Back to Cleaning
[email protected]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
I am going back to the cleaning thing , because I read all the things people
wrote and have a story to share.
Today asked my son if he would like me to help him tidy up his room.
Formerly I would have said it was a dump and I was going to clean it up.
He said no. I said ok and walked away. He was amazed. He changed his mind and
asked for help. We entered it and commenced cleaning together. I did not
grumble, did not ask why it was so messy, nor did I insult his room. We
chatted, and I asked where he wanted things. Instead of threateniing to get
rid of things, I simply put them away as instructed. I did ask permission to
throw away obvious garbage. Even the toddler sister was involved. It was fun.
Even the much disliked little neighbor girl was welcomed and involved. WE got
the mammoth job done with no fuss.
Right up until the moment I looked in the underwear drawer and saw a bunch of
beyblades and roboriders.I had a hairy fit and demanded they be removed.
My wonderful son stated adamantly that they would stay there, he liked them
there and that ws that.
I swallowed , agreed, and thanked him for sticking up for himself, and left
his room alone!!
This was a big change for me, as the voice of my mother usually takes over
when cleaning this 7yr olds room. I like the new way better.
A small thing maybe, but bigger things will come of it I am sure.
Nancy, still cold in BC
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
wrote and have a story to share.
Today asked my son if he would like me to help him tidy up his room.
Formerly I would have said it was a dump and I was going to clean it up.
He said no. I said ok and walked away. He was amazed. He changed his mind and
asked for help. We entered it and commenced cleaning together. I did not
grumble, did not ask why it was so messy, nor did I insult his room. We
chatted, and I asked where he wanted things. Instead of threateniing to get
rid of things, I simply put them away as instructed. I did ask permission to
throw away obvious garbage. Even the toddler sister was involved. It was fun.
Even the much disliked little neighbor girl was welcomed and involved. WE got
the mammoth job done with no fuss.
Right up until the moment I looked in the underwear drawer and saw a bunch of
beyblades and roboriders.I had a hairy fit and demanded they be removed.
My wonderful son stated adamantly that they would stay there, he liked them
there and that ws that.
I swallowed , agreed, and thanked him for sticking up for himself, and left
his room alone!!
This was a big change for me, as the voice of my mother usually takes over
when cleaning this 7yr olds room. I like the new way better.
A small thing maybe, but bigger things will come of it I am sure.
Nancy, still cold in BC
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 3/11/03 3:08:10 AM Eastern Standard Time, LOWRIEK@...
writes:
Pam G.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
writes:
> I swallowed , agreed, and thanked him for sticking up for himself, and leftYEA!!! What a great job.
>
> his room alone!!
> This was a big change for me, as the voice of my mother usually takes over
> when cleaning this 7yr olds room. I like the new way better.
> A small thing maybe, but bigger things will come of it I am sure.
> Nancy, still cold in BC
>
>
>
Pam G.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Dawn Ackroyd
I am learning more and more about the idea of unschooling every day. I
was wondering if any of you have any comments or opinions on the
Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling. When I first read about it I
really liked the idea - but now I'm wondering if it isn't too contrived.
There are long lists of things to do each day. Wondering if any of you
have read much about or would care to share your opinions about this
method.
Dawn
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
was wondering if any of you have any comments or opinions on the
Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling. When I first read about it I
really liked the idea - but now I'm wondering if it isn't too contrived.
There are long lists of things to do each day. Wondering if any of you
have read much about or would care to share your opinions about this
method.
Dawn
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sorcha
I have read a lot about Charlotte Mason's method. There are a lot of
really great ideas, like nature journals and using living books instead
of texts. I also loved the idea of using travel guides for geography.
I love to read, so I liked that it was literature-based. I also loved
the ideas about going outside more and having nature walks. But when it
comes right down to it, I can't imagine getting up in the morning,
setting a timer and saying, "Twenty minutes for reading, then we'll do
math, then a nature walk, etc." That just isn't my style. And though
the nature journals sound like fun, what if my kids don't want to do
them? I bought a great book on nature journaling for myself, because I
realized *I* was the one who liked the idea! And all the reading -
it'll be great if my sons want to read classic literature. But if they
don't, that's their personality. I can read Treasure Island and the
Chronicles of Narnia to myself, since I'm the one who likes them. If
they're interested, great. If not, I'll still enjoy reading the books.
I think the schedules were what really turned me off to the Charlotte
Mason method. I'm just not a schedule person. And the fact that it
could take 12 weeks to read a novel because you're only reading for 20
minutes before going on to the next subject. I couldn't enjoy a book
over 12 weeks. I read with my kids by piling a bunch of pillows onto
the bed and camping out for an afternoon (or morning, or evening).
Charlotte Mason had a lot of great ideas to make schools better for
kids, but it's not unschooling.
Sorcha
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
really great ideas, like nature journals and using living books instead
of texts. I also loved the idea of using travel guides for geography.
