Re: [Unschooling-Discussion] what would you buy?
[email protected]
I'm feeling a little overwhelmed right now. The public school week starts
in about 3 weeks in our state. Last year, I homeschooled (schooled at home)
only my 15 yo son, and everyone else was in public school. I pretty much just
got permission from the caseworker to homeschool our foster sons, I'm pulling
our adopted son out of school, and my two daughters will be leaving public
school also. We are to the point that everyone is OK with it. Honestly, I think
they're all just glad they won't have to get up at 6:00 am and ride the bus
for an hour again. :o) I have to send the letter of intent in before school
starts.
Anyhow, I'm finding myself looking at catalogs, Internet sites, garage sales,
wondering what to buy. Because we have always been a school at home family,
we don't have many games other than the regular "milton bradley type" board
games. I don't want to blow a bunch of money on stuff that will just sit. I
also don't want to fall into buying a bunch of curriculum. I REALLY want to do
this right. If you were just beginning to unschool, knowing what you know
now, and you had some money to spend of fun, cool stuff, what would you buy?
Also, what would you do for a while? Would you take a good while and see
what everyone wants to do? Am I getting ready to be pulled like taffy into 6
different directions? :oO
2 of my boys can barely read, and it means a LOT to them to be able to. If
learning to read is what a child REALLY wants, would any of you get some sort
of aides or maybe computer games to help them with this? Would you just read a
lot to them?
Much appreciation in advance.
Nancy B. in WV
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
in about 3 weeks in our state. Last year, I homeschooled (schooled at home)
only my 15 yo son, and everyone else was in public school. I pretty much just
got permission from the caseworker to homeschool our foster sons, I'm pulling
our adopted son out of school, and my two daughters will be leaving public
school also. We are to the point that everyone is OK with it. Honestly, I think
they're all just glad they won't have to get up at 6:00 am and ride the bus
for an hour again. :o) I have to send the letter of intent in before school
starts.
Anyhow, I'm finding myself looking at catalogs, Internet sites, garage sales,
wondering what to buy. Because we have always been a school at home family,
we don't have many games other than the regular "milton bradley type" board
games. I don't want to blow a bunch of money on stuff that will just sit. I
also don't want to fall into buying a bunch of curriculum. I REALLY want to do
this right. If you were just beginning to unschool, knowing what you know
now, and you had some money to spend of fun, cool stuff, what would you buy?
Also, what would you do for a while? Would you take a good while and see
what everyone wants to do? Am I getting ready to be pulled like taffy into 6
different directions? :oO
2 of my boys can barely read, and it means a LOT to them to be able to. If
learning to read is what a child REALLY wants, would any of you get some sort
of aides or maybe computer games to help them with this? Would you just read a
lot to them?
Much appreciation in advance.
Nancy B. in WV
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/8/2003 9:25:27 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
CelticFrau@... writes:
copies at the conference for sale, so you can pick y'all can pick one up
here! Thanks, Valerie!). I'd also come to the conference---you can't buy that kind
of unschooling-learning/support/joy in any store! A lot of paper---lots and
lots of paper. Some really good, high-quality art supplies. A couple of hundred
dollars of Blockbuster gift certificates. Zoombini's computer games---one and
three (two's not as good!). A few new ethnic cookbooks. Some cool board
games---Anne had a cool one at her river house---I'll have to ask her the name!
nothing in particular. Let each day plan itself for a while---or go on a
vacation. Watch unschool-y movies and draw and play with clay and cook new foods.
Play like you're all five again---see the world through five-year-old eyes
again!!
Surviving the Applewhites, and Pippi Longstocking and such--let them "see"
fictional unschoolers.
Every day is Saturday and every month is June. Have fun--and "Live your lives
as if school didn't exist".
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
CelticFrau@... writes:
> If you were just beginning to unschool, knowing what you knowValerie Fitzenreiter's new book, The Unprocessed Child (and I'll have 4 dozen
> now, and you had some money to spend of fun, cool stuff, what would you buy?
>
copies at the conference for sale, so you can pick y'all can pick one up
here! Thanks, Valerie!). I'd also come to the conference---you can't buy that kind
of unschooling-learning/support/joy in any store! A lot of paper---lots and
lots of paper. Some really good, high-quality art supplies. A couple of hundred
dollars of Blockbuster gift certificates. Zoombini's computer games---one and
three (two's not as good!). A few new ethnic cookbooks. Some cool board
games---Anne had a cool one at her river house---I'll have to ask her the name!
>Yes. Probably, but maybe not---depends on their interests! <g> I'd just do
> Also, what would you do for a while? Would you take a good while and see
> what everyone wants to do? Am I getting ready to be pulled like taffy into
> 6
> different directions? :oO
nothing in particular. Let each day plan itself for a while---or go on a
vacation. Watch unschool-y movies and draw and play with clay and cook new foods.
