In defense of fluff
Julie Stauffer
We are some of the poor unschoolers living our lives in the midst of very
traditional Christian school-at-homers. I get so tired of hearing about how
TV is terrible and pop culture is evil, the raised eyebrows when the kids
talk about "Spongebob". We spend our days doing whatever makes us happy and
lately that has been marathon sessions of fluff TV. Even I was thinking
perhaps I should offer more activities or something. Then, as it always
does if I can just keep from acting on those niggling doubts, the observable
learning kicked in.
Adriane (11) watched episode after episode of "Changing Rooms." Now little
miss packrat has asked to redecorate her room for her birthday. She has a
theme picked out and has been trying to visualize some of her ideas. She
has spent 3 days sorting, cleaning, remembering through her stuff. Rather
than part with it, she gave it to her younger siblings who are sure
Christmas came early this year.
Zach (9) got her Legos and is laid out in my room building "improved" police
cars that shoot spears out of a canon mounted on the hood, so necessary in
those high-speed chases you know.
Marsie (5) got Adriane's blow pens and has created numerous and varied art
pieces to decorate the refrigerator.
Daniel (3) got a duffle bag that he has filled with all his valuables and
lugged up and down the stairs as he plays with the puppies.
Michelle (3) got lip gloss and stick-on earrings and appears to be a diva in
training.
Everyone is happy and smiling, talking and singing. All it took from me was
patience and elbow room.
Julie
traditional Christian school-at-homers. I get so tired of hearing about how
TV is terrible and pop culture is evil, the raised eyebrows when the kids
talk about "Spongebob". We spend our days doing whatever makes us happy and
lately that has been marathon sessions of fluff TV. Even I was thinking
perhaps I should offer more activities or something. Then, as it always
does if I can just keep from acting on those niggling doubts, the observable
learning kicked in.
Adriane (11) watched episode after episode of "Changing Rooms." Now little
miss packrat has asked to redecorate her room for her birthday. She has a
theme picked out and has been trying to visualize some of her ideas. She
has spent 3 days sorting, cleaning, remembering through her stuff. Rather
than part with it, she gave it to her younger siblings who are sure
Christmas came early this year.
Zach (9) got her Legos and is laid out in my room building "improved" police
cars that shoot spears out of a canon mounted on the hood, so necessary in
those high-speed chases you know.
Marsie (5) got Adriane's blow pens and has created numerous and varied art
pieces to decorate the refrigerator.
Daniel (3) got a duffle bag that he has filled with all his valuables and
lugged up and down the stairs as he plays with the puppies.
Michelle (3) got lip gloss and stick-on earrings and appears to be a diva in
training.
Everyone is happy and smiling, talking and singing. All it took from me was
patience and elbow room.
Julie
Kelli Traaseth
Boy does that sound familiar, you don't happen to be in MN do you? I know so many of my friends are asking me, "Do you have all your books and everything for school?" and I feel like screaming! How many times have I said we don't do it like that?!
We are now enjoying the benefits of Looney Tune babies!
Kelli
Julie Stauffer wrote:We are some of the poor unschoolers living our lives in the midst of very
traditional Christian school-at-homers. I get so tired of hearing about how
TV is terrible and pop culture is evil, the raised eyebrows when the kids
talk about "Spongebob". We spend our days doing whatever makes us happy and
lately that has been marathon sessions of fluff TV. Even I was thinking
perhaps I should offer more activities or something. Then, as it always
does if I can just keep from acting on those niggling doubts, the observable
learning kicked in.
Adriane (11) watched episode after episode of "Changing Rooms." Now little
miss packrat has asked to redecorate her room for her birthday. She has a
theme picked out and has been trying to visualize some of her ideas. She
has spent 3 days sorting, cleaning, remembering through her stuff. Rather
than part with it, she gave it to her younger siblings who are sure
Christmas came early this year.
Zach (9) got her Legos and is laid out in my room building "improved" police
cars that shoot spears out of a canon mounted on the hood, so necessary in
those high-speed chases you know.
Marsie (5) got Adriane's blow pens and has created numerous and varied art
pieces to decorate the refrigerator.
Daniel (3) got a duffle bag that he has filled with all his valuables and
lugged up and down the stairs as he plays with the puppies.
Michelle (3) got lip gloss and stick-on earrings and appears to be a diva in
training.
Everyone is happy and smiling, talking and singing. All it took from me was
patience and elbow room.
Julie
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
We are now enjoying the benefits of Looney Tune babies!