I love to read, so I liked that it was literature-based. I also loved
the ideas about going outside more and having nature walks. But when it
comes right down to it, I can't imagine getting up in the morning,
setting a timer and saying, "Twenty minutes for reading, then we'll do
math, then a nature walk, etc." That just isn't my style. And though
the nature journals sound like fun, what if my kids don't want to do
them? I bought a great book on nature journaling for myself, because I
realized *I* was the one who liked the idea! And all the reading -
it'll be great if my sons want to read classic literature. But if they
don't, that's their personality. I can read Treasure Island and the
Chronicles of Narnia to myself, since I'm the one who likes them. If
they're interested, great. If not, I'll still enjoy reading the books.
I think the schedules were what really turned me off to the Charlotte
Mason method. I'm just not a schedule person. And the fact that it
could take 12 weeks to read a novel because you're only reading for 20
minutes before going on to the next subject. I couldn't enjoy a book
over 12 weeks. I read with my kids by piling a bunch of pillows onto
the bed and camping out for an afternoon (or morning, or evening).
Charlotte Mason had a lot of great ideas to make schools better for
kids, but it's not unschooling.
Sorcha
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sorcha
Sorry about the big, long paragraph. It didn't look quite that way when
I wrote it.
Sorcha
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I wrote it.
Sorcha
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Elizabeth Ruuska
Hello all,
I'm new to the list. I've been lurking for a bit just getting to know you
all. I'm a mom to nine. I'm not a strict unschooler per se. And I'm a bit
ambivalent about that. That's why I'm here I guess.
I think contrived might be a good word for Charlotte Mason. I agree with a
lot of what she said in theory. But don't agree with a lot of it too. One
big thing CM liked was short lessons. Maybe 15 minutes on a subject and
then move on. This was so that kids didn't get tired of an activity. But
mine barely have time to get into something in 15 minutes. I like letting
them direct the amount of time they spend in things. Even books are read in
very short bites. I think this was so children had time to ruminate on the
books between sessions. But again, it's awful to quit just when you really
get into it.
But she did respect children as people, not little vessels to be filled
with knowledge. And she did believe they needed a lot of time outdoors to
explore rather than being stuck in a school room.
So while her list may have been long, "school" time was to be short because
she thought they ought to be outside. But yes, most of this was organized
and led by the teacher or mother or caregiver rather than the child.
But like anything else, if you treat it like a cafeteria, taking what you
like and leaving what you don't, the CM method might have some good things
for you--at least some reassurances for the parent.
Elizabeth in IN
At 08:59 AM 3/11/2003 -0700, you wrote:
I'm new to the list. I've been lurking for a bit just getting to know you
all. I'm a mom to nine. I'm not a strict unschooler per se. And I'm a bit
ambivalent about that. That's why I'm here I guess.
I think contrived might be a good word for Charlotte Mason. I agree with a
lot of what she said in theory. But don't agree with a lot of it too. One
big thing CM liked was short lessons. Maybe 15 minutes on a subject and
then move on. This was so that kids didn't get tired of an activity. But
mine barely have time to get into something in 15 minutes. I like letting
them direct the amount of time they spend in things. Even books are read in
very short bites. I think this was so children had time to ruminate on the
books between sessions. But again, it's awful to quit just when you really
get into it.
But she did respect children as people, not little vessels to be filled
with knowledge. And she did believe they needed a lot of time outdoors to
explore rather than being stuck in a school room.
So while her list may have been long, "school" time was to be short because
she thought they ought to be outside. But yes, most of this was organized
and led by the teacher or mother or caregiver rather than the child.
But like anything else, if you treat it like a cafeteria, taking what you
like and leaving what you don't, the CM method might have some good things
for you--at least some reassurances for the parent.
Elizabeth in IN
At 08:59 AM 3/11/2003 -0700, you wrote:
>I am learning more and more about the idea of unschooling every day. I[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>was wondering if any of you have any comments or opinions on the
>Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling. When I first read about it I
>really liked the idea - but now I'm wondering if it isn't too contrived.
>There are long lists of things to do each day. Wondering if any of you
>have read much about or would care to share your opinions about this
>method.
Sorcha
Oh, and I just thought about this part. Charlotte Mason didn't believe
in giving children tests. That's the "good news". The bad news is that
instead of giving tests, she had "narration." That is, the children
listen to a lesson and then say back what they learned. This is
supposed to help them concentrate on the lesson.
I can't imagine doing that with my children or with anyone else. I can
just see it: my husband gets home from work and I tell him all the great
new things I learned today (in digestible 15 minute chunks). Then I
stop and have him repeat back to me what he learned. Sounds the perfect
way to make sure he's never interested in anything I have to say!
Sorcha
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
in giving children tests. That's the "good news". The bad news is that
instead of giving tests, she had "narration." That is, the children
listen to a lesson and then say back what they learned. This is
supposed to help them concentrate on the lesson.
I can't imagine doing that with my children or with anyone else. I can
just see it: my husband gets home from work and I tell him all the great
new things I learned today (in digestible 15 minute chunks). Then I
stop and have him repeat back to me what he learned. Sounds the perfect
way to make sure he's never interested in anything I have to say!
