[email protected]

Help!! I got in a pissing contest with a lady (probably put my foot in my
mouth) about homeschooling.

Somewhere (of course I can't remember where now) I read statistics that said
the literacy rate was higher before public schools were mandatory in the
United States, when everyone had to learn by themselves or by teaching each other.
Maybe it was test scores??? I can't remember, and can't find the article
anywhere. Does this sound familiar to anyone? PLEASE email it to me if you can
find it.

It's on an adoption board, where she's giving me the "We don't slam
homeschooling, so just accept that public school is the right choice for me and my
family and leave it at that." These kids are having a terrible time in public
school, and my intent originally was to just present alternatives. Then I got
the whole "socialization" speech, and the whole "It's just not for me, I'd go
crazy with my kids home all day" speech. I don't want to be in this
debate...but I don't just want to drop it...it would seem too much like I agree that
public school is OK. :o/

Nancy B. in WV


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

Liz in AZ

John Taylor Gatto, from The Underground History of American Education:

"Full literacy wasn't unusual in the colonies or early republic; many
schools wouldn't admit students who didn't know reading and counting
because few schoolmasters were willing to waste time teaching what was
so easy to learn. It was deemed a mark of depraved character if
literacy hadn't been attained by the matriculating student. Even the
many charity schools operated by churches, towns, and philanthropic
associations for the poor would have been flabbergasted at the great
hue and cry raised today about difficulties teaching literacy.
American experience proved the contrary.

"In New England and the Middle Atlantic Colonies, where reading was
especially valued, literacy was universal. The printed word was also
valued in the South, where literacy was common, if not universal. In
fact, it was general literacy among all classes that spurred the
explosive growth of colleges in nineteenth-century America, where even
ordinary folks hungered for advanced forms of learning."

There's more. You can read the chapter here:
http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/chapters/1s.htm

--- In [email protected], CelticFrau@a... wrote:
> Somewhere (of course I can't remember where now) I read statistics
that said
> the literacy rate was higher before public schools were mandatory in
the
> United States, when everyone had to learn by themselves or by
teaching each other.
> Maybe it was test scores??? I can't remember, and can't find the
article
> anywhere. Does this sound familiar to anyone? PLEASE email it to
me if you can
> find it.

Wendy Usher-Peigan

Help!! I got in a pissing contest with a lady (probably put my foot in my
mouth) about homeschooling.

Nancy B. in WV


LOL! Been there, done that. Sorry, I don't have the info you seek, but just wanted to say 'good for you' for sticking to your guns. I do it all the time and although the results aren't always pleasant, I know I'd feel worse if I just said "okay, let's leave it at that". Hope you find your info!
Wendy

"The sheeplike tendency of human society soon makes inroads on a child's unsophistications, and then popular education completes the dastardly work with its systematic formulas, and away goes the individual, hurtling through space into that hateful oblivion of mediocrity. We are pruned into stumps, one resembling another, without character or grace." --- NC Wyeth, father of Andrew Wyeth, Artist/Painter, who was home educated.

Wendy Usher
PartyLite Consultant
wendy.au@...
and Avon sales Leader
wendy.usher@...
Visit me at www.interavon.ca/wendy.usher


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

Carolyn Ashley-Wheeler

Boy, am I going to get shot to pieces but here goes...
Have you ever stopped to think that, for some people, for a myriad of
reasons, it is actually better that they go to school than stay at home? For
some adults, having children at home all day and everyday, takes more
patience and love and understanding than they have to give. I know of two
mothers who, whilst they love their kids and would defend them to the hilt,
would be in the looney bin by the end of the week and their kids in care if
they weren't in school. And what about the people who have to go out to
work? Public schools aren't all great, some have some very good bits, some
have some very bad bits: a lot just muddle along okay - a bit like the rest
of us.
Slipping quickly into her flak jacket, she signs off and ducks, Carolyn



----- Original Message -----
From: <CelticFrau@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2003 4:24 AM
Subject: [UnschoolingDiscussion] literacy rate??


> Help!! I got in a pissing contest with a lady (probably put my foot in my
> mouth) about homeschooling.
>
> Somewhere (of course I can't remember where now) I read statistics that
said
> the literacy rate was higher before public schools were mandatory in the
> United States, when everyone had to learn by themselves or by teaching
each other.
> Maybe it was test scores??? I can't remember, and can't find the article
> anywhere. Does this sound familiar to anyone? PLEASE email it to me if
you can
> find it.
>
> It's on an adoption board, where she's giving me the "We don't slam
> homeschooling, so just accept that public school is the right choice for
me and my
> family and leave it at that." These kids are having a terrible time in
public
> school, and my intent originally was to just present alternatives. Then I
got
> the whole "socialization" speech, and the whole "It's just not for me, I'd
go
> crazy with my kids home all day" speech. I don't want to be in this
> debate...but I don't just want to drop it...it would seem too much like I
agree that
> public school is OK. :o/
>
> Nancy B. in WV
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> "List Posting Policies" are provided in the files area of this group.
>
> To unsubscribe from this send an email to:
> [email protected]
>
> Visit the Unschooling website and message boards:
http://www.unschooling.com
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>

Marjorie Kirk

I can't quote the exact page, or even what chapter it's in, but there was a
discussion of the literacy rates being higher before compulsory education
than now in John Taylor Gatto's book _The Underground History of Education_.

