Newbie, too! Long, too!
teacher9700
Hi all,
I don't know where to begin here. I want to introduce myself, and I
feel the need to tell you a little bit of my history. Please forgive
me if I ramble and sound a bit melodramatic!
My name is Robin and I have two little ones. My dd is age 5 and my ds
is 2.5. We live in Virginia.
I almost sent my dd to kindergarten this year, but couldn't follow
through. First of all, something just didn't feel right to me about
leaving her in the hands of people that I don't know. I even went to
the main office and requested to interview my daughter's teacher to
be. Of course, you can imagine the response! I guess the irony of it
all is that I *am* a teacher( secondary English/psychology). I knew
*better* than to even ask the question...but some voice inside me just
blurted it out anyway.
You see, I went into "the field" because I wanted to make a
difference. I thought that the *ways* of the system were flawed
(objectives, methodologies); and the college that I attended, I
thought, addressed these flaws. My professors challenged the concept
of standardized testing. Emplement creative alternatives to testing,
they said. Access student personal experience...make what you teach
*relevant*. Give a purpose that is meaningful to the lives of your
students. Portfolio learning. Cooperative learning. Learning across
curriculum. Creativity. I was excited.
Then I became pregnant. Other than a year in "the system" working as
a teacher's assistant while I was pregnant, I, well, kind of forgot
about it....my life went in another direction. My short experience in
the school system was disappointing, and I hoped my experience was a
fluke....surely things weren't that bad everywhere?
So, here I am walking under the "golden arches" called "school of
excellence" at my dds soon to be elementary school; and I think, "This
will be okay. This is a beautiful school. Surely they are a
portfolio; purposeful, relevent minded; cooperative, creative kind of
place!"
I am invited to observe in my dd's future Kindergarten teacher's
class, and my hopeful bubble is politely, but quickly burst. Words
like stressful and SOLs (Standards of Learning) are used. No time for
"one-on-one;" no time for a nurturing environment. One fourth of the
class were "held back" before ever starting school to make sure they
were *ready*, I'm told. Then, on my way out, I see a pile of papers in
the handwriting of these children in this classroom, who had copied
sentences from off the board.... and one with red marks all over it.
That image is stuck in my mind.
Okay, so we're not going back; and I'm left wondering what happened in
the schools....I was so hopeful...I thought by now....the "ways" of
the system.... It wasn't until I joined a local homeschool chat group
that I even began to think that it wasn't the "ways' of the system,
but the *system itself*.... and, that I might just be "bringing it all
home," so to speak.
So, now I'm here wanting to unschool (think I'm the one that needs the
"unschooling" though...my dd pretty much knows how). I hope I haven't
annoyed you all to much with my ramblings....It's just that I've been
through such a shift in consciousness in just a few months, and I
guess I'm trying to dump it all here and re-arrange. HOpe you don't
mind helping *me* unschool!
Thanks for listening,
Robin
I don't know where to begin here. I want to introduce myself, and I
feel the need to tell you a little bit of my history. Please forgive
me if I ramble and sound a bit melodramatic!
My name is Robin and I have two little ones. My dd is age 5 and my ds
is 2.5. We live in Virginia.
I almost sent my dd to kindergarten this year, but couldn't follow
through. First of all, something just didn't feel right to me about
leaving her in the hands of people that I don't know. I even went to
the main office and requested to interview my daughter's teacher to
be. Of course, you can imagine the response! I guess the irony of it
all is that I *am* a teacher( secondary English/psychology). I knew
*better* than to even ask the question...but some voice inside me just
blurted it out anyway.
You see, I went into "the field" because I wanted to make a
difference. I thought that the *ways* of the system were flawed
(objectives, methodologies); and the college that I attended, I
thought, addressed these flaws. My professors challenged the concept
of standardized testing. Emplement creative alternatives to testing,
they said. Access student personal experience...make what you teach
*relevant*. Give a purpose that is meaningful to the lives of your
students. Portfolio learning. Cooperative learning. Learning across
curriculum. Creativity. I was excited.
Then I became pregnant. Other than a year in "the system" working as
a teacher's assistant while I was pregnant, I, well, kind of forgot
about it....my life went in another direction. My short experience in
the school system was disappointing, and I hoped my experience was a
fluke....surely things weren't that bad everywhere?
So, here I am walking under the "golden arches" called "school of
excellence" at my dds soon to be elementary school; and I think, "This
will be okay. This is a beautiful school. Surely they are a
portfolio; purposeful, relevent minded; cooperative, creative kind of
place!"
