school/home/school/home
TIM LANDRETH
Well, the boys are back home again. I have 5 children; 3 boys- 11, 10, 9 and 2
girls- 6 and 3. We have tried various schooling methods: p.s., hs, p.s., a one-rm
rural schoolhouse (yes they still exist!), hs, and just until Friday, parochial
school. In that order.
When they were home, I tried my best to unschool but kept having nagging doubts. In
my heart of hearts I believed that this was the way to go. But, I was/am still
under the shackles of the system. It is hard to break a lifetime of
manipulation--hmm, "thought control" as George Orwell said in 1984. During the
course of our educational trials, we as a family, converted to Catholicism. So, I
thought, "Well, I haven't given the Catholic schools a try. They are suppose to be
so good in our Diocese." So, against my boy's will, we went and looked at the
school the first week of Sept. and agreed w/the school to do a two month trial. I'm
here to tell you: It's still school no matter how one tries to color it. Actually,
it was a great learning experience for us. Myself and the boys have gotten a better
appreciation for what we had at home. And, it proved to me that unschooling works!
My 6 yr old daughter although *loves* it! It's kindergarten, she has friends and is
still going to continue. Actually, she's why I considered it in the first place.
She *really* wanted to go to school. Well, I told her she could finish kindergarten
and then next year--it's home. I realize I'll then have to deschool her. The thing
that bugs me about this kindergarten is *everything* is rewarded--usually with
candy. It's not enough to do a good job in and of itself.
What does dh think? Well since he refuses to read/listen to tapes on anything
related to school/homeschool (he says he doesn't have time) he has left the
nitty-gritty details up to me. I thank him for this because I'm the one who has
lived/done all the research and continue to do so. He is annoyed that we keep
"changing our minds" and fear that the kids will learn to be quitters. I don't see
us as quitters. We try something, if it doesn't work we give ourselves *permission*
to try another option. That is not quitting in my book.
And of course, this has not come without a lot of stress! In fact I'm sitting here
typing this at 5:30 am after having been roaming the house since 2:30 am unable to
sleep. Can I stop being an adult now? :-)
Suzy
girls- 6 and 3. We have tried various schooling methods: p.s., hs, p.s., a one-rm
rural schoolhouse (yes they still exist!), hs, and just until Friday, parochial
school. In that order.
When they were home, I tried my best to unschool but kept having nagging doubts. In
my heart of hearts I believed that this was the way to go. But, I was/am still
under the shackles of the system. It is hard to break a lifetime of
manipulation--hmm, "thought control" as George Orwell said in 1984. During the
course of our educational trials, we as a family, converted to Catholicism. So, I
thought, "Well, I haven't given the Catholic schools a try. They are suppose to be
so good in our Diocese." So, against my boy's will, we went and looked at the
school the first week of Sept. and agreed w/the school to do a two month trial. I'm
here to tell you: It's still school no matter how one tries to color it. Actually,
it was a great learning experience for us. Myself and the boys have gotten a better
appreciation for what we had at home. And, it proved to me that unschooling works!
My 6 yr old daughter although *loves* it! It's kindergarten, she has friends and is
still going to continue. Actually, she's why I considered it in the first place.
She *really* wanted to go to school. Well, I told her she could finish kindergarten
and then next year--it's home. I realize I'll then have to deschool her. The thing
that bugs me about this kindergarten is *everything* is rewarded--usually with
candy. It's not enough to do a good job in and of itself.
What does dh think? Well since he refuses to read/listen to tapes on anything
related to school/homeschool (he says he doesn't have time) he has left the
nitty-gritty details up to me. I thank him for this because I'm the one who has
lived/done all the research and continue to do so. He is annoyed that we keep
"changing our minds" and fear that the kids will learn to be quitters. I don't see
us as quitters. We try something, if it doesn't work we give ourselves *permission*
to try another option. That is not quitting in my book.