Good Luck,
Marjorie (In Ohio, where the law only covers compulsory Attendance, not
compulsory Education. The kids have to be there, but they don't
neccessarily have to be educated!)

> Somewhere (of course I can't remember where now) I read statistics that
said
> the literacy rate was higher before public schools were mandatory in the
> United States, when everyone had to learn by themselves or by teaching
each other.
> Maybe it was test scores??? I can't remember, and can't find the article
> anywhere. Does this sound familiar to anyone? PLEASE email it to me if
you can
> find it.
>

Holly Furgason

It was Ted Kennedy's office who came up the initial figure of 98%
literacy rate based on the number of copies of Common Sense that had
sold among other indicators. I can't find the citation but here's an
article that using the info:

http://www.whyy.org/91FM/marker_commonsense.html

Holly

--- In [email protected], "Marjorie Kirk"
<mkirk@c...> wrote:
> I can't quote the exact page, or even what chapter it's in, but
there was a
> discussion of the literacy rates being higher before compulsory
education
> than now in John Taylor Gatto's book _The Underground History of
Education_.
>
> Good Luck,
> Marjorie (In Ohio, where the law only covers compulsory Attendance,
not
> compulsory Education. The kids have to be there, but they don't
> neccessarily have to be educated!)
>
> > Somewhere (of course I can't remember where now) I read
statistics that
> said
> > the literacy rate was higher before public schools were mandatory
in the
> > United States, when everyone had to learn by themselves or by
teaching
> each other.
> > Maybe it was test scores??? I can't remember, and can't find the
article
> > anywhere. Does this sound familiar to anyone? PLEASE email it
to me if
> you can
> > find it.
> >

joanna514

--- In [email protected], "Carolyn Ashley-
Wheeler" <carolyn.ashley-wheeler@n...> wrote:
> Slipping quickly into her flak jacket, she signs off and ducks,
Carolyn
>
>
>
I agree with you!
I know lots of moms who really couldn't handle being home with their
kids. It's not for everyone.
Just like Christianity isn't for everyone. Or, eating vegetarian.
Or, having pets ;-), or being Republican......
I never try to push homeschooling or unschooling. I relate how happy
we are with it. I like to let people know there is an alternative.
But, I don't disparage their choices.
Joanna

Wendy Usher-Peigan

>>for some people, for a myriad of
reasons, it is actually better that they go to school than stay at home? For
some adults, having children at home all day and everyday, takes more
patience and love and understanding than they have to give.
So, are you saying it's better for the kids or the parents?
I am one of those parents who is much more at peace, I guess you could say, when I am on my own. I doubt many parents could *honestly* say they find having a kazillion kids around all day to be restful or relaxing. It's our job and our responsibility to find within ourselves the patience and understanding to be with our kids all day. Isn't it funny, when they're babies, we can't stand the thought of leaving them, and then they get older and we can't wait to ship 'em off to school!
LOL! **Not trying to get into a fight, by the way!**
Wendy (who has 4 kids, 2 of whom attended public school for 8 years...we're STILL adjusting to homeschooling!)

"The sheeplike tendency of human society soon makes inroads on a child's unsophistications, and then popular education completes the dastardly work with its systematic formulas, and away goes the individual, hurtling through space into that hateful oblivion of mediocrity. We are pruned into stumps, one resembling another, without character or grace." --- NC Wyeth, father of Andrew Wyeth, Artist/Painter, who was home educated.

Wendy Usher
PartyLite Consultant
wendy.au@...
and Avon sales Leader
wendy.usher@...
Visit me at www.interavon.ca/wendy.usher
----- Original Message -----
From: Carolyn Ashley-Wheeler
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2003 3:05 AM
Subject: Re: [UnschoolingDiscussion] literacy rate??


Boy, am I going to get shot to pieces but here goes...
Have you ever stopped to think that, for some people, for a myriad of
reasons, it is actually better that they go to school than stay at home? For
some adults, having children at home all day and everyday, takes more
patience and love and understanding than they have to give. I know of two
mothers who, whilst they love their kids and would defend them to the hilt,
would be in the looney bin by the end of the week and their kids in care if
they weren't in school. And what about the people who have to go out to
work? Public schools aren't all great, some have some very good bits, some
have some very bad bits: a lot just muddle along okay - a bit like the rest
of us.
Slipping quickly into her flak jacket, she signs off and ducks, Carolyn



----- Original Message -----
From: <CelticFrau@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2003 4:24 AM
Subject: [UnschoolingDiscussion] literacy rate??


