regulations and college?
Yol, Vishnu & Shanti
Hi there,
Quick questions for you guys, sorry if you've had to answer these a thousand times already...
What about state regulations and unschooling? Do you keep *records* through the interpretation of what your child is learning to show state officials?
And what about college and unschooling? What if your kid wants to go to college and has been unschooled all of her life?
Thanks in advance for any comments.
Yol
Quick questions for you guys, sorry if you've had to answer these a thousand times already...
What about state regulations and unschooling? Do you keep *records* through the interpretation of what your child is learning to show state officials?
And what about college and unschooling? What if your kid wants to go to college and has been unschooled all of her life?
Thanks in advance for any comments.
Yol
Mary Bianco
>From: "Yol, Vishnu & Shanti" <bluelotus@...><<What about state regulations and unschooling? Do you keep *records*
through the interpretation of what your child is learning to show state
officials?>>
That would depend on what state you lived in. Here in FL, you can register
with a non public school and not worry about record keeping or keep a
portfolio if you are registered with the school board as a homeschooler. The
portfolio's for unschoolers are very non schooly with a lot of pictures.
<<And what about college and unschooling? What if your kid wants to go to
college and has been unschooled all of her life?>>
The unschooler's I know of that wanted to go to college took the SAT's and
were accepted into the colleges they applied to. The others I know of
started community college as dual enrollment at 16. Of coure I haven't known
very many, but enough to have me not worry at all.
Mary B
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Myranda
I don't keep the exact records that my state calls for, but from what I do keep, I could throw together something to satisfy them if I ever had to. I don't have to turn in anything each year except for a signed statement saying that I'm complying with the law.
Myranda in SC
From: Yol, Vishnu & Shanti
Hi there,
Quick questions for you guys, sorry if you've had to answer these a thousand times already...
What about state regulations and unschooling? Do you keep *records* through the interpretation of what your child is learning to show state officials?
And what about college and unschooling? What if your kid wants to go to college and has been unschooled all of her life?
Thanks in advance for any comments.
Yol
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Myranda in SC
From: Yol, Vishnu & Shanti
Hi there,
Quick questions for you guys, sorry if you've had to answer these a thousand times already...
What about state regulations and unschooling? Do you keep *records* through the interpretation of what your child is learning to show state officials?
And what about college and unschooling? What if your kid wants to go to college and has been unschooled all of her life?
Thanks in advance for any comments.
Yol
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
**And what about college and unschooling? What if your kid wants to go to
college and has been unschooled all of her life?**
She goes. Why would being unschooled all her life be a problem?
My unschooled all her life 17yo is "dual enrolled" at the local community
college this year. (She's officially a "high school" student because it
preserves her options better). She's doing the whole school routine for the
first time in her life and is doing better than just fine at it. :) She's
taking a freshman composition course - her instructor has used one of her
papers and a citation page for another as examples of excellence. It's the
first time she's ever been required to write anything in her life. Her
writing to this point was solely for her own purposes, on her own schedule,
with editing or critiquing by us only at her request. It seems to have worked
fine. :)
Alison McKee has written extensively on her experiences with her always
unschooled children. See her book "From Homeschool to College and Work" for a
wonderfully written look at how they documented quite unconventional learning
for admission offices of 4 year universities. And don't miss "Homeschooling
our Children, Unschooling Ourselves" which is my newest favorite "homeschool
book". She writes honestly and with courage of the doubts and fears and
mistakes, as well as the joys, of her unschooling years - it's a rare peek
into "how it works".
Deborah in IL
college and has been unschooled all of her life?**
She goes. Why would being unschooled all her life be a problem?
My unschooled all her life 17yo is "dual enrolled" at the local community
college this year. (She's officially a "high school" student because it
preserves her options better). She's doing the whole school routine for the
first time in her life and is doing better than just fine at it. :) She's
taking a freshman composition course - her instructor has used one of her
papers and a citation page for another as examples of excellence. It's the
first time she's ever been required to write anything in her life. Her
writing to this point was solely for her own purposes, on her own schedule,
with editing or critiquing by us only at her request. It seems to have worked
fine. :)
Alison McKee has written extensively on her experiences with her always
unschooled children. See her book "From Homeschool to College and Work" for a
wonderfully written look at how they documented quite unconventional learning
for admission offices of 4 year universities. And don't miss "Homeschooling
our Children, Unschooling Ourselves" which is my newest favorite "homeschool
book". She writes honestly and with courage of the doubts and fears and
mistakes, as well as the joys, of her unschooling years - it's a rare peek
into "how it works".
Deborah in IL
Yol, Vishnu & Shanti
> **And what about college and unschooling? What if your kid wants to go toI never said it was a problem! That's YOUR interpretation. I was actually asking for people's opinion on how they have managed with this (if they always had to take an exam to be admitted, etc.). That's all.
> college and has been unschooled all of her life?**
>
> She goes. Why would being unschooled all her life be a problem?
> My unschooled all her life 17yo is "dual enrolled" at the local communityThanks. This is useful informaition.
> college this year. (She's officially a "high school" student because it
> preserves her options better). She's doing the whole school routine for the
> first time in her life and is doing better than just fine at it. :) She's
> taking a freshman composition course - her instructor has used one of her
> papers and a citation page for another as examples of excellence. It's the
> first time she's ever been required to write anything in her life. Her
> writing to this point was solely for her own purposes, on her own schedule,
> with editing or critiquing by us only at her request. It seems to have worked
> fine. :)
>
> Alison McKee has written extensively on her experiences with her always
> unschooled children. See her book "From Homeschool to College and Work" for a
> wonderfully written look at how they documented quite unconventional learning
> for admission offices of 4 year universities. And don't miss "Homeschooling
> our Children, Unschooling Ourselves" which is my newest favorite "homeschool
> book". She writes honestly and with courage of the doubts and fears and
> mistakes, as well as the joys, of her unschooling years - it's a rare peek
> into "how it works".
>
> Deborah in IL
Shyrley
Once again I've had one of those 'not getting anywhere' discussions
with DH about unschooling.
Actually, it was more to do with maths. He is quite happy to
*unchool* everything else, mainly cos he thinks maths is the most
important thing in the galaxy and everything else isn't.
I would guess that my kids know everything taught at elementary
level for maths and have learnt this through everyday life. He now
wants them to start workbooks for the rest of it. They do not want
too.