And of course, this has not come without a lot of stress! In fact I'm sitting here
typing this at 5:30 am after having been roaming the house since 2:30 am unable to
sleep. Can I stop being an adult now? :-)
Suzy
Joel Hawthorne
Suzy,
Have you read "Punished by Rewards". It details how rewards destroy inherent, internal
motivation. Couldn't you arrange play dates for your little one instead of
kindergarten? Or maybe you could give a copy of "Punished by Rewards" to the
kindergarten teacher. Hope springs eternal. I am glad that you aren't afraid to change
your mind. I hope your husband continues to at least stay out of the way and doesn't
panic. Unschooling is not an experiment really.
best wishes
Joel
For a wonderful gift possibility and to support a great cause check out:
http://www.naturalchild.com/calendar_pictures.html
All children behave as well as they are treated. The Natural Child
Project http://naturalchild.com/home/
Have you read "Punished by Rewards". It details how rewards destroy inherent, internal
motivation. Couldn't you arrange play dates for your little one instead of
kindergarten? Or maybe you could give a copy of "Punished by Rewards" to the
kindergarten teacher. Hope springs eternal. I am glad that you aren't afraid to change
your mind. I hope your husband continues to at least stay out of the way and doesn't
panic. Unschooling is not an experiment really.
best wishes
Joel
For a wonderful gift possibility and to support a great cause check out:
http://www.naturalchild.com/calendar_pictures.html
All children behave as well as they are treated. The Natural Child
Project http://naturalchild.com/home/
[email protected]
In a message dated 10/31/99 5:33:53 AM Eastern Standard Time,
TLANDRETH@... writes:
<< And of course, this has not come without a lot of stress! In fact I'm
sitting here
typing this at 5:30 am after having been roaming the house since 2:30 am
unable to
sleep. Can I stop being an adult now? :-) >>
Oh Suzy don't feel alone! You have just wrote our school history.I can't
believe someone else has taken this crooked path. I want to stay where we are
now, hsing.
I understand everything you said, the doubts, fear. Wow! My dh is a bit more
anti hsing though he is coming along because in his heart he knows we have
found nothing better and that what he wishes were out there is merely an
illusion.One that is soon snapped once we enter it.Whew, enough said.
Laura
TLANDRETH@... writes:
<< And of course, this has not come without a lot of stress! In fact I'm
sitting here
typing this at 5:30 am after having been roaming the house since 2:30 am
unable to
sleep. Can I stop being an adult now? :-) >>
Oh Suzy don't feel alone! You have just wrote our school history.I can't
believe someone else has taken this crooked path. I want to stay where we are
now, hsing.
I understand everything you said, the doubts, fear. Wow! My dh is a bit more
anti hsing though he is coming along because in his heart he knows we have
found nothing better and that what he wishes were out there is merely an
illusion.One that is soon snapped once we enter it.Whew, enough said.
Laura
[email protected]
In a message dated 10/31/99 8:12:15 AM Eastern Standard Time,
jhawthorne@... writes:
<< Have you read "Punished by Rewards". It details how rewards destroy
inherent, internal
motivation. >>
I still laugh when I think of 8yro in Kindergarten. It was a private
kindergarten which as the yr progressed I referred to as college prep
kindgrtn. They where using a 1-2 grade curriculum. In October, the teacher
called me in for a conference and suggested I hold my son back the following
yr for another yr of kndgtn. In October?
I had already held him back a yr. They also suggested a tutor for the summer.
These people were dead serious.
Anyway the teacher had cards they had to flip when they were bad. They
went from green, to yellow, to red. My son always ended up on red. The
infractions were so petty. Son figured out he couldn't care less. "All they
give you when your good is some plastic junk" he told me. There were kids
however that were devastated by red. I felt sorry for them. I also got angry
because while on field trips I got the message from the kids that they all
thought my son was a bad kid. Because of this teachers stupid punishment my
little guy was being unfairly labeled, as where a few others.