Kelli
Julie Stauffer wrote:We are some of the poor unschoolers living our lives in the midst of very
traditional Christian school-at-homers. I get so tired of hearing about how
TV is terrible and pop culture is evil, the raised eyebrows when the kids
talk about "Spongebob". We spend our days doing whatever makes us happy and
lately that has been marathon sessions of fluff TV. Even I was thinking
perhaps I should offer more activities or something. Then, as it always
does if I can just keep from acting on those niggling doubts, the observable
learning kicked in.
Adriane (11) watched episode after episode of "Changing Rooms." Now little
miss packrat has asked to redecorate her room for her birthday. She has a
theme picked out and has been trying to visualize some of her ideas. She
has spent 3 days sorting, cleaning, remembering through her stuff. Rather
than part with it, she gave it to her younger siblings who are sure
Christmas came early this year.
Zach (9) got her Legos and is laid out in my room building "improved" police
cars that shoot spears out of a canon mounted on the hood, so necessary in
those high-speed chases you know.
Marsie (5) got Adriane's blow pens and has created numerous and varied art
pieces to decorate the refrigerator.
Daniel (3) got a duffle bag that he has filled with all his valuables and
lugged up and down the stairs as he plays with the puppies.
Michelle (3) got lip gloss and stick-on earrings and appears to be a diva in
training.
Everyone is happy and smiling, talking and singing. All it took from me was
patience and elbow room.
Julie
Yahoo! Groups SponsorADVERTISEMENT
~~~~ Don't forget! If you change topics, change the subject line! ~~~~
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
zenmomma *
>>Adriane (11) watched episode after episode of "Changing Rooms." >>Oh I'm addicted too! The current Changing Rooms marathon is the best. :o)
>>Now little miss packrat has asked to redecorate her room for her birthday.Fabulous! Casey and I actually changed rooms for her last week. We needed
>> She has a theme picked out and has been trying to visualize some of her
>>ideas. She has spent 3 days sorting, cleaning, remembering through her
>>stuff. Rather than part with it, she gave it to her younger siblings who
>>are sure Christmas came early this year.>>
something to take our minds off our bunny's sudden death, so we decided to
trade Casey's room with the larger guest room. We accomplished most of it
within 2 days too and on much less than a 500 pound budget. We painted the
new room purple, made curtains and pillows, put a bead trim around an old
light shade, organized, sorted and (like you said so wonderfully) remembered
our way through her stuff. We set up her old room as the new guest room and
even re-set up her museum. It was fun!
>>Everyone is happy and smiling, talking and singing. All it took from meAnd maybe saying yes, it's okay to chose TV if that's what you all want? The
>>was patience and elbow room.>>
joy of yes at work.
Life is good.
~Mary
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In a message dated 9/5/2002 2:07:39 PM Central Standard Time,
kellitraas@... writes:
marvels at what the kids know - they are completely into dinosaurs right now
- and then asks "So, have you started a structured teaching program yet?"
Or, "When are you going to do more formal education?" It kills me. I just
keep repeating my same answers and let it go. He doesn't have children and
doesn't give it much thought, so it's probably just that the same thought
keeps popping into his head and coming out of his mouth.
Elizabeth
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
kellitraas@... writes:
> I know so many of my friends are asking me, "Do you have all your books andWe have a friend who comes over for dinner every couple of weeks. He always
> everything for school?" and I feel like screaming! How many times have I
> said we don't do it like that?!
>
marvels at what the kids know - they are completely into dinosaurs right now
- and then asks "So, have you started a structured teaching program yet?"
Or, "When are you going to do more formal education?" It kills me. I just
keep repeating my same answers and let it go. He doesn't have children and
doesn't give it much thought, so it's probably just that the same thought
keeps popping into his head and coming out of his mouth.
Elizabeth
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 9/5/02 5:57:22 PM Central Daylight Time, curtkar@...
writes:
British one is so very funny! You can see it on BBCA if you get it on
satellite. Trading Spaces is on TLC (I think) or maybe Discovery.
~Nancy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
writes:
> What channel is Changing Rooms on? I haven't seen that one yet.Trading Spaces is the American version of the original British show. The
> But I have been watching Surprise by Design on Discovery. Similar but
> different than Trading Spaces.
>
> Karin
British one is so very funny! You can see it on BBCA if you get it on
satellite. Trading Spaces is on TLC (I think) or maybe Discovery.
~Nancy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Karin
>What channel is Changing Rooms on? I haven't seen that one yet.
> >>Adriane (11) watched episode after episode of "Changing Rooms." >>
>
> Oh I'm addicted too! The current Changing Rooms marathon is the best. :o)
>
But I have been watching Surprise by Design on Discovery. Similar but
different than Trading Spaces.
Karin
Karin
>We have digital cable and I just checked to see what was on BBCA and
>
> > What channel is Changing Rooms on? I haven't seen that one yet.