I've tried explaining to him that they only need higher level maths if
they wish to take an exam in the subject or want to become
scientists or mathematicians (which is what he is). He then scoffed
at my own inability to solve some problem.
It was, if a+b=1000, and a is 150 more than b, what are a and b.
I could have done it 15 years ago when I was at school and doing
maths daily. But not now.
I asked him when in real life would I ever need that ability. To get
exams he said.
Therefore his argument is you need to study maths to pass the
exams.
Now, he has a small point in that in the UK you need GCSE maths
(taken at 16) in order to get nearly every job, even the dead-end
ones and you will be passed over in favour of another applicant if
you don't have it.
I personally think you shouldn't take exams if you don't want too,
and if the child wishes to learn maths in order to get that piece of
paper then they will do so when the motivation is there. It also
seems pointless learning things like quadratic equations. The only
use they serve is too pass that exam. That appears to be their
function!!
I don't feel I can elucidate my arguments well in favour of the
children doing or not doing maths as they wish too. He turns into a
logical mathematician when I try to speak and I feel unable to
explain 'feeling' in a way that makes sense. Which is why I'm
turning to you lot for help.
Why is it necassary to learn something that you are only learning
to get a bit of paper that is irrelevant to everyday life and who they
are?
He is starting to push them, especially DD as once upon a time
she was 6 years ahead of her age group in maths and now she is
no longer. This is, of course, my fault. For Homeschooling and for
unschooling.
waaaaaaaah
Shyrley
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
with DH about unschooling.
Actually, it was more to do with maths. He is quite happy to
*unchool* everything else, mainly cos he thinks maths is the most
important thing in the galaxy and everything else isn't.
I would guess that my kids know everything taught at elementary
level for maths and have learnt this through everyday life. He now
wants them to start workbooks for the rest of it. They do not want
too.
I've tried explaining to him that they only need higher level maths if
they wish to take an exam in the subject or want to become
scientists or mathematicians (which is what he is). He then scoffed
at my own inability to solve some problem.
It was, if a+b=1000, and a is 150 more than b, what are a and b.
I could have done it 15 years ago when I was at school and doing
maths daily. But not now.
I asked him when in real life would I ever need that ability. To get
exams he said.
Therefore his argument is you need to study maths to pass the
exams.
Now, he has a small point in that in the UK you need GCSE maths
(taken at 16) in order to get nearly every job, even the dead-end
ones and you will be passed over in favour of another applicant if
you don't have it.
I personally think you shouldn't take exams if you don't want too,
and if the child wishes to learn maths in order to get that piece of
paper then they will do so when the motivation is there. It also
seems pointless learning things like quadratic equations. The only
use they serve is too pass that exam. That appears to be their
function!!
I don't feel I can elucidate my arguments well in favour of the
children doing or not doing maths as they wish too. He turns into a
logical mathematician when I try to speak and I feel unable to
explain 'feeling' in a way that makes sense. Which is why I'm
turning to you lot for help.
Why is it necassary to learn something that you are only learning
to get a bit of paper that is irrelevant to everyday life and who they
are?
He is starting to push them, especially DD as once upon a time
she was 6 years ahead of her age group in maths and now she is
no longer. This is, of course, my fault. For Homeschooling and for
unschooling.
waaaaaaaah
Shyrley
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
Myranda
Wow.... I think I take for granted my DH's full support way too often. (BTW, I was curious - a would be 575, b would be 425 - I LOVE those things lol) Could you find out exactly what is on that exam he's talking about, and sit down and type up a list of how the kids can learn each thing in real life? Then explain how quickly they could learn the rest on their own if they chose to do so later, in order to take the exam?
Myranda
From: Shyrley
Once again I've had one of those 'not getting anywhere' discussions
with DH about unschooling.
Actually, it was more to do with maths. He is quite happy to
*unchool* everything else, mainly cos he thinks maths is the most
important thing in the galaxy and everything else isn't.
I would guess that my kids know everything taught at elementary
level for maths and have learnt this through everyday life. He now
wants them to start workbooks for the rest of it. They do not want
too.
I've tried explaining to him that they only need higher level maths if
they wish to take an exam in the subject or want to become
scientists or mathematicians (which is what he is). He then scoffed
at my own inability to solve some problem.
It was, if a+b=1000, and a is 150 more than b, what are a and b.
I could have done it 15 years ago when I was at school and doing
maths daily. But not now.
I asked him when in real life would I ever need that ability. To get
exams he said.
Therefore his argument is you need to study maths to pass the
exams.
Now, he has a small point in that in the UK you need GCSE maths
(taken at 16) in order to get nearly every job, even the dead-end
ones and you will be passed over in favour of another applicant if
you don't have it.
I personally think you shouldn't take exams if you don't want too,
and if the child wishes to learn maths in order to get that piece of
paper then they will do so when the motivation is there. It also
seems pointless learning things like quadratic equations. The only
use they serve is too pass that exam. That appears to be their
function!!
I don't feel I can elucidate my arguments well in favour of the
children doing or not doing maths as they wish too. He turns into a
logical mathematician when I try to speak and I feel unable to
explain 'feeling' in a way that makes sense. Which is why I'm
turning to you lot for help.
Why is it necassary to learn something that you are only learning
to get a bit of paper that is irrelevant to everyday life and who they
are?
He is starting to push them, especially DD as once upon a time
she was 6 years ahead of her age group in maths and now she is
no longer. This is, of course, my fault. For Homeschooling and for
unschooling.
waaaaaaaah
Shyrley
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
~~~~ Don't forget! If you change topics, change the subject line! ~~~~
If you have questions, concerns or problems with this list, please email the moderator, Joyce Fetteroll (fetteroll@...), or the list owner, Helen Hegener (HEM-Editor@...).
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Myranda
From: Shyrley
Once again I've had one of those 'not getting anywhere' discussions
with DH about unschooling.
Actually, it was more to do with maths. He is quite happy to
*unchool* everything else, mainly cos he thinks maths is the most
important thing in the galaxy and everything else isn't.
I would guess that my kids know everything taught at elementary
level for maths and have learnt this through everyday life. He now
wants them to start workbooks for the rest of it. They do not want
too.
I've tried explaining to him that they only need higher level maths if
they wish to take an exam in the subject or want to become
scientists or mathematicians (which is what he is). He then scoffed
at my own inability to solve some problem.
It was, if a+b=1000, and a is 150 more than b, what are a and b.
I could have done it 15 years ago when I was at school and doing
maths daily. But not now.