Play like you're all five again---see the world through five-year-old eyes
again!!
>Read, read, read. And read unschool-y books, like Skellig and Stargirl and
> 2 of my boys can barely read, and it means a LOT to them to be able to. If
> learning to read is what a child REALLY wants, would any of you get some
> sort
> of aides or maybe computer games to help them with this? Would you just
> read a
> lot to them?
Surviving the Applewhites, and Pippi Longstocking and such--let them "see"
fictional unschoolers.
Every day is Saturday and every month is June. Have fun--and "Live your lives
as if school didn't exist".
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
On Fri, 8 Aug 2003 21:24:23 EDT CelticFrau@... writes:
comfortable unschooling, there will be a lot of things that people
discover that they do want. OTOH, it would help to have some cool stuff
around, to get to that place. What sounds fun to you? Have you always
wanted to tie dye, or be able to identify stars and planets in the sky,
or know the words to all the songs from My Fair Lady? Get stuff for
that... and think about your kids, and maybe get a few things that seem
like they would be interested in. There are some little science kits in
the Rainbow Resource catalog for like $2 each, and at one point I bought
a bunch and about half of them seemed interesting at some point and got
done, in some fashion - the rest are still on a shelf. OTOH, some of them
led to other things. I wouldn't spend a lot of money on any one thing,
but get stuff that is more of a first step, if that makes sense.
Your boys who can't read well have been in the system, right? So they've
been dealing with the messages that:
1. They *should* know how to read by now
2. Because they aren't reading, they're defective
3. Reading is a Very Important Thing.
I would focus a lot more on undoing those three wrong messages than on
any sort of reading aids. If they say they want to read, maybe you could
get a stack of comic-type books (both comic books and books of comics,
like The Far Side, and Calvin and Hobbes and Foxtrot) and just leave them
around, they're pretty enjoyable even if you can't read them, or can't
read all of the words. I know one kid who learned to read by turning the
close captioning on on his TV, without ever consciously working at it.
Or if they like computer games, you could just get regular computer
games, like Age of Empires maybe, or Sims, and there's reading in those
games, too... it's just not drill-stuff, it's real.
Dar
> Anyhow, I'm finding myself looking at catalogs, Internet sites, garagesales,
> wondering what to buy.I wouldn't spend a big wad, because I'm guessing that as you all get more
comfortable unschooling, there will be a lot of things that people
discover that they do want. OTOH, it would help to have some cool stuff
around, to get to that place. What sounds fun to you? Have you always
wanted to tie dye, or be able to identify stars and planets in the sky,
or know the words to all the songs from My Fair Lady? Get stuff for
that... and think about your kids, and maybe get a few things that seem
like they would be interested in. There are some little science kits in
the Rainbow Resource catalog for like $2 each, and at one point I bought
a bunch and about half of them seemed interesting at some point and got
done, in some fashion - the rest are still on a shelf. OTOH, some of them
led to other things. I wouldn't spend a lot of money on any one thing,
but get stuff that is more of a first step, if that makes sense.
Your boys who can't read well have been in the system, right? So they've
been dealing with the messages that:
1. They *should* know how to read by now
2. Because they aren't reading, they're defective
3. Reading is a Very Important Thing.
I would focus a lot more on undoing those three wrong messages than on
any sort of reading aids. If they say they want to read, maybe you could
get a stack of comic-type books (both comic books and books of comics,
like The Far Side, and Calvin and Hobbes and Foxtrot) and just leave them
around, they're pretty enjoyable even if you can't read them, or can't
read all of the words. I know one kid who learned to read by turning the
close captioning on on his TV, without ever consciously working at it.
Or if they like computer games, you could just get regular computer
games, like Age of Empires maybe, or Sims, and there's reading in those
games, too... it's just not drill-stuff, it's real.
Dar
Joylyn
CelticFrau@... wrote:
whatever. Unschooling means, to me, that you are doing what the kids
want to do, following their lead. Janene is using a phonix reading
workbook, her choice.
What do they think will help them to learn to read better?
Joylyn
>Unschooling does not mean not using curriculum or books or workbooks or
>
> 2 of my boys can barely read, and it means a LOT to them to be able
> to. If
> learning to read is what a child REALLY wants, would any of you get
> some sort
> of aides or maybe computer games to help them with this? Would you
> just read a
> lot to them?
whatever. Unschooling means, to me, that you are doing what the kids
want to do, following their lead. Janene is using a phonix reading
workbook, her choice.
What do they think will help them to learn to read better?
Joylyn
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/8/03 7:25:05 PM, CelticFrau@... writes:
<< If you were just beginning to unschool, knowing what you know
now, and you had some money to spend of fun, cool stuff, what would you buy?
Magnets
Lego or K'nex or something like that
Used books like DK or Usborne or some of the European books of that sort.
They're picture books, but they have things even experts in the fields don't
know, and lots have great photos. You can't help but learn from those even if
you just open one page one time.