I am invited to observe in my dd's future Kindergarten teacher's
class, and my hopeful bubble is politely, but quickly burst. Words
like stressful and SOLs (Standards of Learning) are used. No time for
"one-on-one;" no time for a nurturing environment. One fourth of the
class were "held back" before ever starting school to make sure they
were *ready*, I'm told. Then, on my way out, I see a pile of papers in
the handwriting of these children in this classroom, who had copied
sentences from off the board.... and one with red marks all over it.
That image is stuck in my mind.
Okay, so we're not going back; and I'm left wondering what happened in
the schools....I was so hopeful...I thought by now....the "ways" of
the system.... It wasn't until I joined a local homeschool chat group
that I even began to think that it wasn't the "ways' of the system,
but the *system itself*.... and, that I might just be "bringing it all
home," so to speak.
So, now I'm here wanting to unschool (think I'm the one that needs the
"unschooling" though...my dd pretty much knows how). I hope I haven't
annoyed you all to much with my ramblings....It's just that I've been
through such a shift in consciousness in just a few months, and I
guess I'm trying to dump it all here and re-arrange. HOpe you don't
mind helping *me* unschool!
Thanks for listening,
Robin
[email protected]
In a message dated 9/1/02 8:14:55 PM, robin9700@... writes:
<< HOpe you don't
mind helping *me* unschool! >>
Have you already read-up www.unschooling.com?
If you finish all that, maybe
sandradodd.com/articles
and
follow some of the links at
sandradodd.com/unschooling if you're still in a reading mood!
Welcome (from another former secondary English teacher who minored in
psychology)
Sandra
<< HOpe you don't
mind helping *me* unschool! >>
Have you already read-up www.unschooling.com?
If you finish all that, maybe
sandradodd.com/articles
and
follow some of the links at
sandradodd.com/unschooling if you're still in a reading mood!
Welcome (from another former secondary English teacher who minored in
psychology)
Sandra
[email protected]
In a message dated 9/1/02 9:14:55 PM Central Daylight Time, robin9700@...
writes:
know how. You are already way ahead in your journey and I think you will do
great!
~Nancy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
writes:
> So, now I'm here wanting to unschool (think I'm the one that needs theRobin, I think you've got it! We are the Unschoolers. Our children do already
> "unschooling" though...my dd pretty much knows how). I hope I haven't
> annoyed you all to much with my ramblings....It's just that I've been
> through such a shift in consciousness in just a few months, and I
> guess I'm trying to dump it all here and re-arrange. HOpe you don't
> mind helping *me* unschool!
>
> Thanks for listening,
> Robin
know how. You are already way ahead in your journey and I think you will do
great!
~Nancy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 9/1/2002 10:31:24 PM Eastern Standard Time,
SandraDodd@... writes:
Reading Gatto's "UNderground History," as well. Think I understand (live
life fully and learning as they go...like offering a smorgesbord ?), but its
the fear of letting go and trusting. I managed to do this regarding the
infant, toddler development stuff...couldn't follow "the book, " so threw it
out, if that makes sense. But, now I do feel pressure to perform and for dd
to perform ( mostly from dh, but a part of me, as well).
Robin
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
SandraDodd@... writes:
> Have you already read-up www.unschooling.com?Yes. Pulled quite a few articles this weekend and read...and still reading.
>
> If you finish all that, maybe
>
> sandradodd.com/articles
> and
> follow some of the links at
> sandradodd.com/unschooling if you're still in a reading mood!
>
Reading Gatto's "UNderground History," as well. Think I understand (live
life fully and learning as they go...like offering a smorgesbord ?), but its
the fear of letting go and trusting. I managed to do this regarding the
infant, toddler development stuff...couldn't follow "the book, " so threw it
out, if that makes sense. But, now I do feel pressure to perform and for dd
to perform ( mostly from dh, but a part of me, as well).
Robin
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 9/1/2002 10:54:34 PM Eastern Standard Time,
Dnowens@... writes:
Robin
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Dnowens@... writes:
> Robin, I think you've got it! We are the Unschoolers. Our children doThanks, NAncy. Needed to hear that.
> already
> know how.