I asked him when in real life would I ever need that ability. To get
exams he said.
Therefore his argument is you need to study maths to pass the
exams.
Now, he has a small point in that in the UK you need GCSE maths
(taken at 16) in order to get nearly every job, even the dead-end
ones and you will be passed over in favour of another applicant if
you don't have it.
I personally think you shouldn't take exams if you don't want too,
and if the child wishes to learn maths in order to get that piece of
paper then they will do so when the motivation is there. It also
seems pointless learning things like quadratic equations. The only
use they serve is too pass that exam. That appears to be their
function!!
I don't feel I can elucidate my arguments well in favour of the
children doing or not doing maths as they wish too. He turns into a
logical mathematician when I try to speak and I feel unable to
explain 'feeling' in a way that makes sense. Which is why I'm
turning to you lot for help.
Why is it necassary to learn something that you are only learning
to get a bit of paper that is irrelevant to everyday life and who they
are?
He is starting to push them, especially DD as once upon a time
she was 6 years ahead of her age group in maths and now she is
no longer. This is, of course, my fault. For Homeschooling and for
unschooling.
waaaaaaaah
Shyrley
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
~~~~ Don't forget! If you change topics, change the subject line! ~~~~
If you have questions, concerns or problems with this list, please email the moderator, Joyce Fetteroll (fetteroll@...), or the list owner, Helen Hegener (HEM-Editor@...).
To unsubscribe from this group, click on the following link or address an email to:
[email protected]
Visit the Unschooling website: http://www.unschooling.com
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Shyrley
On 19 Nov 02, at 11:53, Myranda wrote:
also, Linear equations, quadratics, trig, Algebraic Expressions of
functions, Radical equations, geomatry.
I've never figured out how being able to calculate the area undera
curve on a graph is relevant to everyday living. I learned it for the
exam. I passed. And have since forgotten how to do it cos never,
not once, have I needed to calculate the area under a curve.
Or solve a linear equation.
In my opinion, this is the sort of stuff you need to learn if you
choose to do a degree in mathematics but it's a waste of time for
everybody to learn it just for the few who are going to go on and be
scientists and mathematicians.
I put this to DH who countered with, 'well, they teacha lot of stuff in
schools that is irelevant to real life and no-one ever uses it again'
Yes. I said. Thats my point about schools.
At which point he stormed off to work muttering about me
poisoning my kids minds and leaving them ill-equiped for the real
world.
Sigh
Shyrley
I shoulda married a mechanic
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
> Wow.... I think I take for granted my DH's full support way too often.Oh I know the exam. It tests normal stuff like percentages, but
> (BTW, I was curious - a would be 575, b would be 425 - I LOVE those
> things lol) Could you find out exactly what is on that exam he's
> talking about, and sit down and type up a list of how the kids can
> learn each thing in real life? Then explain how quickly they could
> learn the rest on their own if they chose to do so later, in order to
> take the exam? Myranda
also, Linear equations, quadratics, trig, Algebraic Expressions of
functions, Radical equations, geomatry.
I've never figured out how being able to calculate the area undera
curve on a graph is relevant to everyday living. I learned it for the
exam. I passed. And have since forgotten how to do it cos never,
not once, have I needed to calculate the area under a curve.
Or solve a linear equation.
In my opinion, this is the sort of stuff you need to learn if you
choose to do a degree in mathematics but it's a waste of time for
everybody to learn it just for the few who are going to go on and be
scientists and mathematicians.
I put this to DH who countered with, 'well, they teacha lot of stuff in
schools that is irelevant to real life and no-one ever uses it again'
Yes. I said. Thats my point about schools.
At which point he stormed off to work muttering about me
poisoning my kids minds and leaving them ill-equiped for the real
world.
Sigh
Shyrley
I shoulda married a mechanic
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
Myranda
Well, heck, I probably couldn't pass that exam. I never made it into algebra 2. I gave up the first month and traded it in for business math. That was actually useful stuff. Hopefully he'll think about what you said.
Myranda
From: Shyrley
Oh I know the exam. It tests normal stuff like percentages, but
also, Linear equations, quadratics, trig, Algebraic Expressions of
functions, Radical equations, geomatry.
I've never figured out how being able to calculate the area undera
curve on a graph is relevant to everyday living. I learned it for the
exam. I passed. And have since forgotten how to do it cos never,
not once, have I needed to calculate the area under a curve.
Or solve a linear equation.
In my opinion, this is the sort of stuff you need to learn if you
choose to do a degree in mathematics but it's a waste of time for
everybody to learn it just for the few who are going to go on and be
scientists and mathematicians.
I put this to DH who countered with, 'well, they teacha lot of stuff in
schools that is irelevant to real life and no-one ever uses it again'
Yes. I said. Thats my point about schools.
At which point he stormed off to work muttering about me
poisoning my kids minds and leaving them ill-equiped for the real
world.
Sigh
Shyrley
I shoulda married a mechanic
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
~~~~ Don't forget! If you change topics, change the subject line! ~~~~
If you have questions, concerns or problems with this list, please email the moderator, Joyce Fetteroll (fetteroll@...), or the list owner, Helen Hegener (HEM-Editor@...).
To unsubscribe from this group, click on the following link or address an email to:
[email protected]
Visit the Unschooling website: http://www.unschooling.com
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Myranda
From: Shyrley
Oh I know the exam. It tests normal stuff like percentages, but
also, Linear equations, quadratics, trig, Algebraic Expressions of
functions, Radical equations, geomatry.
I've never figured out how being able to calculate the area undera
curve on a graph is relevant to everyday living. I learned it for the
exam. I passed. And have since forgotten how to do it cos never,
not once, have I needed to calculate the area under a curve.
Or solve a linear equation.
In my opinion, this is the sort of stuff you need to learn if you
choose to do a degree in mathematics but it's a waste of time for
everybody to learn it just for the few who are going to go on and be
scientists and mathematicians.
I put this to DH who countered with, 'well, they teacha lot of stuff in
schools that is irelevant to real life and no-one ever uses it again'
Yes. I said. Thats my point about schools.
At which point he stormed off to work muttering about me
poisoning my kids minds and leaving them ill-equiped for the real
world.
Sigh
Shyrley
I shoulda married a mechanic
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
~~~~ Don't forget! If you change topics, change the subject line! ~~~~
If you have questions, concerns or problems with this list, please email the moderator, Joyce Fetteroll (fetteroll@...), or the list owner, Helen Hegener (HEM-Editor@...).