Videos, or a membership in Netflix (or both)
Another computer if you don't have two?
Computer games (used, probably, to be cheap!)
good art supplies if they're interested
yard stuff? bikes? pogo stick? swings? depends on the kids
<< If you were just beginning to unschool, knowing what you know
now, and you had some money to spend of fun, cool stuff, what would you buy?
>>Partly depends what's at the thrift stores and garage sales.
Magnets
Lego or K'nex or something like that
Used books like DK or Usborne or some of the European books of that sort.
They're picture books, but they have things even experts in the fields don't
know, and lots have great photos. You can't help but learn from those even if
you just open one page one time.
Videos, or a membership in Netflix (or both)
Another computer if you don't have two?
Computer games (used, probably, to be cheap!)
good art supplies if they're interested
yard stuff? bikes? pogo stick? swings? depends on the kids
Joylyn
freeform@... wrote:
complained to Lexie a few years ago she said something like "it helped
me learn to read, and it helps me to build my vocabulary, I like it." I
have heard nothing negative about it from my dad again. I like it too,
it helps me to watch shows on mute.
Joylyn
> I know one kid who learned to read by turning theMy dad hates the Close captioning. Lexie and I love it. When he
> close captioning on on his TV, without ever consciously working at it.
complained to Lexie a few years ago she said something like "it helped
me learn to read, and it helps me to build my vocabulary, I like it." I
have heard nothing negative about it from my dad again. I like it too,
it helps me to watch shows on mute.
Joylyn
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/8/2003 10:09:45 PM Eastern Standard Time,
joylyn@... writes:
"Teach your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons." I used it for 3 of my 4 bio kids,
and with our adopted son. All 4 loved it and all 4 read really well.
Definately not hard for the kids.
I do know, though, that the boys love computer stuff. Saw a program called
"Phonics Tutor" that is pretty pricy (90.00) but says it's a simple program
designed especially for kids who have had a lot of reading difficulties in the
past. Still, might be too plain for them after playing Nintendo and
Playstation. I hate to buy it and lose 90.00 *sigh* Maybe we'll try the book first and
see how it goes.
Nancy B. from WV
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
joylyn@... writes:
> What do they think will help them to learn to read better?I asked them and they have no idea :o) I have a beat up old edition of
>
> Joylyn
>
"Teach your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons." I used it for 3 of my 4 bio kids,
and with our adopted son. All 4 loved it and all 4 read really well.
Definately not hard for the kids.
I do know, though, that the boys love computer stuff. Saw a program called
"Phonics Tutor" that is pretty pricy (90.00) but says it's a simple program
designed especially for kids who have had a lot of reading difficulties in the
past. Still, might be too plain for them after playing Nintendo and
Playstation. I hate to buy it and lose 90.00 *sigh* Maybe we'll try the book first and
see how it goes.
Nancy B. from WV
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/8/03 7:50:31 PM, kbcdlovejo@... writes:
<< Read, read, read. And read unschool-y books, like Skellig and Stargirl and
Surviving the Applewhites, and Pippi Longstocking and such--let them "see"
fictional unschoolers. >>
And there are movies you could watch with them too, that have
unschooling-like themes:
Mary Poppins
Heidi
Ferris Beuller's Day Off
Searching for Bobby Fischer
The Sound of Music
That's my short list for getting to unschooling the easy way, with popcorn!
Sandra
<< Read, read, read. And read unschool-y books, like Skellig and Stargirl and
Surviving the Applewhites, and Pippi Longstocking and such--let them "see"
fictional unschoolers. >>
And there are movies you could watch with them too, that have
unschooling-like themes:
Mary Poppins
Heidi
Ferris Beuller's Day Off
Searching for Bobby Fischer
The Sound of Music
That's my short list for getting to unschooling the easy way, with popcorn!
Sandra
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/8/2003 10:21:40 PM Eastern Standard Time,
freeform@... writes:
this way. I've probably added to it, not meaning to. I appreciate your
thoughts. I'll try and keep it very low key and let them lead. Both are VERY
artistic (although the youngest doesn't believe me yet) so maybe we'll just veer
that way and see what happens.
Nancy B. in WV
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
freeform@... writes:
> Your boys who can't read well have been in the system, right? So they'veWow, sounds like you've met my boys...so true. The oldest (12) really feels
> been dealing with the messages that:
> 1. They *should* know how to read by now
> 2. Because they aren't reading, they're defective
> 3. Reading is a Very Important Thing.
>
> I would focus a lot more on undoing those three wrong messages than on
> any sort of reading aids.
this way. I've probably added to it, not meaning to. I appreciate your
thoughts. I'll try and keep it very low key and let them lead. Both are VERY
artistic (although the youngest doesn't believe me yet) so maybe we'll just veer
that way and see what happens.