Sorry I did not mean to go on so, guess it all still makes me mad. I did
stand up to this woman and tell her I did not agree with her at all. I had
grown children so I knew that what they were all uptight over would pass.
Laura
jhawthorne@... writes:
<< Have you read "Punished by Rewards". It details how rewards destroy
inherent, internal
motivation. >>
I still laugh when I think of 8yro in Kindergarten. It was a private
kindergarten which as the yr progressed I referred to as college prep
kindgrtn. They where using a 1-2 grade curriculum. In October, the teacher
called me in for a conference and suggested I hold my son back the following
yr for another yr of kndgtn. In October?
I had already held him back a yr. They also suggested a tutor for the summer.
These people were dead serious.
Anyway the teacher had cards they had to flip when they were bad. They
went from green, to yellow, to red. My son always ended up on red. The
infractions were so petty. Son figured out he couldn't care less. "All they
give you when your good is some plastic junk" he told me. There were kids
however that were devastated by red. I felt sorry for them. I also got angry
because while on field trips I got the message from the kids that they all
thought my son was a bad kid. Because of this teachers stupid punishment my
little guy was being unfairly labeled, as where a few others.
Sorry I did not mean to go on so, guess it all still makes me mad. I did
stand up to this woman and tell her I did not agree with her at all. I had
grown children so I knew that what they were all uptight over would pass.
Laura
[email protected]
In a message dated 10/31/99 9:25:24 AM Eastern Standard Time,
jagwirtz@... writes:
<< So, no matter how stressed and confused I was
feeling, I worked really hard at walking the walk and talking the
talk - and you know what, before I could convince myself, my
children convinced me. >>
Did your kids ever feel as though they weren't doing anything? When I try
to give mine the space they complain they aren't learning anything. Read that
"You aren't directing what we do. I am still working around a fence sitter
dh. He has insisted they be put them back before against my wishes. So I fell
like I still have to do some directing. I still feel as though we are making
some progress though
Laura
jagwirtz@... writes:
<< So, no matter how stressed and confused I was
feeling, I worked really hard at walking the walk and talking the
talk - and you know what, before I could convince myself, my
children convinced me. >>
Did your kids ever feel as though they weren't doing anything? When I try
to give mine the space they complain they aren't learning anything. Read that
"You aren't directing what we do. I am still working around a fence sitter
dh. He has insisted they be put them back before against my wishes. So I fell
like I still have to do some directing. I still feel as though we are making
some progress though
Laura
Jeff & Diane Gwirtz
Suzy,
I can identify with the wishy-washy thing. I tend to be someone that
always wants to analyze all sides to make my decision and I end up
being indecisive. Still, after reading about unschooling, I realized
that it would only work if I had faith in my children's abilities to
learn in this way. So, no matter how stressed and confused I was
feeling, I worked really hard at walking the walk and talking the
talk - and you know what, before I could convince myself, my
children convinced me. Now it's out of my hands. My youngest is 13
- this is his 4th year out of school. He elected to try 7th grade
last year because he was curious about changing classes etc. He
stayed for one quarter and that was it. He always has the choice.
Our agreement is that he can choose to return to ps and come home
whenever he wants, but once he's home that's where he stays for the
year. Of course, he says he's never going back. I remember
thinking that if unschooling wasn't a good fit for us, we'd switch
gears for high school. Well.........like I said it's out of my hands
now. He BELIEVES and that's what's important.
I think your boys have come home at a good time - before the *joys*
of middle school. Some people will disagree with me, but I believe
that my kids deserve the choice and I let them make it. Your kids
have been in school, they even experienced different schools. They
have a lot of knowledge about both sides of the fence. I'll bet
they're more than capable of leading their education. Don't forget,
though, they may need some major deschooling time. Enjoy them!