Robin
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Gerard Westenberg
<But, now I do feel pressure to perform and for dd
to perform ( mostly from dh, but a part of me, as well).>
As a new unschooler, it has been very helpful for me to rad a lot about unschooling and to really observe my kids. I like Teach Your Own by John Holt, the whole unschooling.com message boards :-), Childs Work by Nancy Wallace, amongst others. Keeping an occasional journal/log was also helpful - I could look back and see where my kids had been, exoerience and learning wise, that is...Leonie W.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
to perform ( mostly from dh, but a part of me, as well).>
As a new unschooler, it has been very helpful for me to rad a lot about unschooling and to really observe my kids. I like Teach Your Own by John Holt, the whole unschooling.com message boards :-), Childs Work by Nancy Wallace, amongst others. Keeping an occasional journal/log was also helpful - I could look back and see where my kids had been, exoerience and learning wise, that is...Leonie W.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 9/1/2002 11:47:50 PM Eastern Standard Time,
westen@... writes:
there is quite a bit of info out there. Kinda overwhelmed with it all, so
specific suggestions do help. The journal/log sounds like a good idea.
I'll just have to remember to keep it simple, or I will go overboard with it
and burn out...every little detail kind of person!
Robin
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
westen@... writes:
> <But, now I do feel pressure to perform and for ddThanks Leonie. Funny, I didn't know this whole "concept" even existed and
> to perform ( mostly from dh, but a part of me, as well).>
>
> As a new unschooler, it has been very helpful for me to rad a lot about
> unschooling and to really observe my kids. I like Teach Your Own by John
> Holt, the whole unschooling.com message boards :-), Childs Work by Nancy
> Wallace, amongst others. Keeping an occasional journal/log was also helpful
> - I could look back and see where my kids had been, exoerience and
> learning wise, that is...Leonie W.
>
there is quite a bit of info out there. Kinda overwhelmed with it all, so
specific suggestions do help. The journal/log sounds like a good idea.
I'll just have to remember to keep it simple, or I will go overboard with it
and burn out...every little detail kind of person!
Robin
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Linda Greene
HI ROBIN!!!!
Linda Greene
Linda Greene
----- Original Message -----
From: teacher9700
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, September 01, 2002 10:14 PM
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Newbie, too! Long, too!
Hi all,
I don't know where to begin here. I want to introduce myself, and I
feel the need to tell you a little bit of my history. Please forgive
me if I ramble and sound a bit melodramatic!
My name is Robin and I have two little ones. My dd is age 5 and my ds
is 2.5. We live in Virginia.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Liza Sabater
Welcome Robin!
What a better opportunity to suggest this month's Home Education
Magazine --it is all about not going back to school. Sandra has an
article about deschooling and my contribution is "Taking the School
out of Homeschool". So many people contributed their stories for this
article that the wisdom in it is really from the homeschooling
community.
And what is that wisdom, you may ask? That homeschooling,
unschooling, deschooling, is a process that the parents HAVE TO go
through as much as their children. So, yes, welcome to the newbie
section (I am a newbie as well). Just sit back an enjoy the
deschooling ride.
Best,
Liza
What a better opportunity to suggest this month's Home Education
Magazine --it is all about not going back to school. Sandra has an
article about deschooling and my contribution is "Taking the School
out of Homeschool". So many people contributed their stories for this
article that the wisdom in it is really from the homeschooling
community.
And what is that wisdom, you may ask? That homeschooling,
unschooling, deschooling, is a process that the parents HAVE TO go
through as much as their children. So, yes, welcome to the newbie
section (I am a newbie as well). Just sit back an enjoy the
deschooling ride.
Best,
Liza
>So, now I'm here wanting to unschool (think I'm the one that needs the[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>"unschooling" though...my dd pretty much knows how). I hope I haven't
>annoyed you all to much with my ramblings....It's just that I've been
>through such a shift in consciousness in just a few months, and I
>guess I'm trying to dump it all here and re-arrange. HOpe you don't
>mind helping *me* unschool!
>
>Thanks for listening,
>Robin
>
Shyrley
On 2 Sep 02, at 9:55, Linda Greene wrote:
the list. Where shall I move to next....
Shyrley
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
> HI ROBIN!!!!I'm a bad influence. All these people from Virginia suddenly joining
>
> Linda Greene
the list. Where shall I move to next....
Shyrley
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
Linda Greene
You're not allowed to move!!! ;o)
Linda
Linda
----- Original Message -----
From: Shyrley
To: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, September 02, 2002 12:29 PM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Newbie, too! Long, too!
On 2 Sep 02, at 9:55, Linda Greene wrote:
> HI ROBIN!!!!
>
> Linda Greene
I'm a bad influence. All these people from Virginia suddenly joining
the list. Where shall I move to next....
Shyrley
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
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[email protected]
In a message dated 9/2/2002 12:29:55 PM Eastern Standard Time,
shyrley.williams@... writes:
Robin
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
shyrley.williams@... writes:
> On 2 Sep 02, at 9:55, Linda Greene wrote:Hi there, you two! Yep, I followed you here!