Nancy B. in WV
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/8/2003 10:36:38 PM Eastern Standard Time,
SandraDodd@... writes:
sale stuff. I Picked up a few games today at sales and a bunch of fisher-price
little people type toys...LOL! Also, a big, huge box of play dishes and food.
I know, the youngest is 9, but they didn't get a lot of that type of play
when they were little.
We also got a big, fat, heavy oak old kindergarten table at a yard sale
(probably twice the size of most coffee tables) to put in the living room instead
of the coffee table. The top of it is worn and scratched anyhow, so it'll be
great for lots of fun stuff. Also got a kids pottery wheel...might be a little
cheesy but what the heck..they'll have fun with it.
Thanks to EVERYONE for all these great ideas...xoxoxoxoxo
Nancy B. in WV
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
SandraDodd@... writes:
> And there are movies you could watch with them too, that haveGreat idea...I feel so much better! And thanks for the ideas about garage
> unschooling-like themes:
>
> Mary Poppins
> Heidi
> Ferris Beuller's Day Off
> Searching for Bobby Fischer
> The Sound of Music
>
> That's my short list for getting to unschooling the easy way, with popcorn!
>
sale stuff. I Picked up a few games today at sales and a bunch of fisher-price
little people type toys...LOL! Also, a big, huge box of play dishes and food.
I know, the youngest is 9, but they didn't get a lot of that type of play
when they were little.
We also got a big, fat, heavy oak old kindergarten table at a yard sale
(probably twice the size of most coffee tables) to put in the living room instead
of the coffee table. The top of it is worn and scratched anyhow, so it'll be
great for lots of fun stuff. Also got a kids pottery wheel...might be a little
cheesy but what the heck..they'll have fun with it.
Thanks to EVERYONE for all these great ideas...xoxoxoxoxo
Nancy B. in WV
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/8/03 8:30:31 PM, CelticFrau@... writes:
<< Still, might be too plain for them after playing Nintendo and
Playstation. >>
My kids learned to read from playing Nintendo (Kirby, and using players'
guides and Nintendo Power) and Playstation (Marty, who bought a used playstation
with his own saved-up money, and learned to read with the Player's Guide to
Breath of Fire III).
Sandra
<< Still, might be too plain for them after playing Nintendo and
Playstation. >>
My kids learned to read from playing Nintendo (Kirby, and using players'
guides and Nintendo Power) and Playstation (Marty, who bought a used playstation
with his own saved-up money, and learned to read with the Player's Guide to
Breath of Fire III).
Sandra
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/8/03 8:46:25 PM, CelticFrau@... writes:
<< I Picked up a few games today at sales and a bunch of fisher-price
little people type toys...LOL! Also, a big, huge box of play dishes and
food.
I know, the youngest is 9, but they didn't get a lot of that type of play
when they were little. >>
Holly got a Fisher Price little store-thing just last week at a thrift store.
She's 11, and she still sometimes hauls out the (mostly used, some new from
Kirby's toddler days) Fisher Price Little People still-sprawling village, all
over the floor of Keith's office. We still have the piece of blue cloth that
serves as a lake (for the RV to park next to and the boats to sit on) which
we've had for at least a dozen years. We have the motorcycle I bought for a
nickel at a garage sale.
Sandra
<< I Picked up a few games today at sales and a bunch of fisher-price
little people type toys...LOL! Also, a big, huge box of play dishes and
food.
I know, the youngest is 9, but they didn't get a lot of that type of play
when they were little. >>
Holly got a Fisher Price little store-thing just last week at a thrift store.
She's 11, and she still sometimes hauls out the (mostly used, some new from
Kirby's toddler days) Fisher Price Little People still-sprawling village, all
over the floor of Keith's office. We still have the piece of blue cloth that
serves as a lake (for the RV to park next to and the boats to sit on) which
we've had for at least a dozen years. We have the motorcycle I bought for a
nickel at a garage sale.
Sandra
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/8/2003 11:25:23 PM Eastern Standard Time,
SandraDodd@... writes:
my 4-years-younger sister had them all...the village, the farm, the house,
the garage, the zoo, the schoolhouse (my favorite)...she was my "excuse" to play
with them....(secretly, I loved it) What great toys they were! They aren't
made the same anymore. Now they're big fat people. They were so teeny and
nice before..fit in my sister's little pockets. The old sets sell for big bucks
on ebay now. :o( Hard to find at yard sales anymore. I REALLY got lucky
today.
Nancy B. in WV
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
SandraDodd@... writes:
> Holly got a Fisher Price little store-thing just last week at a thriftThe little people toys came out when I was considered too "old" for them, but
> store.
> She's 11, and she still sometimes hauls out the (mostly used, some new from
> Kirby's toddler days) Fisher Price Little People still-sprawling village,
> all
> over the floor of Keith's office. We still have the piece of blue cloth
> that
> serves as a lake (for the RV to park next to and the boats to sit on) which
> we've had for at least a dozen years. We have the motorcycle I bought for a
>
> nickel at a garage sale.