Diane in KS
I can identify with the wishy-washy thing. I tend to be someone that
always wants to analyze all sides to make my decision and I end up
being indecisive. Still, after reading about unschooling, I realized
that it would only work if I had faith in my children's abilities to
learn in this way. So, no matter how stressed and confused I was
feeling, I worked really hard at walking the walk and talking the
talk - and you know what, before I could convince myself, my
children convinced me. Now it's out of my hands. My youngest is 13
- this is his 4th year out of school. He elected to try 7th grade
last year because he was curious about changing classes etc. He
stayed for one quarter and that was it. He always has the choice.
Our agreement is that he can choose to return to ps and come home
whenever he wants, but once he's home that's where he stays for the
year. Of course, he says he's never going back. I remember
thinking that if unschooling wasn't a good fit for us, we'd switch
gears for high school. Well.........like I said it's out of my hands
now. He BELIEVES and that's what's important.
I think your boys have come home at a good time - before the *joys*
of middle school. Some people will disagree with me, but I believe
that my kids deserve the choice and I let them make it. Your kids
have been in school, they even experienced different schools. They
have a lot of knowledge about both sides of the fence. I'll bet
they're more than capable of leading their education. Don't forget,
though, they may need some major deschooling time. Enjoy them!
Diane in KS
Tracy Oldfield
I had to add to this, last week, at a home-ed group meeting, a newbie came
with her grandson, diagnosed ADHD, on Ritalin, (btw, any info on dietary
control would be very welcome, it's been on here before, I think but I'm on
digest so I can't find it.) She was telling us about the 'discipline'
system in the 'good' school (with strong Church of England ties, not that
that has any bearing really,) he was at. The children were made to wear
yellow and then red bands. This child now has a complex about yellow. The
system has since been scrapped, and replaced with a card scheme, where the
child is given a yellow card for an infringement, and a red card for a
second, when they have to leave the playground (this is at breaktime) This
means that the children have to carry the card around with them while they
are playing, and there is probably a penalty for losing the card. Do these
people have ANY idea what this did to this child? Not a clue. And would
they accept that he had any problem, no, he was a naughty child. Did the
recommendations of a psychologist get followed? Did they heck!!! And folk
ask me why I don't want my kids in the system!! ARRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!
Vent over!!
Tracy
with her grandson, diagnosed ADHD, on Ritalin, (btw, any info on dietary
control would be very welcome, it's been on here before, I think but I'm on
digest so I can't find it.) She was telling us about the 'discipline'
system in the 'good' school (with strong Church of England ties, not that
that has any bearing really,) he was at. The children were made to wear
yellow and then red bands. This child now has a complex about yellow. The
system has since been scrapped, and replaced with a card scheme, where the
child is given a yellow card for an infringement, and a red card for a
second, when they have to leave the playground (this is at breaktime) This
means that the children have to carry the card around with them while they
are playing, and there is probably a penalty for losing the card. Do these
people have ANY idea what this did to this child? Not a clue. And would
they accept that he had any problem, no, he was a naughty child. Did the
recommendations of a psychologist get followed? Did they heck!!! And folk
ask me why I don't want my kids in the system!! ARRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!
Vent over!!
Tracy
> From: Bonknit@...following
> Subject: Re: school/home/school/home
>
> In a message dated 10/31/99 8:12:15 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> jhawthorne@... writes:
>
> << Have you read "Punished by Rewards". It details how rewards destroy
> inherent, internal
> motivation. >>
>
> I still laugh when I think of 8yro in Kindergarten. It was a private
> kindergarten which as the yr progressed I referred to as college prep
> kindgrtn. They where using a 1-2 grade curriculum. In October, the teacher
> called me in for a conference and suggested I hold my son back the
> yr for another yr of kndgtn. In October?summer.
