[email protected]

>>> Laraine writes: Yet, I find that when my kids are just interested in
buying cheese and eating it with crackers (figuratively) I feel
frustrated, ie, nothing accomplished, nothing gained by the experience.
So what was the point, what was the profit of doing it at all?>>>

The profit is tremendous if they learned that there is more to cheese
than orange cheddar. (Why are there so many different cheeses in the
world?) If they tried a new food because of it, that is great too (one
of mine is still at that "if I've never tasted it before I don't like it"
stage)

>>>>But I know I don't approach our unit studies this way. My dd wanted
to study the ocean - it was a direct request. So, I'm trying to help her
do this. We have made a posterboard of the ocean floor, put animals in
it and studied some of the animals. We will pursue it more through
library books as long as they are interested. >>>>

It seems to me that this could be an example of child-led learning, you
are just calling it unit studies. For me, unschooling means that I don't
force them to do things in a schoolish way. So if we were doing this
ocean study with you, I wouldn't require them to memorize terminology or
write a report on it or even spend time at it unless they wanted too.
Maybe it could even include a trip to the ocean. (Easy for us, we are
only a few hours away)

>>>But do you know what, she would do nothing about it if I just looked
at her and said "great honey - study the ocean!" So what do you do
differently when your child wants to study a subject?>>>>

Are you sure she wouldn't? And would it matter if she didn't? Maybe you
need to ask more questions. "What would you like to know about the
ocean?" "How do you think you could find this information?" "Is there
something I can do to help you get started?" I don't think you should
have to apologize if you want to study the ocean with her! But if you
are doing most of the work, then whose project is it really?


>>>So as adults with our (hopefully) mature brains we ought to be
whizzes. However this is not the case, at times I think I'm even losing
what I once knew. What gives?
Laura>>>>

Maybe you never knew it in the first place? I was great at memorizing
factoids for tests, but the majority was never really "learned" at all!
Also, remember that living with children is demanding! I don't mean this
in a negative way, but when there are usually children around you,
wanting you for one thing or another, it can be hard to focus. So don't
be too hard on yourself.

Mary Ellen
Neglect Not The Gift That Is In Thee

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[email protected]

In a message dated 11/8/99 3:48:38 PM !!!First Boot!!!, megates@...
writes:

<< I don't think you should
have to apologize if you want to study the ocean with her! >>


Sorry to quote out of context --

But I don't think either or any of you should have to apologize. Period. I
think you should do what works for you and yours and call it whatever the
heck you want to -- un or relaxed or the man in the moon. It seems to me
that what works changes over time and subject and from child to child anyway.


I don't mean to sound impatient but it seems to me that if your method is
working for you, that should be enough soul searching.

I thought unschooling meant never having to say you're sorry . . . ha ha ha !!

Nance

[email protected]

In a message dated 11/8/99 9:48:48 AM, megates@... writes:

<< we ought to be
whizzes. However this is not the case, at times I think I'm even losing
what I once knew. What gives?
Laura>>>>

Maybe you never knew it in the first place? I was great at memorizing
factoids for tests, but the majority was never really "learned" at all! >>

i agree with this theory, in my case i didnt commit to long term mem much
from school situations. but, to look at it another way, it is hard to
quantify what you do know. like things i learned by incorporating into my
perspective. maybe you were referring to facts but there is so much we have
really learned throughout our lives that cannot be rattled off in a list or
win a game of trivial pursuit.
erin

The O'Donnells

At 07:40 AM 11/8/99 -0800, you wrote:
>>>>But do you know what, she would do nothing about it if I just looked
>at her and said "great honey - study the ocean!" So what do you do
>differently when your child wants to study a subject?>>>>
>
>Are you sure she wouldn't? And would it matter if she didn't? Maybe you
>need to ask more questions.

98 % sure (she has done this several times - we get the info and she never
touches it!). But that aside, I did learn today that she does not really
know how to ask for the help she needs. And I have to learn how to listen
and ask the right questions. Today she said she needed more "structure"
when it came to reading. ????????? She reads all the time! So needless
to say alarms went off. Bottom line (10 minutes and 20 questions later) I
discovered she was uncertain about how to break down words into proper
syllables and found it tedious - so she would just skip the word when
reading. But hey, I rejoice in the fact that at least it bothers her (it
didn't use to a year ago!) So, I'll do some syllable breakdowns with her
(perhaps steer her in the direction of some pages in a book on the subject)
and see what she does with it. Man she makes me work hard! :o)


In His Service,

Laraine
praxis@...
Subscribe to Our Prairie Primer Today Community at:
http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/PrairiePrimerToday

The O'Donnells

At 02:03 PM 11/8/99 -0500, you wrote:

>I don't mean to sound impatient but it seems to me that if your method is
>working for you, that should be enough soul searching.
>
>I thought unschooling meant never having to say you're sorry . . . ha ha
ha !!

You hit it on the head as far as I'm concerned - yet, I do understand that
many do not feel that these types of activities (unit studies or whatever
you want to call them) are to contrived. Being new to this whole thing of
unschooling (less than 2 years) I guess I'm striving for I know not what!
Yikes! What a path to travel.

Actually this conversation came about by a post that questioned why we
would use unit studies in the first place. :O) Great conversation by the way!



In His Service,

Laraine
praxis@...
Subscribe to Our Prairie Primer Today Community at:
http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/PrairiePrimerToday

Lisa Bugg

I did learn today that she does not really
> know how to ask for the help she needs. And I have to learn how to listen
> and ask the right questions.

This is wonderful!

<Today she said she needed more "structure"
> when it came to reading. ????????? She reads all the time! So needless
> to say alarms went off. Bottom line (10 minutes and 20 questions later) I
> discovered she was uncertain about how to break down words into proper
> syllables and found it tedious - so she would just skip the word when
> reading. But hey, I rejoice in the fact that at least it bothers her (it
> didn't use to a year ago!) So, I'll do some syllable breakdowns with her
> (perhaps steer her in the direction of some pages in a book on the
subject)
> and see what she does with it. Man she makes me work hard! :o)

YAY, it's sometimes frustrating to figure something out, but waiting until
they come and say, " I need help doing xyz is wonderful. This will help her
figure out just how to come and ask for help too.

Congratulations to the both of you! ;)
>
>
> In His Service,
>
> Laraine
> praxis@...
> Subscribe to Our Prairie Primer Today Community at:
> http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/PrairiePrimerToday
>
> > Check it out!
> http://www.unschooling.com
>
>