>
my 4-years-younger sister had them all...the village, the farm, the house,
the garage, the zoo, the schoolhouse (my favorite)...she was my "excuse" to play
with them....(secretly, I loved it) What great toys they were! They aren't
made the same anymore. Now they're big fat people. They were so teeny and
nice before..fit in my sister's little pockets. The old sets sell for big bucks
on ebay now. :o( Hard to find at yard sales anymore. I REALLY got lucky
today.
Nancy B. in WV
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Alan & Brenda Leonard
8/9/03 04:32:
Applewhites was a runner-up, better known as a Newbery Honor book, for 2003.
I enjoyed it, and was glad to see an unschooling book get such high praise.
And a Newbery questions, too. Tim just read the 1952 Newbery winner (Ginger
Pye) and wanted to know what the winning author gets besides a medal. Like
money or anything? I didn't find the answer at the Newbery site. We
wondered if maybe it is just an award that's a major honor, garners the
author great publicity for the book, and guarantees bigger sales and hence
more $$ that way. Anybody know?
Thank you to anyone more informed or more willing to dig online.
brenda
> Read, read, read. And read unschool-y books, like Skellig and Stargirl andSay, I was on the Newbery Medal website recently and saw that Surviving the
> Surviving the Applewhites, and Pippi Longstocking and such--let them "see"
> fictional unschoolers.
Applewhites was a runner-up, better known as a Newbery Honor book, for 2003.
I enjoyed it, and was glad to see an unschooling book get such high praise.
And a Newbery questions, too. Tim just read the 1952 Newbery winner (Ginger
Pye) and wanted to know what the winning author gets besides a medal. Like
money or anything? I didn't find the answer at the Newbery site. We
wondered if maybe it is just an award that's a major honor, garners the
author great publicity for the book, and guarantees bigger sales and hence
more $$ that way. Anybody know?
Thank you to anyone more informed or more willing to dig online.
brenda
Betsy
**Also, a big, huge box of play dishes and food.
I know, the youngest is 9, but they didn't get a lot of that type of play
when they were little. **
I think every "play deprived" child would love some playdoh and maybe
some device for extruding it into different worm shapes.
**The money doesn't have to be spent now. "Back to school" time is only
for schools, you don't have to figure out a year's worth of interests
and fun by Sept. 1.**
They're selling some cool, accordion-folding rulers at Wal-mart with the
back to school stuff and a measuring tape is a tool that most kids love.
Betsy
I know, the youngest is 9, but they didn't get a lot of that type of play
when they were little. **
I think every "play deprived" child would love some playdoh and maybe
some device for extruding it into different worm shapes.
**The money doesn't have to be spent now. "Back to school" time is only
for schools, you don't have to figure out a year's worth of interests
and fun by Sept. 1.**
They're selling some cool, accordion-folding rulers at Wal-mart with the
back to school stuff and a measuring tape is a tool that most kids love.
Betsy
Betsy
**
I wouldn't spend a big wad, because I'm guessing that as you all get more
comfortable unschooling, there will be a lot of things that people
discover that they do want.**
I think one can get a lot of mileage out of buying kids things that they
already love. (Rather than buying them stuff that they aren't
interested in and hoping it will rub off on them. It took me a long
time and a certain amount of ill-spent money before I 'got' this idea.)
Betsy
I wouldn't spend a big wad, because I'm guessing that as you all get more
comfortable unschooling, there will be a lot of things that people
discover that they do want.**
I think one can get a lot of mileage out of buying kids things that they
already love. (Rather than buying them stuff that they aren't
interested in and hoping it will rub off on them. It took me a long
time and a certain amount of ill-spent money before I 'got' this idea.)
Betsy
Pamela Sorooshian
On Friday, August 8, 2003, at 06:49 PM, kbcdlovejo@... wrote:
compatible, but....
if anybody knows how to do it, please write to me offlist. I'll thank
you profusely because I LOVE playing Zoombinis.
-pam
> Zoombini's computer games---one andSpeaking of that, I can't make it work on my iBook/OS X -- it is mac
> three (two's not as good!).
compatible, but....
if anybody knows how to do it, please write to me offlist. I'll thank
you profusely because I LOVE playing Zoombinis.
-pam
Pamela Sorooshian
On Friday, August 8, 2003, at 07:14 PM, SandraDodd@... wrote:
interest the wanting-to-read kids. Harry Potter books on tape or cd -
the ones read by Stephen Fry - the British versions because they give
you even more to talk about.
-pam
> << If you were just beginning to unschool, knowing what you knowJim Weiss cd's and lots of other audio books - especially ones to
> now, and you had some money to spend of fun, cool stuff, what would
> you buy?
interest the wanting-to-read kids. Harry Potter books on tape or cd -
the ones read by Stephen Fry - the British versions because they give
you even more to talk about.
