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In a message dated 2/10/2003 1:14:43 PM Eastern Standard Time,
ecsamhill@... writes:

> I wanted to say, let's not get over-dependent on Sandra. There's an
> incredible collective wisdom in the minds and hearts of all the parents
> (and children) attending the conference. You could probably have a good
> seminar on any topic under the sun.

Any offers? Desperately seeking Funshops Presenters! <G>

> And even if there is NO "expertise" on a particular subject, there could
> still be self-directed, group-supported exploration.

That'll do too!

> Not meaning to sound preachy, but if we lift Sandra up on the highest of
> pedestals then it makes everyone else look short or deficient. That
> isn't a good idea.
>

And Sandra really doesn't like it either. There have been all sorts of jokes
throughout the years I have been here that Sandra has NOT enjoyed (although I
have found myself giggling at HER expense!).


> I really do mean this in the friendliest possible way. An unschooling
> conference is not one "teacher" in a classroom full of "children".

SHSHHHHH, Betsy! It's MUCH easier to keep all attendees in their seats and
QUIET when the "teacher" is speaking!!! <BWEG>

~Kelly


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Betsy

**>> And even if there is NO "expertise" on a particular subject, there
could still be self-directed, group-supported exploration.<<

That'll do too!**


Hi, Kelly --

I don't know if I would call it a "funshop" but Marty Layne did a cool
discussion-starting thing in a session at the Sacramento conference.
(Two years ago?)

Her workshop was on burnout. She asked for people to describe in a few
words what kind of burnout related problems they were having. She wrote
these on the white board until it was full. Then she gave everyone
three votes and quickly tabulated which items on the list people were
interested in. Then, starting with the top vote getter she had people
in the room raise their hands (?) and give their suggestions about how
to handle the problem. (She may have encouraged only concrete stuff
from people who had experienced the same problems, I don't remember.)

Anyway, it was a neat way to harness the knowledge of the experienced
homeschoolers in the room.

I suppose lots of variations on this format (or other formats) are possible.

Betsy

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In a message dated 2/10/2003 4:44:56 PM Eastern Standard Time,
ecsamhill@... writes:


> Hi, Kelly --
>
> I don't know if I would call it a "funshop" but Marty Layne did a cool
> discussion-starting thing in a session at the Sacramento conference.
> (Two years ago?)
>
> Her workshop was on burnout. She asked for people to describe in a few
> words what kind of burnout related problems they were having. She wrote
> these on the white board until it was full. Then she gave everyone
> three votes and quickly tabulated which items on the list people were
> interested in. Then, starting with the top vote getter she had people
> in the room raise their hands (?) and give their suggestions about how
> to handle the problem. (She may have encouraged only concrete stuff
> from people who had experienced the same problems, I don't remember.)
>
> Anyway, it was a neat way to harness the knowledge of the experienced
> homeschoolers in the room.
>
> I suppose lots of variations on this format (or other formats) are
> possible.
>

Ya' offerin'? <G>

Marty's out of my price range! <G>

~Kelly


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Betsy

** Ya' offerin'? <G>

Marty's out of my price range! <G>**


Hi, Kelly --


Marty's a great speaker and a great personality, however I think anybody
could "facilitate" a discussion in this fashion.

I think your conference sounds great, but I live in California on a tiny
budget, so I'm not at all likely to come. (I only have to drive for a
little over an hour to get to the Sacramento conference.)

Hope you have another fabulous event, though.

Betsy

PS (Don't shoot me, but how hard is it to get a bunch of
homeschooling/unschooling moms to talk? <g>)

PPS (Maybe I've been deleting too fast, but I don't remember seeing you
begging people for funshop ideas. Have you been noodgeing them off-list?)

[email protected]

In a message dated 2/10/2003 6:03:55 PM Eastern Standard Time,
ecsamhill@... writes:

> PS (Don't shoot me, but how hard is it to get a bunch of
> homeschooling/unschooling moms to talk? <g>)

Not too hard! <G> But it's not just talking---we want fun, hands-on things
going on all weeknd. Last year we had funshops on soap-making, static
electricity, playing with your food, tricks that'll impress and gross-out
your friends, kudzu basket weaving, paper making, budget games to make,
hand-spinning, Mother Goose Rhymes, magicians, artists (slide show,
UNweaving, and UNequilibrious art) among other things! So it's more than
"just talking".

> PPS (Maybe I've been deleting too fast, but I don't remember seeing you
> begging people for funshop ideas. Have you been noodgeing them off-list?)

Both. Also on the message boards. Not begging---yet! <g> But mentioning, yes.

~Kelly



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Tia Leschke

> I don't know if I would call it a "funshop" but Marty Layne did a cool
> discussion-starting thing in a session at the Sacramento conference.
> (Two years ago?)
>
> Her workshop was on burnout. She asked for people to describe in a few
> words what kind of burnout related problems they were having. She wrote
> these on the white board until it was full. Then she gave everyone
> three votes and quickly tabulated which items on the list people were
> interested in. Then, starting with the top vote getter she had people
> in the room raise their hands (?) and give their suggestions about how
> to handle the problem. (She may have encouraged only concrete stuff
> from people who had experienced the same problems, I don't remember.)

She's done that at the workshops I've been to and heard about. It's a
really good way to make sure she's talking about what people have concerns
about.
Tia

Betsy

**She's done that at the workshops I've been to and heard about. It's a
really good way to make sure she's talking about what people have concerns
about.**

At the one I went to, she didn't do much talking, just coaxed the
information out of other people.

Betsy