> > But I have been watching Surprise by Design on Discovery. Similar but
> > different than Trading Spaces.
> >
> > Karin
>
> Trading Spaces is the American version of the original British show. The
> British one is so very funny! You can see it on BBCA if you get it on
> satellite. Trading Spaces is on TLC (I think) or maybe Discovery.
> ~Nancy
>
Changing Rooms is on right now!
Thanks for telling me! :-)
Karin
zenmomma *
>>What channel is Changing Rooms on? I haven't seen that one yet.>>BBC America. It's the British show that Trading Spaces was based on.
Life is good.
~Mary
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In a message dated 09/05/2002 2:40:53 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
zenmomma@... writes:
show.Though, I think I'd scream if someone pput moss or hay on my walls.
Don't they realize that these are great bug habitats?
We're also addicted to Whose Line is is Anyway. There's a British and an
American version. Hilarious and creative.
Carly introduced her grandmother to the show the other day. Typical response,
"It's silly and stupid". I was so proud of my husband's response, "Doesn't
she realize how much Carly loves this show; couldn't she have come up with a
more positive response instead of a put-down?" My daughter handled it well.
"I expect this from Grandma, but I love her anyway".
Carly and Eric are visiting their grandparents in CT this past week. A huge
leap of faith for us -- my husband's mother has definite ideas on
child-rearing. Can be very controlling but is married to a very mellow man.
They're having fun, but I know that Carly can't wait to have us around.
Discussion/talks without criticism for her ideas.
Let's hear it for the fluff in our lives. Makes life fun.
Ginny
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
zenmomma@... writes:
> Oh I'm addicted too! The current Changing Rooms marathon is the best.The other good one is Trading Spaces. Carly and I love watching this
show.Though, I think I'd scream if someone pput moss or hay on my walls.
Don't they realize that these are great bug habitats?
We're also addicted to Whose Line is is Anyway. There's a British and an
American version. Hilarious and creative.
Carly introduced her grandmother to the show the other day. Typical response,
"It's silly and stupid". I was so proud of my husband's response, "Doesn't
she realize how much Carly loves this show; couldn't she have come up with a
more positive response instead of a put-down?" My daughter handled it well.
"I expect this from Grandma, but I love her anyway".
Carly and Eric are visiting their grandparents in CT this past week. A huge
leap of faith for us -- my husband's mother has definite ideas on
child-rearing. Can be very controlling but is married to a very mellow man.
They're having fun, but I know that Carly can't wait to have us around.
Discussion/talks without criticism for her ideas.
Let's hear it for the fluff in our lives. Makes life fun.
Ginny
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 9/6/2002 11:33:11 AM Eastern Standard Time, GDobes@...
writes:
don't know they keep their composure most of the time. I do love watching
the britcoms. Are you being served?, Keeping up Appearances, and Absolutely
Fabulous are my favorites.
BOO-Kay (bucket!) residence, the lady of the house speaking...
Collette
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
writes:
> We're also addicted to Whose Line is is AnywayWe are too, but prefer the American version. The guys are so good. I
don't know they keep their composure most of the time. I do love watching
the britcoms. Are you being served?, Keeping up Appearances, and Absolutely
Fabulous are my favorites.
BOO-Kay (bucket!) residence, the lady of the house speaking...
Collette
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Shyrley
On 6 Sep 02, at 15:11, rayvenne@... wrote:
they haven't shown the best. Instead there is endless Changing
Rooms and Ground Force. I did write to them to complain, naming
the fantastic drama's the Beeb shows back home, incuding some
superb children's drama's - The Boggart and The Pheonix and the
Carpet are tow that leap too mind. They haven't written back :-(
Ab Fab is one of my favourites
Shyrley
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
> In a message dated 9/6/2002 11:33:11 AM Eastern Standard Time,BBC America has some good shows on it but for some reason
> GDobes@... writes:
>
>
> > We're also addicted to Whose Line is is Anyway
>
> We are too, but prefer the American version. The guys are so
> good. I
> don't know they keep their composure most of the time. I do love
> watching the britcoms. Are you being served?, Keeping up Appearances,
> and Absolutely Fabulous are my favorites.
> BOO-Kay (bucket!) residence, the lady of the house speaking...
> Collette
>
>
they haven't shown the best. Instead there is endless Changing
Rooms and Ground Force. I did write to them to complain, naming
the fantastic drama's the Beeb shows back home, incuding some
superb children's drama's - The Boggart and The Pheonix and the
Carpet are tow that leap too mind. They haven't written back :-(
Ab Fab is one of my favourites
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 9/6/02 3:33:12 PM Central Daylight Time,
shyrley.williams@... writes:
Beeb* that was great! I love David Bowie! I wish we could get BBC here, or,
like you, wish that BBCA would show a more diverse program.
