Single, Working & Homeschooling/Unschooling Teen
Melinda
I just joined this group and I guess I'm still "nervous", for lack of
a better word, about my son and his homeschooling (he wants
unschooling). We just started homeschooling again after giving the
public high school "another chance" after Christmas this year. What a
disaster.
He is a *very* smart boy - if he wants to learn it, he'll do it. The
problem is those things he doesn't "want" to learn (Algebra, World
History, etc). Computers and guitar - he's all for it! I guess I
worry that he won't be able to pass the state-mandated yearly tests he
has to take if he doesn't have *some* kind of formal education at
home. Of course, I gave him a practice PSAT and he passed with flying
colors. Maybe *I* am the one who needs "deschooling". ; )
Another concern - he is utterly fascinated with pyrotechnics,
explosives, etc.. And of course, thinks he's invincible. Has anyone
dealt with this with teenage boys (or girls)?? How do you get them
over this "phase"!?!? Lately he wants to mix different things
together to "see what it'll do". I can hear some of you now "Oooo,
chemisty!!!" - which is fine WHEN I'M THERE! The problem is - I work
full time and he's home alone during the day quite a bit. The other
day at Walmart he asked for Liquid Plumber for pete's sake! : /
I'm thinking a nice field trip to a burn unit at the hospital would do
the trick. Any advice? Also, any advice about the testing and
unschooling would be great. Thanks!
a better word, about my son and his homeschooling (he wants
unschooling). We just started homeschooling again after giving the
public high school "another chance" after Christmas this year. What a
disaster.
He is a *very* smart boy - if he wants to learn it, he'll do it. The
problem is those things he doesn't "want" to learn (Algebra, World
History, etc). Computers and guitar - he's all for it! I guess I
worry that he won't be able to pass the state-mandated yearly tests he
has to take if he doesn't have *some* kind of formal education at
home. Of course, I gave him a practice PSAT and he passed with flying
colors. Maybe *I* am the one who needs "deschooling". ; )
Another concern - he is utterly fascinated with pyrotechnics,
explosives, etc.. And of course, thinks he's invincible. Has anyone
dealt with this with teenage boys (or girls)?? How do you get them
over this "phase"!?!? Lately he wants to mix different things
together to "see what it'll do". I can hear some of you now "Oooo,
chemisty!!!" - which is fine WHEN I'M THERE! The problem is - I work
full time and he's home alone during the day quite a bit. The other
day at Walmart he asked for Liquid Plumber for pete's sake! : /
I'm thinking a nice field trip to a burn unit at the hospital would do
the trick. Any advice? Also, any advice about the testing and
unschooling would be great. Thanks!
sorcha_aisling
About the testing, what state are you in and how high do the scores
have to be? Here in Ohio, they have to score in the twenty fifth
percentile, which I believe you could do by answering C for every
question. In some states you have to score in the thirteenth
percentile. Really. Look up your local district on one of those
websites that compares schools to each other (anyone have a link?).
Our district is not the best and our local school has absolutely
pathetic scores. You might be shocked by the test scores at your
local school.
The thing about standardized tests is that it's not a matter of how
many correct answers you get, it's a matter of how many correct
answers the average kid gets and how you score comparatively. The
average public schooled kid is bored, stressed-out, and resentful.
It's not hard for a self-motivated child who loves learning to score
better than that.
phase, he joined the Marines. <g> My mom let him have fireworks,
but only in the driveway, not the lawn or his bedroom. I wouldn't
let a child randomly mix household cleaners with anything -- the
results could be way too ugly. I'd buy him a book of chemistry
experiments and let him do them in a safe environment (basement?
kitchen? garage that doesn't have a car parked in it?). Even
scientists don't randomly pour liquids together and hope to survive.
And maybe it would help your peace of mind to purchase a fire
extinguisher.
Sorcha
have to be? Here in Ohio, they have to score in the twenty fifth
percentile, which I believe you could do by answering C for every
question. In some states you have to score in the thirteenth
percentile. Really. Look up your local district on one of those
websites that compares schools to each other (anyone have a link?).
Our district is not the best and our local school has absolutely
pathetic scores. You might be shocked by the test scores at your
local school.