To unsubscribe from this group, click on the following link or address an email to:
[email protected]
Visit the Unschooling website: http://www.unschooling.com
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 11/19/02 11:30:50 AM, myrandab@... writes:
<< Well, heck, I probably couldn't pass that exam. I never made it into
algebra 2. I gave up the first month and traded it in for business math. That
was actually useful stuff. Hopefully he'll think about what you said. >>
I dropped out of algebra 2 in 10th grade, AND chemistry the next year, when
I was a junior, and took more English classes.
Sandra
<< Well, heck, I probably couldn't pass that exam. I never made it into
algebra 2. I gave up the first month and traded it in for business math. That
was actually useful stuff. Hopefully he'll think about what you said. >>
I dropped out of algebra 2 in 10th grade, AND chemistry the next year, when
I was a junior, and took more English classes.
Sandra
Myranda
Wish I could have done that, I'm great at English. But I had to have the math credit to graduate.
Myranda
From: SandraDodd@...
I dropped out of algebra 2 in 10th grade, AND chemistry the next year, when
I was a junior, and took more English classes.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Myranda
From: SandraDodd@...
I dropped out of algebra 2 in 10th grade, AND chemistry the next year, when
I was a junior, and took more English classes.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
**And what about college and unschooling? What if your kid wants to go to
college and has been unschooled all of her life?**
**She goes. Why would being unschooled all her life be a problem?**
**I never said it was a problem! That's YOUR interpretation. I was actually
asking for people's opinion on how they have managed with this (if they
always had to take an exam to be admitted, etc.). That's all.**
Oh for gosh sakes.
Of course it's MY interpretration. You didn't give us a heck of a lot to work
on to figure out what you were "actually asking" for. Did you want to know
about transcripts or how the heck they pass exams if they've never done them
before or how will they handle the discipline or can they be accepted or or
or.... well. You just asked, what if? My logical interpretation was that you
felt there might be some problem, impediment, concern, something different
from regular ordinary decisions about college, caused by unschooling. So gee,
I asked a question, and then gave short answers to a few possible
interpretations of what if. Sorry. I figured it was a nicer question than
asking What do you mean, what if? but I guess should have stuck to
straightforward.
As for your expanded question, it depends. It depends for everyone, not just
unschoolers. Most colleges do require SAT or ACT scores, but there's no
reason unschoolers can't take and do well on the them. If they don't want to
take them they can concentrate their search on colleges that don't require
them. Just like any other college applicant. Unschoolers will probably need
to work a little harder at putting together transcripts or other
documentation of learning experiences than most applicants, but that doesn't
seem to be what you're asking, unless that's covered by etc.?
It's been a long long time since I let a stranger hurt my feelings with a
response on an email list. :::sigh::: Time to go no mail and deal with the
stress. "See" you all later.
Deborah in IL
college and has been unschooled all of her life?**
**She goes. Why would being unschooled all her life be a problem?**
**I never said it was a problem! That's YOUR interpretation. I was actually
asking for people's opinion on how they have managed with this (if they
always had to take an exam to be admitted, etc.). That's all.**
Oh for gosh sakes.
Of course it's MY interpretration. You didn't give us a heck of a lot to work
on to figure out what you were "actually asking" for. Did you want to know
about transcripts or how the heck they pass exams if they've never done them
before or how will they handle the discipline or can they be accepted or or
or.... well. You just asked, what if? My logical interpretation was that you
felt there might be some problem, impediment, concern, something different
from regular ordinary decisions about college, caused by unschooling. So gee,
I asked a question, and then gave short answers to a few possible
interpretations of what if. Sorry. I figured it was a nicer question than
asking What do you mean, what if? but I guess should have stuck to
straightforward.
As for your expanded question, it depends. It depends for everyone, not just
unschoolers. Most colleges do require SAT or ACT scores, but there's no
reason unschoolers can't take and do well on the them. If they don't want to
take them they can concentrate their search on colleges that don't require
them. Just like any other college applicant. Unschoolers will probably need
to work a little harder at putting together transcripts or other
documentation of learning experiences than most applicants, but that doesn't
seem to be what you're asking, unless that's covered by etc.?
It's been a long long time since I let a stranger hurt my feelings with a
response on an email list. :::sigh::: Time to go no mail and deal with the
stress. "See" you all later.
Deborah in IL
Kelli Traaseth
Shyrley,
I can empathize, my dh's family is very academic. So they really are having a hard time understanding our unschooling choice. But since its our life they pretty much butt out. Which is good.
But in your case, its your husband,,,I'm wondering, Is your family planning on moving back to the UK? That would be the only reason you would need to worry about that test, right? If so, they can prepare for it and that would be a very attainable goal. Lots of mathmatical brains on our help line in the unschooling.com, right?
Second, for me with my dh, I often have to try and put the attention off him so he doesn't get emotional about it(and stomp away). Try and sit down with him when you both aren't emotional and just try and talk about how you feel you are doing what you think is best for your children. And if they want to be mathematicians they still can be, they will be able to figure out if that is for them or not. That's what is great about unschooling, they have time to figure those things out.
I don't know where he is on control, I know if he really wants them to develop a certain way this is probably going very hard for him. I know its hard for me when I think about certain things: like if they don't want to be musical or if they hated certain things; but I know now, even if they don't like those things there will be other things that will fill their lives and they will probably be well adjusted adults because of this type of parenting.
Hope this helps, is sounds like you are doing great with your kids and I hope you are able to continue your unschooling efforts!
Kelli
Shyrley <shyrley.williams@...> wrote:
Once again I've had one of those 'not getting anywhere' discussions
with DH about unschooling.
Actually, it was more to do with maths. He is quite happy to
*unchool* everything else, mainly cos he thinks maths is the most
important thing in the galaxy and everything else isn't.
I would guess that my kids know everything taught at elementary
level for maths and have learnt this through everyday life. He now
wants them to start workbooks for the rest of it. They do not want
too.
I've tried explaining to him that they only need higher level maths if
they wish to take an exam in the subject or want to become
scientists or mathematicians (which is what he is). He then scoffed
at my own inability to solve some problem.
It was, if a+b=1000, and a is 150 more than b, what are a and b.
I could have done it 15 years ago when I was at school and doing
maths daily. But not now.
I asked him when in real life would I ever need that ability. To get
exams he said.