>
> >HI ROBIN!!!!
> >
> >Linda Greene
>
> I'm a bad influence. All these people from Virginia suddenly joining
> the list. Where shall I move to next....
>
> Shyrley
Robin
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kelli Traaseth
Gee Shyrley.....is that's the case, please move north!!!!
Kelli in Minnesota
Shyrley wrote:On 2 Sep 02, at 9:55, Linda Greene wrote:
the list. Where shall I move to next....
Shyrley
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
Yahoo! Groups SponsorADVERTISEMENT
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kelli in Minnesota
Shyrley wrote:On 2 Sep 02, at 9:55, Linda Greene wrote:
> HI ROBIN!!!!I'm a bad influence. All these people from Virginia suddenly joining
>
> Linda Greene
the list. Where shall I move to next....
Shyrley
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
Yahoo! Groups SponsorADVERTISEMENT
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kelli Traaseth
oh sorry,,if that's the case, is what I meant!
Kelli Traaseth wrote:
Gee Shyrley.....is that's the case, please move north!!!!
Kelli in Minnesota
Shyrley wrote:On 2 Sep 02, at 9:55, Linda Greene wrote:
the list. Where shall I move to next....
Shyrley
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
Yahoo! Groups SponsorADVERTISEMENT
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kelli Traaseth wrote:
Gee Shyrley.....is that's the case, please move north!!!!
Kelli in Minnesota
Shyrley wrote:On 2 Sep 02, at 9:55, Linda Greene wrote:
> HI ROBIN!!!!I'm a bad influence. All these people from Virginia suddenly joining
>
> Linda Greene
the list. Where shall I move to next....
Shyrley
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
Yahoo! Groups SponsorADVERTISEMENT
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Shyrley
On 2 Sep 02, at 14:24, Linda Greene wrote:
brit. You got to remember I come from the land of rain.
Shyrley
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
> You're not allowed to move!!! ;o)But I want snow and cooler summers!!!! Virginia is too hot for this
>
> Linda
brit. You got to remember I come from the land of rain.
Shyrley
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
Kelli Traaseth
Shyrley-There ya go, Minnesota is your answer!
Kelli
Shyrley wrote:On 2 Sep 02, at 14:24, Linda Greene wrote:
brit. You got to remember I come from the land of rain.
Shyrley
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kelli
Shyrley wrote:On 2 Sep 02, at 14:24, Linda Greene wrote:
> You're not allowed to move!!! ;o)But I want snow and cooler summers!!!! Virginia is too hot for this
>
> Linda
brit. You got to remember I come from the land of rain.
Shyrley
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Tia Leschke
>You'd like it here on Vancouver Island. Or Seattle for that matter.
>
>But I want snow and cooler summers!!!! Virginia is too hot for this
>brit. You got to remember I come from the land of rain.
Tia
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Eleanor Roosevelt
*********************************************
Tia Leschke
leschke@...
On Vancouver Island
Shyrley
On 2 Sep 02, at 16:06, Tia Leschke wrote:
made myself ill i'd consider moving there.
Shyrley
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
>Several people have told me that. If I wasn't so homesick that I've
> >
> >
> >But I want snow and cooler summers!!!! Virginia is too hot for this
> >brit. You got to remember I come from the land of rain.
>
> You'd like it here on Vancouver Island. Or Seattle for that matter.
> Tia
>
made myself ill i'd consider moving there.
Shyrley
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
[email protected]
In a message dated 9/2/02 5:03:46 PM, shyrley.williams@... writes:
<< But I want snow and cooler summers!!!! >>
<< But I want snow and cooler summers!!!! >>
[email protected]
In a message dated 9/2/02 5:07:10 PM, leschke@... writes:
<< You'd like it here on Vancouver Island. Or Seattle for that matter. >>
You get snow?
I was thinking she'd like northern Colorado or Utah, at a highish elevation.
Sandra
<< You'd like it here on Vancouver Island. Or Seattle for that matter. >>
You get snow?
I was thinking she'd like northern Colorado or Utah, at a highish elevation.
Sandra
Tia Leschke
>In a message dated 9/2/02 5:07:10 PM, leschke@... writes:Most years, a little bit. I was thinking the climate is much like England.
>
><< You'd like it here on Vancouver Island. Or Seattle for that matter. >>
>
>You get snow?
Tia
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Eleanor Roosevelt
*********************************************
Tia Leschke
leschke@...
On Vancouver Island