-pam
Pamela Sorooshian
I'd buy memberships to some cool place around where you live - a
science museum or children's museum or zoo or aquarium ---
-pam
science museum or children's museum or zoo or aquarium ---
-pam
Pamela Sorooshian
On Friday, August 8, 2003, at 07:45 PM, CelticFrau@... wrote:
She has a LOT of them and plays by herself with them for hours and
hours.
-pam
> Also, a big, huge box of play dishes and food.My 12 1/2 yo still REALLY likes to play with fake food and play dishes.
> I know, the youngest is 9, but they didn't get a lot of that type of
> play
> when they were little.
She has a LOT of them and plays by herself with them for hours and
hours.
-pam
Pamela Sorooshian
On Friday, August 8, 2003, at 10:09 PM, Betsy wrote:
flavorings that smell good - peppermint or pineapple or chocolate or
whatever. And you can add things like oatmeal to make different
textures.
Here is a playdough recipe from a Klutz book - I'd triple it at least -
its no fun to have just a tiny bit of playdough.
Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1/4 cup salt
2 T cream of tartar
2 Tsp food coloring
1Tvegetable oil
1cup water
Directions:
1) Mix the flour, salt, and cream of tarter in a medium pot
2) Add water, food coloring and oil
3) Stir over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Don't worry if the mixture
looks like a lumpy mess; it's turn into dough
4) When the mixture forms a ball in the center of the pot, turn off
the stove and let it cool. Then take it out of the pot and put it onto
a floured surface. Knead it several times.
5) Store in the Ziploc bag or airtight container in the fridge.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> I think every "play deprived" child would love some playdoh and maybeMake the playdough yourselves - and add weird stuff to it. Start with
> some device for extruding it into different worm shapes.
flavorings that smell good - peppermint or pineapple or chocolate or
whatever. And you can add things like oatmeal to make different
textures.
Here is a playdough recipe from a Klutz book - I'd triple it at least -
its no fun to have just a tiny bit of playdough.
Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1/4 cup salt
2 T cream of tartar
2 Tsp food coloring
1Tvegetable oil
1cup water
Directions:
1) Mix the flour, salt, and cream of tarter in a medium pot
2) Add water, food coloring and oil
3) Stir over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Don't worry if the mixture
looks like a lumpy mess; it's turn into dough
4) When the mixture forms a ball in the center of the pot, turn off
the stove and let it cool. Then take it out of the pot and put it onto
a floured surface. Knead it several times.
5) Store in the Ziploc bag or airtight container in the fridge.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Robyn Coburn
<< I think one can get a lot of mileage out of buying kids things that
they already love.>>
Boy you sure are right about that. We only buy Jayn toys she expresses a
desire for, from spotting them in the stores, online or more rarely at
someone else's house. We don't have any surprises I guess - she has
already planned her present for her 4th birthday in October - but she
loves all her things, rotates them around and combines them in different
ways.
We are fortunate because we live near the Mattel/Fisher-Price Warehouse
outlet that has huge discounts, and sometimes fun stuff like the same
toys in Japanese packaging.
Jayn has also got a lot of mileage out of toys that come with fast food
meals. Sometimes they are remarkable.
One place to possibly spend some money is on high speed or broadband
internet access rather than standard dial up. Also a satellite dish or
Tivo system that allows recording on to the disc.
Robyn Coburn
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
they already love.>>
Boy you sure are right about that. We only buy Jayn toys she expresses a
desire for, from spotting them in the stores, online or more rarely at
someone else's house. We don't have any surprises I guess - she has
already planned her present for her 4th birthday in October - but she
loves all her things, rotates them around and combines them in different
ways.
We are fortunate because we live near the Mattel/Fisher-Price Warehouse
outlet that has huge discounts, and sometimes fun stuff like the same
toys in Japanese packaging.
Jayn has also got a lot of mileage out of toys that come with fast food
meals. Sometimes they are remarkable.
One place to possibly spend some money is on high speed or broadband
internet access rather than standard dial up. Also a satellite dish or
Tivo system that allows recording on to the disc.
Robyn Coburn
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Julie Solich
>popcorn!
> And there are movies you could watch with them too, that have
> unschooling-like themes:
>
> Mary Poppins
> Heidi
> Ferris Beuller's Day Off
> Searching for Bobby Fischer
> The Sound of Music
>
> That's my short list for getting to unschooling the easy way, with
>And Hook and Fly Away Home. Great movies.
> Sandra
>
Julie
>the moderator, Joyce Fetteroll (fetteroll@...), or the list owner,
> ~~~~ Don't forget! If you change topics, change the subject line! ~~~~
>
> If you have questions, concerns or problems with this list, please email
Helen Hegener (HEM-Editor@...).