Therefore his argument is you need to study maths to pass the
exams.
Now, he has a small point in that in the UK you need GCSE maths
(taken at 16) in order to get nearly every job, even the dead-end
ones and you will be passed over in favour of another applicant if
you don't have it.
I personally think you shouldn't take exams if you don't want too,
and if the child wishes to learn maths in order to get that piece of
paper then they will do so when the motivation is there. It also
seems pointless learning things like quadratic equations. The only
use they serve is too pass that exam. That appears to be their
function!!
I don't feel I can elucidate my arguments well in favour of the
children doing or not doing maths as they wish too. He turns into a
logical mathematician when I try to speak and I feel unable to
explain 'feeling' in a way that makes sense. Which is why I'm
turning to you lot for help.
Why is it necassary to learn something that you are only learning
to get a bit of paper that is irrelevant to everyday life and who they
are?
He is starting to push them, especially DD as once upon a time
she was 6 years ahead of her age group in maths and now she is
no longer. This is, of course, my fault. For Homeschooling and for
unschooling.
waaaaaaaah
Shyrley
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
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I can empathize, my dh's family is very academic. So they really are having a hard time understanding our unschooling choice. But since its our life they pretty much butt out. Which is good.
But in your case, its your husband,,,I'm wondering, Is your family planning on moving back to the UK? That would be the only reason you would need to worry about that test, right? If so, they can prepare for it and that would be a very attainable goal. Lots of mathmatical brains on our help line in the unschooling.com, right?
Second, for me with my dh, I often have to try and put the attention off him so he doesn't get emotional about it(and stomp away). Try and sit down with him when you both aren't emotional and just try and talk about how you feel you are doing what you think is best for your children. And if they want to be mathematicians they still can be, they will be able to figure out if that is for them or not. That's what is great about unschooling, they have time to figure those things out.
I don't know where he is on control, I know if he really wants them to develop a certain way this is probably going very hard for him. I know its hard for me when I think about certain things: like if they don't want to be musical or if they hated certain things; but I know now, even if they don't like those things there will be other things that will fill their lives and they will probably be well adjusted adults because of this type of parenting.
Hope this helps, is sounds like you are doing great with your kids and I hope you are able to continue your unschooling efforts!
Kelli
Shyrley <shyrley.williams@...> wrote:
Once again I've had one of those 'not getting anywhere' discussions
with DH about unschooling.
Actually, it was more to do with maths. He is quite happy to
*unchool* everything else, mainly cos he thinks maths is the most
important thing in the galaxy and everything else isn't.
I would guess that my kids know everything taught at elementary
level for maths and have learnt this through everyday life. He now
wants them to start workbooks for the rest of it. They do not want
too.
I've tried explaining to him that they only need higher level maths if
they wish to take an exam in the subject or want to become
scientists or mathematicians (which is what he is). He then scoffed
at my own inability to solve some problem.
It was, if a+b=1000, and a is 150 more than b, what are a and b.
I could have done it 15 years ago when I was at school and doing
maths daily. But not now.
I asked him when in real life would I ever need that ability. To get
exams he said.
Therefore his argument is you need to study maths to pass the
exams.
Now, he has a small point in that in the UK you need GCSE maths
(taken at 16) in order to get nearly every job, even the dead-end
ones and you will be passed over in favour of another applicant if
you don't have it.
I personally think you shouldn't take exams if you don't want too,
and if the child wishes to learn maths in order to get that piece of
paper then they will do so when the motivation is there. It also
seems pointless learning things like quadratic equations. The only
use they serve is too pass that exam. That appears to be their
function!!
I don't feel I can elucidate my arguments well in favour of the
children doing or not doing maths as they wish too. He turns into a
logical mathematician when I try to speak and I feel unable to
explain 'feeling' in a way that makes sense. Which is why I'm
turning to you lot for help.
Why is it necassary to learn something that you are only learning
to get a bit of paper that is irrelevant to everyday life and who they
are?
He is starting to push them, especially DD as once upon a time
she was 6 years ahead of her age group in maths and now she is
no longer. This is, of course, my fault. For Homeschooling and for
unschooling.
waaaaaaaah
Shyrley
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
~~~~ Don't forget! If you change topics, change the subject line! ~~~~
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kelli Traaseth
Deborah,
Please don't stop responding, I have received lots of good info from you!!
I enjoy reading your posts and I'm sure many others do too.
Sincerely,
Kelli
dacunefare@... wrote:**And what about college and unschooling? What if your kid wants to go to
college and has been unschooled all of her life?**
**She goes. Why would being unschooled all her life be a problem?**
**I never said it was a problem! That's YOUR interpretation. I was actually
asking for people's opinion on how they have managed with this (if they
always had to take an exam to be admitted, etc.). That's all.**
Oh for gosh sakes.
Of course it's MY interpretration. You didn't give us a heck of a lot to work
on to figure out what you were "actually asking" for. Did you want to know
about transcripts or how the heck they pass exams if they've never done them
before or how will they handle the discipline or can they be accepted or or
or.... well. You just asked, what if? My logical interpretation was that you
felt there might be some problem, impediment, concern, something different
from regular ordinary decisions about college, caused by unschooling. So gee,
I asked a question, and then gave short answers to a few possible
interpretations of what if. Sorry. I figured it was a nicer question than
asking What do you mean, what if? but I guess should have stuck to
straightforward.
As for your expanded question, it depends. It depends for everyone, not just
unschoolers. Most colleges do require SAT or ACT scores, but there's no
reason unschoolers can't take and do well on the them. If they don't want to
take them they can concentrate their search on colleges that don't require
them. Just like any other college applicant. Unschoolers will probably need
to work a little harder at putting together transcripts or other
documentation of learning experiences than most applicants, but that doesn't
seem to be what you're asking, unless that's covered by etc.?
It's been a long long time since I let a stranger hurt my feelings with a
response on an email list. :::sigh::: Time to go no mail and deal with the
stress. "See" you all later.
Deborah in IL
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Please don't stop responding, I have received lots of good info from you!!
I enjoy reading your posts and I'm sure many others do too.
Sincerely,
Kelli
dacunefare@... wrote:**And what about college and unschooling? What if your kid wants to go to
college and has been unschooled all of her life?**
**She goes. Why would being unschooled all her life be a problem?**
**I never said it was a problem! That's YOUR interpretation. I was actually
asking for people's opinion on how they have managed with this (if they
always had to take an exam to be admitted, etc.). That's all.**
Oh for gosh sakes.
