Lisa Bugg

Amy,
We all overreact sometimes, at least I do. <G> I would want my children
to know more than the PBS schedule, that's for sure. Although some days
around here I think all the boys know are computer and video game strategies
and pokemon..... but then I sit and listen to the pokemon talk and I realize
there is a whole host of important things going on, things found ont those
boring school worksheets.

One of the things that has helped me in this journey is getting up and
getting out of our house. We went to the dam about two weeks ago. We
talked about currents, fish, the health of the lake, why we needed a dam,
locks, barges -- it was a great day. Unschooling requires the parent to be a
detective sometimes. The neat this that once you hone your skills of
observation, you discover the children really are learning more than the PBS
schedule. PLUS you learn how to put neat stuff in their path, so they do
come across the things you think are important. I've purchased books and
other materials just to have on hand.....just in case someone had an attack
of the academics. <G> Some of it has actually been used. Matter of fact, I
bought an used Oak Meadow First grade package. We've used some of the ideas
on creating special books for each child.

Why don't you tell us what things you would like the kids to be doing, and
let us brainstorm ways of doing them. We'll see if our creative powers are
still here, or whether they've gone to sleep with the spring allergies
everyone is having.

LisaKK
Original Message -----
From: K WORTHEN <kworthen@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2000 6:56 PM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re: Hello


> Hi lisa,
> I'm not sure whah I mean. It's just that dh has his reservations, as do I
,
> about sending our kids into the world knowing nothing but the PBS sched.
> O.K. Perhaps I'm overreacting here, but I still have my concerns. Any
advice
> would be appreciated.
> Amy
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Lisa Bugg" <LisaBugg@...>
> To: <[email protected]>
> Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2000 5:30 PM
> Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re: Hello
>
>
> > Amy,
> >
> > Would you want to talk about what you see as *concrete*? I do not
want
> to
> > seem to pick at these issues, especially if there is stress surrounding
> > what's been happening. Plus, I think it's perfectly fine to say
something
> > like, "mom is having a hard time seeing that you can do _____ would you
> mind
> > proving it to me. ;) I did this a couple of time with my teenager.
Other
> > times I have been able to sit back and really watch for what was
worrying
> > me, and I was able to find the math and writing skills I was looking
for.
> > And of course a couple of time my temper got the better of me and I
> snapped
> > about learning/school issues.
> >
> > On another note we got a new computer program today, Zap by Edmark, and
> > I've not seen my 8 year old for hours and hours. <g>
> >
> > LisaKK----- Original Message -----
> > From: K WORTHEN <kworthen@...>
> > To: <[email protected]>
> > Cc: <kworthen@mediaone>
> > Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2000 4:00 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re: Hello
> >
> >
> > > Hi Wendy,
> > > We're actually doing the opposite of you. We've been
> > > unschooling for the past few months and it stresses me out too much
not
> > > having something concrete everyday. We are going to try Oak Meadow
this
> > > fall. I'm glad to hear you like it. I doubt we'll follow it to a tee,
> but
> > > it's nice to have something to fall back on.
> > > Amy
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: <Wendalina1@...>
> > > To: <[email protected]>
> > > Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2000 8:28 PM
> > > Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re: Hello
> > >
> > >
> > > > Hi,
> > > >
> > > > I'm new to the list and I wanted to introduce myself. My name is
Wendy
> > and
> > > I
> > > > live in Little Rock, Arkansas. We're homeschooling leaning toward
more
> > of
> > > an
> > > > unschooling approach. My son Dylan is six and Tristan is four. The
> past
> > > two
> > > > years, I've purchased Oak Meadow which I really like. However, we
> > haven't
> > > > picked it up for a couple months now so I would say we are on our
way
> to
> > > > unschooling. My son Dylan LOVES numbers and money. He really is
doing
> > well
> > > in
> > > > math. On the other hand, he hates reading. I totally believe in
> > > unschooling
> > > > but honestly, it has been hard for me to not worry. I'm not asking
for
> > any
> > > > advice or anything. It's just nice to know there are others out
there
> > like
> > > > me. I guess I'm still dealing with a husband who doesn't really
"get
> > it".
> > > > Anyway, I'm glad to be here and look forward to participating in
this
> > > group.
> > > >
> > > > Wendy
> > > >
> > >
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[email protected]

In a message dated 04/06/2000 11:56:33 PM !!!First Boot!!!,
kworthen@... writes:

<< Hi lisa,
I'm not sure whah I mean. It's just that dh has his reservations, as do I ,
about sending our kids into the world knowing nothing but the PBS sched.
O.K. Perhaps I'm overreacting here, but I still have my concerns. Any advice
would be appreciated.
Amy >>


That's funny -- PBS schedule.

Anyway, what I did (so take it for what it's worth!) as a sanity check at the
beginning of hsing was to go to the state's standards. They are online here
in Florida. Look under the Dept. of Ed listings. These are a line-by-line
explanation of what the schools are supposed to be teaching the kids in each
grade.

I found these to be reassuring that, even tho we have tended more and more
toward relaxed hsing and unschooling, we are still hitting all the bases.
The standards were not at all stringent in my estimation -- more of a
minimum. But they were a sanity check for me.

And there is a series out called What your X Grader Should Know. Some people
say they have been very happy using this as a guide.

I think you can use all of these tools, and more, and still happily hs, with
or without a formal curriculum or part of one. But I think it takes time to
figure out what is best for you and yours. And then that changes at just
about the time you get it all figured out! :):)

Good luck.

Nance