>email to:
> To unsubscribe from this group, click on the following link or address an
> [email protected]
>
> Visit the Unschooling website: http://www.unschooling.com
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/9/2003 1:35:53 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
pamsoroosh@... writes:
Live & Learn Unschooling Conference in Columbia, SC 22-24 August 2003!
And he will, of course, be selling his tapes and cds. I've been told we're
buying all of them---as well as a CATALOGUE full of Usborne books! I don't know
where Duncan thinks I'm grtting the $$$ (a bunch of dogs next week???), but
he's ready to SHOP!
I'll highly recommend Jim's stuff---we have four or five right now, and will
buy a few more, for sure!
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
pamsoroosh@... writes:
> Jim Weiss cd's and lots of other audio books -And he will be at the ------everybody together now!---
Live & Learn Unschooling Conference in Columbia, SC 22-24 August 2003!
And he will, of course, be selling his tapes and cds. I've been told we're
buying all of them---as well as a CATALOGUE full of Usborne books! I don't know
where Duncan thinks I'm grtting the $$$ (a bunch of dogs next week???), but
he's ready to SHOP!
I'll highly recommend Jim's stuff---we have four or five right now, and will
buy a few more, for sure!
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/9/2003 1:38:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
pamsoroosh@... writes:
ones that think you're off your rocker! At LEAST it "educational". <G>
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
pamsoroosh@... writes:
> I'd buy memberships to some cool place around where you live - aOH! These make GREAT Christmas presents from grandparents---especially the
> science museum or children's museum or zoo or aquarium ---
ones that think you're off your rocker! At LEAST it "educational". <G>
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Barb Eaton
on 8/9/03 8:06 AM, kbcdlovejo@... at kbcdlovejo@... wrote:
We'll also save shipping and handling. LOL! I have my list. <BG>
Barb E
"The beginning is the most important part of the work."
- Plato, Philosopher
We'll also save shipping and handling. LOL! I have my list. <BG>
Barb E
"The beginning is the most important part of the work."
- Plato, Philosopher
> Live & Learn Unschooling Conference in Columbia, SC 22-24 August 2003!
>
>
> I'll highly recommend Jim's stuff---we have four or five right now, and will
> buy a few more, for sure!
>
> ~Kelly
Barb Eaton
Please send that help my way too. I have a Power Mac 7200/90. Pretty
sure with an upgrade of memory. We can't get our copy to work either.The
newer one, Mountain Rescue I think is too new for this Mac.:-( We have it. I
tryed. bummer
Barb E
³A man should never be ashamed to own that he has been
in the wrong, which is but saying...that he is wiser today
than yesterday.²
- Jonathan Swift, Author
on 8/9/03 1:30 AM, Pamela Sorooshian at pamsoroosh@... wrote:
sure with an upgrade of memory. We can't get our copy to work either.The
newer one, Mountain Rescue I think is too new for this Mac.:-( We have it. I
tryed. bummer
Barb E
³A man should never be ashamed to own that he has been
in the wrong, which is but saying...that he is wiser today
than yesterday.²
- Jonathan Swift, Author
on 8/9/03 1:30 AM, Pamela Sorooshian at pamsoroosh@... wrote:
>
> On Friday, August 8, 2003, at 06:49 PM, kbcdlovejo@... wrote:
>
>> Zoombini's computer games---one and
>> three (two's not as good!).
>
> Speaking of that, I can't make it work on my iBook/OS X -- it is mac
> compatible, but....
>
> if anybody knows how to do it, please write to me offlist. I'll thank
> you profusely because I LOVE playing Zoombinis.
>
> -pam
Nancy Liedel
Nancy B.
YOU GOT PERMISSION TO HOME EDUCATE YOUR FOSTER CHILDREN??? WOW I AM SO
IMPRESSED. Our caseworker said no when we had foster kids so we don't foster
anymore. We will adopt older in a couple of years.
Ok.. to answer your question, and bear in mind I have a lot of stuff.
We have memberships to both Mentura and Netflix for movies (Mentura is for
educational movies). We also have a membership to the Hands on Museum here
in Ann Arbor. I buy books at garage sales and I am not married to buying
books they are interested in. I get books that look like they might be
interesting to someone in the future etc. We purchased the complete set of
National Geographic magazines on CD ROM along with all the maps. I have
workbooks because I break down sometimes and want to "prove" things to
myself (This is completely my failing but I learned that sometimes I need to
satisfy my inner Professor). My kids will sometimes pick them up because
they are interesting (we have some unusual ones, like Geography and
Astronomy which combine reading and other skills so it is interesting for
them).
We buy software that looks interesting all the time too, usually used if we
can find it. We have counting bears for my middle son to play with (he
adores them) and board games they like, playing cards for games of War (very
popular here) and go fish and more advanced games. I have several books on
nature projects in case anyone gets interested in doing an experiment. Some
days they will suggest it and some days I will ask if anyone is interested
in taking a walk and then doing something with what they find. Usually it is
a yes to the walk idea. I also have a lot of cookbooks and if I start
cooking someone might come in the kitchen and cook too. I have books on
craft ideas but favorite crafts are pretty adult projects around here. I
spin and weave and both older boys have asked to learn this winter when I
pull the yarn out again. My oldest son really wants to learn karate and I am
looking for a good local class. The class I recently found is so regimented
that all the fun seems to have leeched out of it.