Of course it's MY interpretration. You didn't give us a heck of a lot to work
on to figure out what you were "actually asking" for. Did you want to know
about transcripts or how the heck they pass exams if they've never done them
before or how will they handle the discipline or can they be accepted or or
or.... well. You just asked, what if? My logical interpretation was that you
felt there might be some problem, impediment, concern, something different
from regular ordinary decisions about college, caused by unschooling. So gee,
I asked a question, and then gave short answers to a few possible
interpretations of what if. Sorry. I figured it was a nicer question than
asking What do you mean, what if? but I guess should have stuck to
straightforward.
As for your expanded question, it depends. It depends for everyone, not just
unschoolers. Most colleges do require SAT or ACT scores, but there's no
reason unschoolers can't take and do well on the them. If they don't want to
take them they can concentrate their search on colleges that don't require
them. Just like any other college applicant. Unschoolers will probably need
to work a little harder at putting together transcripts or other
documentation of learning experiences than most applicants, but that doesn't
seem to be what you're asking, unless that's covered by etc.?
It's been a long long time since I let a stranger hurt my feelings with a
response on an email list. :::sigh::: Time to go no mail and deal with the
stress. "See" you all later.
Deborah in IL
~~~~ Don't forget! If you change topics, change the subject line! ~~~~
If you have questions, concerns or problems with this list, please email the moderator, Joyce Fetteroll (fetteroll@...), or the list owner, Helen Hegener (HEM-Editor@...).
To unsubscribe from this group, click on the following link or address an email to:
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---------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Tia Leschke
> Wow.... I think I take for granted my DH's full support way too often.(BTW, I was curious - a would be 575, b would be 425 - I LOVE those things
lol) Could you find out exactly what is on that exam he's talking about, and
sit down and type up a list of how the kids can learn each thing in real
life? Then explain how quickly they could learn the rest on their own if
they chose to do so later, in order to take the exam?
If I've posted this here before, just skip it.
A number of years ago, there were a couple of unschooled boys in the
Vancouver area who decided they wanted to go on to university. They were
typical unschooled kids as far as their math knowledge went. They hired a
tutor and had learned *all* of high school math in a matter of months.
Tia
Alan & Brenda Leonard
11/19/02 20:09:
it, but I definitely have. I do get a lot of use out of algebra in real
life. I use the 6 out of 91 = x out of 100 to find percentages pretty
regularly. But I'd be hard pressed to explain why the rest of it was
necessary.
Is there any way you can take this problem and put it in your husband's lap
entirely? Maybe announce that if he, in fact, truly believes that it's
necessary, you'd like *him* to work with the children on it. Remind him
that they're used to understanding why they need things, so he'll find them
most receiptve if he can really show them all the facinating ways these
concepts are used in physics, molecular biology, or whatever.
I guess that's not totally unschooling, since he'd be introducing the
concepts to them without them necessarily caring, but at the very least it
moves the problem from your world to his. Surely the kids will cheerily
tell him that he's boring the pants off them if he gets to that point...!
;) Heck, they might even find it interesting, you never know!
brenda
> Oh I know the exam. It tests normal stuff like percentages, butHey, I remember learning all that stuff! I don't remember where I forgot
> also, Linear equations, quadratics, trig, Algebraic Expressions of
> functions, Radical equations, geomatry.
it, but I definitely have. I do get a lot of use out of algebra in real
life. I use the 6 out of 91 = x out of 100 to find percentages pretty
regularly. But I'd be hard pressed to explain why the rest of it was
necessary.
Is there any way you can take this problem and put it in your husband's lap
entirely? Maybe announce that if he, in fact, truly believes that it's
necessary, you'd like *him* to work with the children on it. Remind him
that they're used to understanding why they need things, so he'll find them
most receiptve if he can really show them all the facinating ways these
concepts are used in physics, molecular biology, or whatever.
I guess that's not totally unschooling, since he'd be introducing the
concepts to them without them necessarily caring, but at the very least it
moves the problem from your world to his. Surely the kids will cheerily
tell him that he's boring the pants off them if he gets to that point...!
;) Heck, they might even find it interesting, you never know!
brenda
elaine greenwood-hyde
Hi Shyrley,
you could explain it in terms of say another subject say
cooking for example. You're not teaching them haute cuisine at home just in
case they want to be a chef later. You may help them with basic skills and
they'll learn that from life...you're not making them cook crown of lamb
with celeriac mash and a curuacoa (sp) mousse with flambeed raspberries or
whatever just in case they decide to be a chef....if they want to be a chef
they'll discover the joy of cooking and have motivation to go and train
later.
The same applies with mathematics. Anyway it only takes 9 months to do GCSE
maths from scratch in the UK post 16 and I haven't even taken out the time
for half terms and easter and xmas holidays. Lots of adults who haven't done
any mathematics for years and years go and do GCSE maths at an evening
class and pass no problem. They could probably do GCSE maths postal at some
point if they wanted to and take significantly less time. If the very basic
of basics are there then they'll pass GCSE maths no problem. It's really not
a big deal, he's panicking for nothing.
Can you think of a subject he hates that you could apply the above to?
That'd be a good example for him
Regards, Elaine
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you could explain it in terms of say another subject say
cooking for example. You're not teaching them haute cuisine at home just in
case they want to be a chef later. You may help them with basic skills and
they'll learn that from life...you're not making them cook crown of lamb
with celeriac mash and a curuacoa (sp) mousse with flambeed raspberries or
whatever just in case they decide to be a chef....if they want to be a chef
they'll discover the joy of cooking and have motivation to go and train
later.
The same applies with mathematics. Anyway it only takes 9 months to do GCSE
maths from scratch in the UK post 16 and I haven't even taken out the time
for half terms and easter and xmas holidays. Lots of adults who haven't done
any mathematics for years and years go and do GCSE maths at an evening
class and pass no problem. They could probably do GCSE maths postal at some
point if they wanted to and take significantly less time. If the very basic
of basics are there then they'll pass GCSE maths no problem. It's really not
a big deal, he's panicking for nothing.
Can you think of a subject he hates that you could apply the above to?
That'd be a good example for him
Regards, Elaine
_________________________________________________________________
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http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail
elaine greenwood-hyde
Oops nearly forgot the 9 month thing well that's only doing 1 two hour
lesson a week. You could probably cover the whole syllabus in a few weeks if
you really wanted to. When I say 'you' could, I mean any individual that
wanted to get GCSE maths pretty quickly.