The thing about standardized tests is that it's not a matter of how
many correct answers you get, it's a matter of how many correct
answers the average kid gets and how you score comparatively. The
average public schooled kid is bored, stressed-out, and resentful.
It's not hard for a self-motivated child who loves learning to score
better than that.
> Another concern - he is utterly fascinated with pyrotechnics,anyone
> explosives, etc.. And of course, thinks he's invincible. Has
> dealt with this with teenage boys (or girls)?? How do you get themWell, my brother went through that. And he didn't get out of the
> over this "phase"!?!?
phase, he joined the Marines. <g> My mom let him have fireworks,
but only in the driveway, not the lawn or his bedroom. I wouldn't
let a child randomly mix household cleaners with anything -- the
results could be way too ugly. I'd buy him a book of chemistry
experiments and let him do them in a safe environment (basement?
kitchen? garage that doesn't have a car parked in it?). Even
scientists don't randomly pour liquids together and hope to survive.
And maybe it would help your peace of mind to purchase a fire
extinguisher.
Sorcha
regina hogan
i have a boy 13 thats likes to play with fire and knives,,yes scarey to me but fun to him,,lol,,i have gave him my opion and the safety of these things and let him be,,he got burned,,not bad playing with a lighter when it blow up on him and he has not picked up one since,,thank god,,and the knives well he collects them same with his other brothers do,,but i have not saw them put them self or others in danger with them when they go to show off their collection so i think its they have respect for them and that makes me feel better.i no i am not much help but all i can advise is to them him your opion on the danger side of things and hope he understands to have respect for things that can hurt him,,but t6o make him stop well i just do not see that it can be done with force,its a choice he will have to make or not make in his own time,,he may tell you has and being hiding it from you but he has to be the one to stop.i know its scarey to hold your breath and hope for the best some times,,i do it all the time with my boys also,,good luck...
Melinda <melindav98@...> wrote:I just joined this group and I guess I'm still "nervous", for lack of
a better word, about my son and his homeschooling (he wants
unschooling). We just started homeschooling again after giving the
public high school "another chance" after Christmas this year. What a
disaster.
He is a *very* smart boy - if he wants to learn it, he'll do it. The
problem is those things he doesn't "want" to learn (Algebra, World
History, etc). Computers and guitar - he's all for it! I guess I
worry that he won't be able to pass the state-mandated yearly tests he
has to take if he doesn't have *some* kind of formal education at
home. Of course, I gave him a practice PSAT and he passed with flying
colors. Maybe *I* am the one who needs "deschooling". ; )
Another concern - he is utterly fascinated with pyrotechnics,
explosives, etc.. And of course, thinks he's invincible. Has anyone
dealt with this with teenage boys (or girls)?? How do you get them
over this "phase"!?!? Lately he wants to mix different things
together to "see what it'll do". I can hear some of you now "Oooo,
chemisty!!!" - which is fine WHEN I'M THERE! The problem is - I work
full time and he's home alone during the day quite a bit. The other
day at Walmart he asked for Liquid Plumber for pete's sake! : /
I'm thinking a nice field trip to a burn unit at the hospital would do
the trick. Any advice? Also, any advice about the testing and
unschooling would be great. Thanks!
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regina hogan,=mother to,robert age14,timothy age13
,justin age 12,matthew age 10 ashley age 16,,,,,homeschooled since august 2002!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.geocities.com/red2mickey/countrysidehomeschool.html
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Melinda <melindav98@...> wrote:I just joined this group and I guess I'm still "nervous", for lack of
a better word, about my son and his homeschooling (he wants
unschooling). We just started homeschooling again after giving the
public high school "another chance" after Christmas this year. What a
disaster.