I have art supplies and old Paper Towel Rolls as well as the dog to play
with and brushes ready to go for them. So far I just try to keep stuff out
that might interest someone at some time.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
YOU GOT PERMISSION TO HOME EDUCATE YOUR FOSTER CHILDREN??? WOW I AM SO
IMPRESSED. Our caseworker said no when we had foster kids so we don't foster
anymore. We will adopt older in a couple of years.
Ok.. to answer your question, and bear in mind I have a lot of stuff.
We have memberships to both Mentura and Netflix for movies (Mentura is for
educational movies). We also have a membership to the Hands on Museum here
in Ann Arbor. I buy books at garage sales and I am not married to buying
books they are interested in. I get books that look like they might be
interesting to someone in the future etc. We purchased the complete set of
National Geographic magazines on CD ROM along with all the maps. I have
workbooks because I break down sometimes and want to "prove" things to
myself (This is completely my failing but I learned that sometimes I need to
satisfy my inner Professor). My kids will sometimes pick them up because
they are interesting (we have some unusual ones, like Geography and
Astronomy which combine reading and other skills so it is interesting for
them).
We buy software that looks interesting all the time too, usually used if we
can find it. We have counting bears for my middle son to play with (he
adores them) and board games they like, playing cards for games of War (very
popular here) and go fish and more advanced games. I have several books on
nature projects in case anyone gets interested in doing an experiment. Some
days they will suggest it and some days I will ask if anyone is interested
in taking a walk and then doing something with what they find. Usually it is
a yes to the walk idea. I also have a lot of cookbooks and if I start
cooking someone might come in the kitchen and cook too. I have books on
craft ideas but favorite crafts are pretty adult projects around here. I
spin and weave and both older boys have asked to learn this winter when I
pull the yarn out again. My oldest son really wants to learn karate and I am
looking for a good local class. The class I recently found is so regimented
that all the fun seems to have leeched out of it.
I have art supplies and old Paper Towel Rolls as well as the dog to play
with and brushes ready to go for them. So far I just try to keep stuff out
that might interest someone at some time.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/9/2003 1:38:26 AM Eastern Standard Time,
pamsoroosh@... writes:
instance, in Wheeling) and it will get you into a bunch of other zoos in the region.
Same with the science museum passes. Going to get one soon.
Nancy B. in WV
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
pamsoroosh@... writes:
> I'd buy memberships to some cool place around where you live - aI found out in our area that you can buy a family pass to one zoo (for
> science museum or children's museum or zoo or aquarium ---
>
> -pam
>
instance, in Wheeling) and it will get you into a bunch of other zoos in the region.
Same with the science museum passes. Going to get one soon.
Nancy B. in WV
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/9/2003 9:00:37 AM Eastern Standard Time,
naliedel@... writes:
really rushing it to push it through, but it looks like it may be a few more
months.
We work for a private agency, and the worker there said that since they
aren't adopted yet, we may be able to get around it because the law reads that all
foster children are entitled to a public education. I think that could be
interpreted in a few ways. So she is going to get with the state worker and see
what they can do, and said she is pretty sure we can keep them home. So we're
planning like they will be here. If not, we'll just pull them as soon as the
adoption is over.
Since all mine will be home now, I think we may continue fostering when ours
get older, but I think I'll stipulate we'll only take kids not in school yet,
or we'll only take them if they'll let us homeschool them. I don't want all
the hassle of dealing with the schools. It was awful last year.
Nancy B. in WV
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
naliedel@... writes:
> YOU GOT PERMISSION TO HOME EDUCATE YOUR FOSTER CHILDREN??? WOW I AM SOIt is because we are in the middle of adopting them. The caseworker was
> IMPRESSED. Our caseworker said no when we had foster kids so we don't foster
> anymore. We will adopt older in a couple of years.
>
really rushing it to push it through, but it looks like it may be a few more
months.
We work for a private agency, and the worker there said that since they
aren't adopted yet, we may be able to get around it because the law reads that all
foster children are entitled to a public education. I think that could be
interpreted in a few ways. So she is going to get with the state worker and see
what they can do, and said she is pretty sure we can keep them home. So we're
planning like they will be here. If not, we'll just pull them as soon as the
adoption is over.
Since all mine will be home now, I think we may continue fostering when ours
get older, but I think I'll stipulate we'll only take kids not in school yet,
or we'll only take them if they'll let us homeschool them. I don't want all
the hassle of dealing with the schools. It was awful last year.
Nancy B. in WV
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]