Regards, Elaine
_________________________________________________________________
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lesson a week. You could probably cover the whole syllabus in a few weeks if
you really wanted to. When I say 'you' could, I mean any individual that
wanted to get GCSE maths pretty quickly.
Regards, Elaine
_________________________________________________________________
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http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail
Fetteroll
on 11/19/02 11:49 AM, Shyrley at shyrley.williams@... wrote:
they learn math for the bit of paper, so that's why your arguments aren't
reaching him. His concern is that he *knows* to the core of his being that
it takes 10+ years at 5 hours per week to acquire all the math necessary for
the exams. So, even if they don't use the higher math, it's important in
terms of time that they start learning now so they'll have it in case they
do want to use it.
He's wrong, but there isn't an easy route to help him see that he's wrong. I
could not picture unschooling math until I could see it happening with my
daughter. Now I can see that natural acquisition of math is a totally
different process than how math gets taught in school. I can see huge
similarities between naturally acquiring math and English by using them and
learning math and Spanish in school. And how the first is effortless and
works without formal understanding, and the second is often a source of
frustration and people who never want to see either math or Spanish again.
Marilyn Burns has written a few books on children acquiring math naturally.
She talks about them discovering their own algorithms. (That's math speak
for figuring out how to do something themselves ;-) So rather than teaching
them the process of borrowing and carrying, kids figure out various ways the
numbers can be manipulated in order to get the answer.
(As an example, in school they'd teach a child that to subtract 4.99 from
6.00 you need to borrow a 1 from the 6 to subtract the 99 from. Which makes
no real sense. But a child can more easily picture temporarily bumping 4.99
up to 5, subtracting 5 from 6 to get 1. And then, since 4.99 is further from
6 than 5 (or however they picture it) knowing that the extra penny we
borrowed has to be added to the 1 for 1.01. It *sounds* complex written out,
but it makes a lot of intuitive sense when you have to do arithmetic in your
head.)
I liked Elaine's comparison to haute cuisine :-)
And Brenda's idea of him showing them the joy in math so they can have
experience with it being fun and intriging. The problem is that he might not
care if they like math or not. He's only concerned that they get the
practice time in that he's certain is necessary. But if you express that if
they experience math through enjoyable experiences with the really cool
stuff like fractals and Fibonacci numbers and so forth then they'll be more
likely to want to know more.
Perhaps if he looks at it this way: if his primary goal is to get math into
them, enjoyment will get sacrificed for practice and they'll try to spend as
little time as possible on math. But if his goal is for them to enjoy the
time spent with him *and* math, then they all win because the number of
hours they spend willingly on math will voluntarily increase. And they'll
enjoy spending time with him too :-)
Joyce
> I've tried explaining to him that they only need higher level maths ifOr engineer. Or architect. Or economist.
> they wish to take an exam in the subject or want to become
> scientists or mathematicians
> Why is it necassary to learn something that you are only learningBeing a math-head and engineer myself ;-) I'd say his concern isn't that
> to get a bit of paper that is irrelevant to everyday life and who they
> are?
they learn math for the bit of paper, so that's why your arguments aren't
reaching him. His concern is that he *knows* to the core of his being that
it takes 10+ years at 5 hours per week to acquire all the math necessary for
the exams. So, even if they don't use the higher math, it's important in
terms of time that they start learning now so they'll have it in case they
do want to use it.
He's wrong, but there isn't an easy route to help him see that he's wrong. I
could not picture unschooling math until I could see it happening with my
daughter. Now I can see that natural acquisition of math is a totally
different process than how math gets taught in school. I can see huge
similarities between naturally acquiring math and English by using them and
learning math and Spanish in school. And how the first is effortless and
works without formal understanding, and the second is often a source of
frustration and people who never want to see either math or Spanish again.
Marilyn Burns has written a few books on children acquiring math naturally.
She talks about them discovering their own algorithms. (That's math speak
for figuring out how to do something themselves ;-) So rather than teaching
them the process of borrowing and carrying, kids figure out various ways the
numbers can be manipulated in order to get the answer.
(As an example, in school they'd teach a child that to subtract 4.99 from
6.00 you need to borrow a 1 from the 6 to subtract the 99 from. Which makes
no real sense. But a child can more easily picture temporarily bumping 4.99
up to 5, subtracting 5 from 6 to get 1. And then, since 4.99 is further from
6 than 5 (or however they picture it) knowing that the extra penny we
borrowed has to be added to the 1 for 1.01. It *sounds* complex written out,
but it makes a lot of intuitive sense when you have to do arithmetic in your
head.)
I liked Elaine's comparison to haute cuisine :-)
And Brenda's idea of him showing them the joy in math so they can have
experience with it being fun and intriging. The problem is that he might not
care if they like math or not. He's only concerned that they get the
practice time in that he's certain is necessary. But if you express that if
they experience math through enjoyable experiences with the really cool
stuff like fractals and Fibonacci numbers and so forth then they'll be more
likely to want to know more.
Perhaps if he looks at it this way: if his primary goal is to get math into
them, enjoyment will get sacrificed for practice and they'll try to spend as
little time as possible on math. But if his goal is for them to enjoy the
time spent with him *and* math, then they all win because the number of
hours they spend willingly on math will voluntarily increase. And they'll
enjoy spending time with him too :-)
Joyce
[email protected]
In a message dated 11/20/2002 8:01:00 AM Eastern Standard Time,
fetteroll@... writes:
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
fetteroll@... writes:
> I liked Elaine's comparison to haute cuisine :-)I figured you would. It sounded like a Joyce-ism. <g>
>
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Shyrley
On 20 Nov 02, at 7:59, Fetteroll wrote:
scratch. It is, after all, the exam 16 year olds take.
It's generally a required GCSE for the english jobs market so most
people make an attempt at it.
A level maths (16-18) is taken by a minority of the population. I
didn't take it, it wasn't necassary to have A level maths to do the
university course I was gonna do (BioChemistry).
Englsih kids take only 3 A levels (usually) so most of the
population finish with maths at 16.
(Admittedly GCSE maths in the UK covers what High Scool
teaches here but it still ain't hard and certainly doesn't require 10
years of learning)
DH of course took A level maths.
cos we all use it every day. Its the other stuff.