He is a *very* smart boy - if he wants to learn it, he'll do it. The
problem is those things he doesn't "want" to learn (Algebra, World
History, etc). Computers and guitar - he's all for it! I guess I
worry that he won't be able to pass the state-mandated yearly tests he
has to take if he doesn't have *some* kind of formal education at
home. Of course, I gave him a practice PSAT and he passed with flying
colors. Maybe *I* am the one who needs "deschooling". ; )
Another concern - he is utterly fascinated with pyrotechnics,
explosives, etc.. And of course, thinks he's invincible. Has anyone
dealt with this with teenage boys (or girls)?? How do you get them
over this "phase"!?!? Lately he wants to mix different things
together to "see what it'll do". I can hear some of you now "Oooo,
chemisty!!!" - which is fine WHEN I'M THERE! The problem is - I work
full time and he's home alone during the day quite a bit. The other
day at Walmart he asked for Liquid Plumber for pete's sake! : /
I'm thinking a nice field trip to a burn unit at the hospital would do
the trick. Any advice? Also, any advice about the testing and
unschooling would be great. Thanks!
Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
~~~~ 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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Visit the Unschooling website: http://www.unschooling.com
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
regina hogan,=mother to,robert age14,timothy age13
,justin age 12,matthew age 10 ashley age 16,,,,,homeschooled since august 2002!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.geocities.com/red2mickey/countrysidehomeschool.html
---------------------------------
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The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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In a message dated 4/30/03 6:53:01 AM, melindav98@... writes:
<< He is a *very* smart boy - if he wants to learn it, he'll do it. The
problem is those things he doesn't "want" to learn (Algebra, World
History, etc). Computers and guitar - he's all for it! >>
Algebra and world history can be learned through interest in computers and
guitar.
You need more unschooling than he does. Seriously.
Here:
http://sandradodd.com/deschooling
http://sandradodd..com/disposable checklists
(Other articles might be better, but I'm having brain-slack today)
Sandra
<< He is a *very* smart boy - if he wants to learn it, he'll do it. The
problem is those things he doesn't "want" to learn (Algebra, World
History, etc). Computers and guitar - he's all for it! >>
Algebra and world history can be learned through interest in computers and
guitar.
You need more unschooling than he does. Seriously.
Here:
http://sandradodd.com/deschooling
http://sandradodd..com/disposable checklists
(Other articles might be better, but I'm having brain-slack today)
Sandra
Tammy
ooo that reminds me the time I almost set the livingroom on fire...messing
with a lighter, trying to refill it and had a paper towel wrapped around it
when I lit it.. never tried that again..I was 14.
*****not bad playing with a lighter when it blow up on him and he has not picked up one since,,thank god,,****
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
with a lighter, trying to refill it and had a paper towel wrapped around it
when I lit it.. never tried that again..I was 14.
*****not bad playing with a lighter when it blow up on him and he has not picked up one since,,thank god,,****
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Backstrom kelli
My dh doesnt know a darn thing about world history or algebra (except politics and things that really peek his interest) he spent most of his days locked away in his bedroom learning the guitar by himself. He know supports our entire family with this gift by teaching and playing publically. He is a great example of unschooling success:) Kelli
SandraDodd@... wrote:
In a message dated 4/30/03 6:53:01 AM, melindav98@... writes:
<< He is a *very* smart boy - if he wants to learn it, he'll do it. The
problem is those things he doesn't "want" to learn (Algebra, World
History, etc). Computers and guitar - he's all for it! >>
Algebra and world history can be learned through interest in computers and
guitar.
You need more unschooling than he does. Seriously.
Here:
http://sandradodd.com/deschooling
http://sandradodd..com/disposable checklists
(Other articles might be better, but I'm having brain-slack today)
Sandra
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~~~~ Don't forget! If you change topics, change the subject line! ~~~~
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To unsubscribe from this group, click on the following link or address an email to:
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Visit the Unschooling website: http://www.unschooling.com
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
---------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
SandraDodd@... wrote:
In a message dated 4/30/03 6:53:01 AM, melindav98@... writes:
<< He is a *very* smart boy - if he wants to learn it, he'll do it. The
problem is those things he doesn't "want" to learn (Algebra, World
History, etc). Computers and guitar - he's all for it! >>
Algebra and world history can be learned through interest in computers and
guitar.
You need more unschooling than he does. Seriously.
Here:
http://sandradodd.com/deschooling
http://sandradodd..com/disposable checklists
(Other articles might be better, but I'm having brain-slack today)
Sandra
Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
~~~~ 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.
---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]