> I had already held him back a yr. They also suggested a tutor for the
> These people were dead serious.they
> Anyway the teacher had cards they had to flip when they were bad. They
> went from green, to yellow, to red. My son always ended up on red. The
> infractions were so petty. Son figured out he couldn't care less. "All
> give you when your good is some plastic junk" he told me. There were kidsangry
> however that were devastated by red. I felt sorry for them. I also got
> because while on field trips I got the message from the kids that they allmy
> thought my son was a bad kid. Because of this teachers stupid punishment
> little guy was being unfairly labeled, as where a few others.
> Sorry I did not mean to go on so, guess it all still makes me mad. I did
> stand up to this woman and tell her I did not agree with her at all. I had
> grown children so I knew that what they were all uptight over would pass.
>
> Laura
>
>
>
[email protected]
In a message dated 11/1/99 5:53:35 PM CST, Tracy@...-online.co.uk
writes:
<< The
system has since been scrapped, and replaced with a card scheme, where the
child is given a yellow card for an infringement, and a red card for a
second, when they have to leave the playground (this is at breaktime) This
means that the children have to carry the card around with them while they
are playing, and there is probably a penalty for losing the card. Do these
people have ANY idea what this did to this child? >>
I went through the same thing with my son while he was in Kdg. They often
made him sit in the principal's office, in the corner, during recess. When I
explained that it only made his behavior worse because it took away the main
outlet for expending energy, they laughed at me! And he had gotten rowdy
during lunch so often (probably from those lost recess times) that they sat
him at the "Trouble Table" permanently everyday!!! So, I don't feel they
think what the reprocussions are over the long-term, they just want immediate
peace in the class. Something the principal of my son's school told me, "This
teacher can only handle one problem student in her class of 30 and she
already has one..."
Blessings, Lori in TX
writes:
<< The
system has since been scrapped, and replaced with a card scheme, where the
child is given a yellow card for an infringement, and a red card for a
second, when they have to leave the playground (this is at breaktime) This
means that the children have to carry the card around with them while they
are playing, and there is probably a penalty for losing the card. Do these
people have ANY idea what this did to this child? >>
I went through the same thing with my son while he was in Kdg. They often
made him sit in the principal's office, in the corner, during recess. When I
explained that it only made his behavior worse because it took away the main
outlet for expending energy, they laughed at me! And he had gotten rowdy
during lunch so often (probably from those lost recess times) that they sat
him at the "Trouble Table" permanently everyday!!! So, I don't feel they
think what the reprocussions are over the long-term, they just want immediate
peace in the class. Something the principal of my son's school told me, "This
teacher can only handle one problem student in her class of 30 and she
already has one..."
Blessings, Lori in TX
[email protected]
My dh worries about them becoming "quitters" too. We have tried some
classes from time to time, but none of them have worked out long term. I
would sure be reluctant to try anything new if I were forced to continue
it no matter what! We all deserve the right to change plans if something
isn't working for us!
Mary Ellen
Neglect Not The Gift That Is In Thee
Suzy writes>> He is annoyed that we keep "changing our minds" and fear
that the kids will learn to be quitters. I don't see us as quitters. We
try something, if it doesn't work we give ourselves *permission* to try
another option. That is not quitting in my book.
___________________________________________________________________
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classes from time to time, but none of them have worked out long term. I
would sure be reluctant to try anything new if I were forced to continue
it no matter what! We all deserve the right to change plans if something
isn't working for us!
Mary Ellen
Neglect Not The Gift That Is In Thee
Suzy writes>> He is annoyed that we keep "changing our minds" and fear
that the kids will learn to be quitters. I don't see us as quitters. We
try something, if it doesn't work we give ourselves *permission* to try
another option. That is not quitting in my book.
___________________________________________________________________
Get the Internet just the way you want it.
Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month!
Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.
[email protected]
In a message dated 11/2/99 2:28:16 PM Eastern Standard Time, megates@...
writes:
<< My dh worries about them becoming "quitters" too. We have tried some
classes from time to time, but none of them have worked out long term. I
would sure be reluctant to try anything new if I were forced to continue
it no matter what! We all deserve the right to change plans if something
isn't working for us!