Maybe I lack imagination but I just can't see us baking or
something and me saying 'Ah, this muffin demonstrates perfectly a
simultaneous equation.'
:-)
other stuff.
stuff you ain't interested in fora higher goal. He definately expects
them to do GCSE and personally I'm sure as they get older they
will decide to take it just cos its such an important one but I think
none of them will study maths after 16. Daddy has killed that
desire by his pushing.
But if you
the pretty pictures. I wold not, however, want to know the maths
behind it apart from in layman's terms. It's like watching TV but not
knowing how the TV works. We have a fractal calender so we've
talked about them and the kids like the pictures.
Someone told me what Fibonacci numbers were but I've forgotten
already. It may have been this list so forgive me for asking again.
down with the kids. The one time he did, he turned into Mister
Teacher.
I remember when he taught me the statistics for my degree.
Everytime I didn't understand he accused me of being stupid
deliberately just to annoy him :-)
Nope, I said, I *am* this stupid. Unfortunately he rates somewhere
near genius level when it comes to maths and physics and can't
understand us lesser mortals and why we just don't *get* it.
I don't think he could bear the thought that maybe his kids were
*normal* at maths.
Shyrley
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
>I've known many adults who took GSCE Maths in 9 months from
> Being a math-head and engineer myself ;-) I'd say his concern isn't
> that they learn math for the bit of paper, so that's why your
> arguments aren't reaching him. His concern is that he *knows* to the
> core of his being that it takes 10+ years at 5 hours per week to
> acquire all the math necessary for the exams. So, even if they don't
> use the higher math, it's important in terms of time that they start
> learning now so they'll have it in case they do want to use it.
scratch. It is, after all, the exam 16 year olds take.
It's generally a required GCSE for the english jobs market so most
people make an attempt at it.
A level maths (16-18) is taken by a minority of the population. I
didn't take it, it wasn't necassary to have A level maths to do the
university course I was gonna do (BioChemistry).
Englsih kids take only 3 A levels (usually) so most of the
population finish with maths at 16.
(Admittedly GCSE maths in the UK covers what High Scool
teaches here but it still ain't hard and certainly doesn't require 10
years of learning)
DH of course took A level maths.
>It seems like unschooling maths that we all use every day is easy,
> He's wrong, but there isn't an easy route to help him see that he's
> wrong. I could not picture unschooling math until I could see it
> happening with my daughter. Now I can see that natural acquisition of
> math is a totally different process than how math gets taught in
> school. I can see huge similarities between naturally acquiring math
> and English by using them and learning math and Spanish in school. And
> how the first is effortless and works without formal understanding,
> and the second is often a source of frustration and people who never
> want to see either math or Spanish again.
cos we all use it every day. Its the other stuff.
Maybe I lack imagination but I just can't see us baking or
something and me saying 'Ah, this muffin demonstrates perfectly a
simultaneous equation.'
:-)
>We've reached that stage and its wonderful to watch its just the
> Marilyn Burns has written a few books on children acquiring math
> naturally. She talks about them discovering their own algorithms.
> (That's math speak for figuring out how to do something themselves ;-)
> So rather than teaching them the process of borrowing and carrying,
> kids figure out various ways the numbers can be manipulated in order
> to get the answer.
>
> (As an example, in school they'd teach a child that to subtract 4.99
> from 6.00 you need to borrow a 1 from the 6 to subtract the 99 from.
> Which makes no real sense. But a child can more easily picture
> temporarily bumping 4.99 up to 5, subtracting 5 from 6 to get 1. And
> then, since 4.99 is further from 6 than 5 (or however they picture it)
> knowing that the extra penny we borrowed has to be added to the 1 for
> 1.01. It *sounds* complex written out, but it makes a lot of intuitive
> sense when you have to do arithmetic in your head.)
other stuff.
> And Brenda's idea of him showing them the joy in math so they can haveThat is his thing. He firmly believes that you have to sit through
> experience with it being fun and intriging. The problem is that he
> might not care if they like math or not. He's only concerned that they
> get the practice time in that he's certain is necessary.
stuff you ain't interested in fora higher goal. He definately expects
them to do GCSE and personally I'm sure as they get older they
will decide to take it just cos its such an important one but I think
none of them will study maths after 16. Daddy has killed that
desire by his pushing.
But if you
> express that if they experience math through enjoyable experiencesWell, thats not strictly true. I think fractals are great and can watch
> with the really cool stuff like fractals and Fibonacci numbers and so
> forth then they'll be more likely to want to know more.
the pretty pictures. I wold not, however, want to know the maths
behind it apart from in layman's terms. It's like watching TV but not
knowing how the TV works. We have a fractal calender so we've
talked about them and the kids like the pictures.
Someone told me what Fibonacci numbers were but I've forgotten
already. It may have been this list so forgive me for asking again.
>And there's the rub. We have various maths CD's but he wont sit
> Perhaps if he looks at it this way: if his primary goal is to get math
> into them, enjoyment will get sacrificed for practice and they'll try
> to spend as little time as possible on math. But if his goal is for
> them to enjoy the time spent with him *and* math, then they all win
> because the number of hours they spend willingly on math will
> voluntarily increase. And they'll enjoy spending time with him too :-)
down with the kids. The one time he did, he turned into Mister
Teacher.
I remember when he taught me the statistics for my degree.
Everytime I didn't understand he accused me of being stupid
deliberately just to annoy him :-)
Nope, I said, I *am* this stupid. Unfortunately he rates somewhere
near genius level when it comes to maths and physics and can't
understand us lesser mortals and why we just don't *get* it.
I don't think he could bear the thought that maybe his kids were
*normal* at maths.
Shyrley
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the same."
Stephanie Elms
> I remember when he taught me the statistics for my degree.I can sympathize! I remember switching from electrical engineering to
> Everytime I didn't understand he accused me of being stupid
> deliberately just to annoy him :-)
business in college and trying to understand debits and credits. It did
not make logical sense to me until something clicked and viola, I understood.
In the meantime dh was beating his head against the wall trying to help
me understand. I learned that dh is NOT who I wanted to teach me anything!
He tends to get things on the first try and does not like it when others don't.
I remember him coming home from classes complaining about the stupid questions
everyone was asking. And my MIL says that he absolutely hated doing any kind
of drill in school and always asked why he had to do it if he understood it.
I use these examples when I have to remind him why we are homeschooling. :o)
Stephanie E.
[email protected]
I also have those same questions. Shellie