Sorcha
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Dawn Ackroyd
I agree with you. I never did get what the purpose of narration would
be.
When we read I often ask my daughter questions about the book, but more
in a conversational way. I've noticed that she often misses many aspects
of the story. I might think her comprehension is lacking - but the truth
is she is very focused on other aspects of the story - the aspects of it
that really interest her.
When I thought about that with her I thought of how when I was in school
and they'd do those comprehension tests I always had to wonder who could
REALLY pay attention to every single detail. I thought they were dumb
tests. Then again, most tests are.
-----Original Message-----
From: Sorcha [mailto:sorcha-aisling@...]
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2003 9:47 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: [Unschooling-dotcom] Charlotte Mason
Oh, and I just thought about this part. Charlotte Mason didn't believe
in giving children tests. That's the "good news". The bad news is that
instead of giving tests, she had "narration." That is, the children
listen to a lesson and then say back what they learned. This is
supposed to help them concentrate on the lesson.
I can't imagine doing that with my children or with anyone else. I can
just see it: my husband gets home from work and I tell him all the great
new things I learned today (in digestible 15 minute chunks). Then I
stop and have him repeat back to me what he learned. Sounds the perfect
way to make sure he's never interested in anything I have to say!
Sorcha
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
ADVERTISEMENT
<http://rd.yahoo.com/M=246920.2960106.4328965.2848452/D=egroupweb/S=1705
081972:HM/A=1481646/R=0/*http://www.gotomypc.com/u/tr/yh/cpm/grp/300_fla
ke/g22lp?Target=mm/g22lp.tmpl>
<http://us.adserver.yahoo.com/l?M=246920.2960106.4328965.2848452/D=egrou
pmail/S=:HM/A=1481646/rand=574422546>
~~~~ 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
<http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> .
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
be.
When we read I often ask my daughter questions about the book, but more
in a conversational way. I've noticed that she often misses many aspects
of the story. I might think her comprehension is lacking - but the truth
is she is very focused on other aspects of the story - the aspects of it
that really interest her.
When I thought about that with her I thought of how when I was in school
and they'd do those comprehension tests I always had to wonder who could
REALLY pay attention to every single detail. I thought they were dumb
tests. Then again, most tests are.
-----Original Message-----
From: Sorcha [mailto:sorcha-aisling@...]
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2003 9:47 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: [Unschooling-dotcom] Charlotte Mason
Oh, and I just thought about this part. Charlotte Mason didn't believe
in giving children tests. That's the "good news". The bad news is that
instead of giving tests, she had "narration." That is, the children
listen to a lesson and then say back what they learned. This is
supposed to help them concentrate on the lesson.
I can't imagine doing that with my children or with anyone else. I can
just see it: my husband gets home from work and I tell him all the great
new things I learned today (in digestible 15 minute chunks). Then I
stop and have him repeat back to me what he learned. Sounds the perfect
way to make sure he's never interested in anything I have to say!
Sorcha
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
ADVERTISEMENT
<http://rd.yahoo.com/M=246920.2960106.4328965.2848452/D=egroupweb/S=1705
081972:HM/A=1481646/R=0/*http://www.gotomypc.com/u/tr/yh/cpm/grp/300_fla
ke/g22lp?Target=mm/g22lp.tmpl>
<http://us.adserver.yahoo.com/l?M=246920.2960106.4328965.2848452/D=egrou
pmail/S=:HM/A=1481646/rand=574422546>
~~~~ 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
<http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> .
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 3/11/03 5:19:09 AM Central Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:
<< Right up until the moment I looked in the underwear drawer and saw a bunch
of
beyblades and roboriders.I had a hairy fit and demanded they be removed.
My wonderful son stated adamantly that they would stay there, he liked them
there and that ws that.
I swallowed , agreed, and thanked him for sticking up for himself, and left
his room alone!! >>
What a great story!! Thanks for sharing Nancy, and what a great way to honor
your sons wishes.
Ren
"The sun is shining--the sun is shining. That is the magic. The flowers are
growing--the roots are stirring. That is the magic. Being alive is the
magic--being strong is the magic The magic is in me--the magic is in
me....It's in every one of us."
----Frances Hodgson Burnett
[email protected] writes:
<< Right up until the moment I looked in the underwear drawer and saw a bunch
of
beyblades and roboriders.I had a hairy fit and demanded they be removed.
My wonderful son stated adamantly that they would stay there, he liked them
there and that ws that.
I swallowed , agreed, and thanked him for sticking up for himself, and left
his room alone!! >>
What a great story!! Thanks for sharing Nancy, and what a great way to honor
your sons wishes.
Ren
"The sun is shining--the sun is shining. That is the magic. The flowers are
growing--the roots are stirring. That is the magic. Being alive is the
magic--being strong is the magic The magic is in me--the magic is in
me....It's in every one of us."
----Frances Hodgson Burnett