Mary Ellen >>
We have done the same. Through trial and error we have found one great
art class. We have tried and left several others. I used to worry about this
until I thought about it. When my kids were in school they had to take a
class whether they benefited from it or not, that's just the way it was.
Since I'm usually paying for it I'm going to make sure they like the class
and that it's quality. That's my prerogative now.
Laura
writes:
<< My dh worries about them becoming "quitters" too. We have tried some
classes from time to time, but none of them have worked out long term. I
would sure be reluctant to try anything new if I were forced to continue
it no matter what! We all deserve the right to change plans if something
isn't working for us!
Mary Ellen >>
We have done the same. Through trial and error we have found one great
art class. We have tried and left several others. I used to worry about this
until I thought about it. When my kids were in school they had to take a
class whether they benefited from it or not, that's just the way it was.
Since I'm usually paying for it I'm going to make sure they like the class
and that it's quality. That's my prerogative now.
Laura
Thomas and Nanci Kuykendall
><< My dh worries about them becoming "quitters" too.What a breath of fresh air from the way I was raised. I too believe that
>When my kids were in school they had to take a
>class whether they benefited from it or not, that's just the way it was.
>Since I'm usually paying for it I'm going to make sure they like the class
>and that it's quality. That's my prerogative now.
your children's enjoyment should be of paramount concern when choosing
classes and activities and deciding whether or not to continue with them.
When I was a very small child my mother started me in ballet classes, even
though I had expressed no interest in them, was not a dancer and adamantly
resisted going. She finally gave up after a few weeks of my resistance,
but as a parent it blows my mind that she could be so calously insensitive
to my feelings, which I made abundantly clear. She thought that because my
older sisters (my father's ex-wife's girls) all attended ballet when they
were little, that I should too. I believe now that it had a lot to do with
her efforts to "look good" in comparison to this first wife. It never
ceases to amaze me how selfishly motivated my mother can be, even when
doing something "for" her children. The sadest and most amazing thing
about her attitude to me is how very common it is.
Incidentally, I have always had an image of myself as a quitter, not least
because me parents were always telling me what a failure I was. They often
tried to force me to do things, either initiating activities or trying to
force me to finish. They never succeeded. Not even once. Thank the
Goddess that I had such a strong self preservation instinct, as my husband
is amazed that I emerged from that family as intact as I am. I simply
refused to be forced or coerced into doing something I did not want to.
They might succeed in getting me started with the proper threats, etc, but
I would not finish, which they would then use as an illustration of how I
never finished anything. I think it makes much more sense towards a
person's emotional health to teach them that it is OK to not do something
anymore if it is not good for them, or they do not enjoy it. There are so
many people in this world who do not give themselves permission to stop
doing things that are causing problems in their life.
Nanci K.
[email protected]
In a message dated 11/3/99 11:10:49 AM Eastern Standard Time,
tn-k4of5@... writes:
<< There are so
many people in this world who do not give themselves permission to stop
doing things that are causing problems in their life.
follow an idea all the way through, though many times I do. "BUT" my sister
said to me one day, "I wish I were more like you because at least you start,
I'll never know if I like many things because I can't even start for fear of
failing."
Laura
tn-k4of5@... writes:
<< There are so
many people in this world who do not give themselves permission to stop
doing things that are causing problems in their life.
>>I had thought of myself from time to time as someone who does not always
follow an idea all the way through, though many times I do. "BUT" my sister
said to me one day, "I wish I were more like you because at least you start,
I'll never know if I like many things because I can't even start for fear of
failing."
Laura
[email protected]
Suzy wrote:
<< I don't see
us as quitters. We try something, if it doesn't work we give ourselves
*permission*
to try another option. That is not quitting in my book. >>
Oh, Suzy. I was so glad to read your post. I'm pretty much a lurker on this
and other unschooling lists, but I had to chime in here.