~Nancy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
shyrley.williams@... writes:
> BBC America has some good shows on it but for some reasonI like Ab Fab too. And BBCA did a show a few months ago called *Bowie at the
> they haven't shown the best. Instead there is endless Changing
> Rooms and Ground Force. I did write to them to complain, naming
> the fantastic drama's the Beeb shows back home, incuding some
> superb children's drama's - The Boggart and The Pheonix and the
> Carpet are tow that leap too mind. They haven't written back :-(
>
> Ab Fab is one of my favourites
>
> Shyrley
>
>
>
Beeb* that was great! I love David Bowie! I wish we could get BBC here, or,
like you, wish that BBCA would show a more diverse program.
~Nancy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Lisa Hardiman
I have still acquaintances whose kids go to public school. Today one
said that she asked my son if I had given any homework and when he said
no, she came up to me and told me her second grader already had her
first spelling test today and implied that I had a lot of catching up to
do. Lisa of MT
-----Original Message-----
From: ejcrewe@... [mailto:ejcrewe@...]
Sent: Thursday, September 05, 2002 1:24 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] In defense of fluff
In a message dated 9/5/2002 2:07:39 PM Central Standard Time,
kellitraas@... writes:
always
marvels at what the kids know - they are completely into dinosaurs right
now
- and then asks "So, have you started a structured teaching program
yet?"
Or, "When are you going to do more formal education?" It kills me. I
just
keep repeating my same answers and let it go. He doesn't have children
and
doesn't give it much thought, so it's probably just that the same
thought
keeps popping into his head and coming out of his mouth.
Elizabeth
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
said that she asked my son if I had given any homework and when he said
no, she came up to me and told me her second grader already had her
first spelling test today and implied that I had a lot of catching up to
do. Lisa of MT
-----Original Message-----
From: ejcrewe@... [mailto:ejcrewe@...]
Sent: Thursday, September 05, 2002 1:24 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] In defense of fluff
In a message dated 9/5/2002 2:07:39 PM Central Standard Time,
kellitraas@... writes:
> I know so many of my friends are asking me, "Do you have all yourbooks and
> everything for school?" and I feel like screaming! How many timeshave I
> said we don't do it like that?!We have a friend who comes over for dinner every couple of weeks. He
>
always
marvels at what the kids know - they are completely into dinosaurs right
now
- and then asks "So, have you started a structured teaching program
yet?"
Or, "When are you going to do more formal education?" It kills me. I
just
keep repeating my same answers and let it go. He doesn't have children
and
doesn't give it much thought, so it's probably just that the same
thought
keeps popping into his head and coming out of his mouth.
Elizabeth
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
ADVERTISEMENT
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081972:HM/A=810373/R=0/*http:/geocities.yahoo.com/ps/info?.refer=blrecs>
<http://rd.yahoo.com/M=212804.2303158.3720906.2225242/D=egroupweb/S=1705
081972:HM/A=810373/R=1/*http:/geocities.yahoo.com/ps/info?.refer=blrecs>
~~~~ Don't forget! If you change topics, change the subject line! ~~~~
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To unsubscribe from this group, click on the following link or address
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 9/7/2002 12:21:22 AM Eastern Standard Time,
lisa-hardiman@... writes:
upcoming year. I always have a running list of cool stuff I want to get for
the kids when I have extra cash so I just replied that there were a few more
things I wanted to get. I'm sure none of them resembled what she thinks of as
school supplies.
Amy Kagey
<A HREF="http://www.ubah.com/ecommerce/default.asp?sid=Z0939&gid=462366"> </A>U<A HREF="http://www.ubah.com/ecommerce/default.asp?sid=Z0939&gid=462366">sborne Books Online Catalog</A>
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where
there is no path and leave a trail."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
lisa-hardiman@... writes:
>My grandma asked me last week if we had all our school supplies for the
>
> > I know so many of my friends are asking me, "Do you have all your
> books and
> > everything for school?" and I feel like screaming! How many times
> have I
> > said we don't do it like that?!
>
upcoming year. I always have a running list of cool stuff I want to get for
the kids when I have extra cash so I just replied that there were a few more
things I wanted to get. I'm sure none of them resembled what she thinks of as
school supplies.
Amy Kagey
<A HREF="http://www.ubah.com/ecommerce/default.asp?sid=Z0939&gid=462366"> </A>U<A HREF="http://www.ubah.com/ecommerce/default.asp?sid=Z0939&gid=462366">sborne Books Online Catalog</A>
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where
there is no path and leave a trail."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]