Your life seems to have many parallels to mine. I have six children: four of
them boys, and two close to ages of yours. We, too, as a family, converted
to Catholicism five years ago. My children, too, spent a semester at a
parochial school and I ended up taking them out. I also had a Kindergarten
student at the time who loved it, but we chose to take him out too, probably
more out of convenience than anything else.
I have AGONIZED over my choices again and again. I love the philosophy of
unschooling, and yet I have never been truly able to "let go" with my kids
the way I want to. Sometimes I think it's just having so many children and
so much going on at one time that makes it hard. But, I know it's also my
own "institutionalization."
On another unschooling list recently, someone expressed impatience for people
who seem to have h/s'ed for a long time, but still can't make up their minds
about which way to go. It wasn't directed at me, but it made me feel
terrible, because I fall into that category.
I don't like indecisiveness, but I agree with you, that sometimes we have to
try out different options in order to be stronger about what we do
believe...to add definition. I know that after my children's experience in
parochial school, I was much stronger about my homeschooling.
Hang in there. Maybe we can support each other through doubts, rather than
try to label each other by the actions that are taken...
Carol from WI
<< I don't see
us as quitters. We try something, if it doesn't work we give ourselves
*permission*
to try another option. That is not quitting in my book. >>
Oh, Suzy. I was so glad to read your post. I'm pretty much a lurker on this
and other unschooling lists, but I had to chime in here.
Your life seems to have many parallels to mine. I have six children: four of
them boys, and two close to ages of yours. We, too, as a family, converted
to Catholicism five years ago. My children, too, spent a semester at a
parochial school and I ended up taking them out. I also had a Kindergarten
student at the time who loved it, but we chose to take him out too, probably
more out of convenience than anything else.
I have AGONIZED over my choices again and again. I love the philosophy of
unschooling, and yet I have never been truly able to "let go" with my kids
the way I want to. Sometimes I think it's just having so many children and
so much going on at one time that makes it hard. But, I know it's also my
own "institutionalization."
On another unschooling list recently, someone expressed impatience for people
who seem to have h/s'ed for a long time, but still can't make up their minds
about which way to go. It wasn't directed at me, but it made me feel
terrible, because I fall into that category.
I don't like indecisiveness, but I agree with you, that sometimes we have to
try out different options in order to be stronger about what we do
believe...to add definition. I know that after my children's experience in
parochial school, I was much stronger about my homeschooling.
Hang in there. Maybe we can support each other through doubts, rather than
try to label each other by the actions that are taken...
Carol from WI
[email protected]
In a message dated 11/3/99 11:43:40 PM Eastern Standard Time,
Burkfamily@... writes:
<< I know that after my children's experience in
parochial school, I was much stronger about my homeschooling. >>
I feel even stronger after the conversation I overheard at a science
store I was at.
The other two ladies in the store shopping were middle school teachers (I
heard them tell the clerk this) They were talking about how excited another
teacher had been at the beginning of the year. "not since she's seen what we
get, None of these kids are ready to do anything" They went on about kids not
ready to change classes, too big classes and general remarks. When they were
checking out they asked what kind of credentials they might need to work at
this store. They both made it clear that they wanted out of the classroom.
Several times. I left the store so content, if the teachers don't want to be
there why should my kids?
Laura
Burkfamily@... writes:
<< I know that after my children's experience in
parochial school, I was much stronger about my homeschooling. >>
I feel even stronger after the conversation I overheard at a science
store I was at.
The other two ladies in the store shopping were middle school teachers (I
heard them tell the clerk this) They were talking about how excited another
teacher had been at the beginning of the year. "not since she's seen what we
get, None of these kids are ready to do anything" They went on about kids not
ready to change classes, too big classes and general remarks. When they were
checking out they asked what kind of credentials they might need to work at
this store. They both made it clear that they wanted out of the classroom.
Several times. I left the store so content, if the teachers don't want to be
there why should my kids?
Laura