> Help!! I got in a pissing contest with a lady (probably put my foot in my
> mouth) about homeschooling.
>
> Somewhere (of course I can't remember where now) I read statistics that
said
> the literacy rate was higher before public schools were mandatory in the
> United States, when everyone had to learn by themselves or by teaching
each other.
> Maybe it was test scores??? I can't remember, and can't find the article
> anywhere. Does this sound familiar to anyone? PLEASE email it to me if
you can
> find it.
>
> It's on an adoption board, where she's giving me the "We don't slam
> homeschooling, so just accept that public school is the right choice for
me and my
> family and leave it at that." These kids are having a terrible time in
public
> school, and my intent originally was to just present alternatives. Then I
got
> the whole "socialization" speech, and the whole "It's just not for me, I'd
go
> crazy with my kids home all day" speech. I don't want to be in this
> debate...but I don't just want to drop it...it would seem too much like I
agree that
> public school is OK. :o/
>
> Nancy B. in WV
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> "List Posting Policies" are provided in the files area of this group.
>
> To unsubscribe from this send an email to:
> [email protected]
>
> Visit the Unschooling website and message boards:
http://www.unschooling.com
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>



Yahoo! Groups Sponsor




"List Posting Policies" are provided in the files area of this group.

To unsubscribe from this send an email to:
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 9/10/2003 11:40:33 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
Wilkinson6@... writes:
I never try to push homeschooling or unschooling. I relate how happy
we are with it. I like to let people know there is an alternative.
But, I don't disparage their choices.
Joanna
See? You're so sweet! <g>

I'm the bitch. But then how many times can one drive by the billboard that
says, "Drop outs? I love dropouts! They make great employees for my sweatshop!"

That's why (although I DID hesitate {at Sandra's request}) I printed the
bumper sticker that says, "If you DON'T WANT to read this, thank a teacher!"
Later on after the conference weekend, Sandra DID let it slip that it was growing
on her! <BWG>

I can take it just "so" long, then I crack. And then I'm VERY vocal! I'll
just let you sweet ones temper me! <G>

~Kelly


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

[email protected]

In a message dated 9-10-2003 8:43:55 AM Mountain Daylight Time,
carolyn.ashley-wheeler@... writes:
Have you ever stopped to think that, for some people, for a myriad of
reasons, it is actually better that they go to school than stay at home?
********
I've actually thought that a few women in our hs group should just send their
kids to school, to avoid being *the bad guy* all the time. If it hurts this
much to have them home, then send them away. ME, I'd rather figure out a way
for them to stay home and for me to stay... well, not go any further INsane
<beg>
That quote, "Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right!"
applies here.

diana,
The wackiest widow westriver...
"You can follow your book and your map of wars, but I'll go and follow my
kids." -- Woody Guthrie


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

[email protected]

In a message dated 9/10/03 8:44:12 AM, carolyn.ashley-wheeler@...
writes:

<< Have you ever stopped to think that, for some people, for a myriad of

reasons, it is actually better that they go to school than stay at home? >>

Sure, but they're not on this list, right?

<<For some adults, having children at home all day and everyday, takes more

patience and love and understanding than they have to give. >>

Unschooling isn't going to work for everyone, but who will it help if that's
our starting point?

There are people who DO have patience and understanding (of a sort) who DO
want to unschool who can't get it to work well for some reason(s), and so we
have lists like this to try to help them get it.

<<I know of two

mothers who, whilst they love their kids and would defend them to the hilt,

would be in the looney bin by the end of the week and their kids in care if

they weren't in school. >>

I know MY mom was way more interested in using school for a babysitter so she
could have some kid-free time to smoke and drink and mess around in the yard
and visit her friends. There is a full range of reasons why some moms would
"be in the looney bin" if their kids were home, and much of that range is
selfishness and acceptance of the cultural messages that school is GREAT for moms
who would have no peace or sanity if it weren't for the big yellow bus coming
to save them.

What about the pain of the kids IN the bus, the schoolyard, the schoolroom,
the cafeteria, the P.E. field, etc.?

I know there are kids for whom school is safer and better than home, but
that's nothing to brag up and encourage!

<<And what about the people who have to go out to work?>>

If I had to go to work and couldn't afford a better plan, I might use school
as a babysitter, but I would NOT invest my heart's hopes and plans in school
teaching my kids morals and compassion, or keeping them safe and happy. I
would see it as a state-run babysitting service replete with abuse and shaming for
anyone who's not immune.

<<Public schools aren't all great, some have some very good bits, some

have some very bad bits: a lot just muddle along okay - a bit like the rest

of us.>>

Some of the rest of us dedicate our energy and thought and lives to doing the
very best we can do, treating our children like real people, not inferior
grubs who are preparing for the real world. Not too many schools would even
consider THINKING of putting kids first.

Sandra

[email protected]

In a message dated 9/10/03 10:03:45 AM, kbcdlovejo@... writes:

<< That's why (although I DID hesitate {at Sandra's request}) I printed the
bumper sticker that says, "If you DON'T WANT to read this, thank a teacher!"
Later on after the conference weekend, Sandra DID let it slip that it was
growing
on her! <BWG> >>

Two things:

I think my obnoxious suggestion was "...blame a teacher."

The gaming store where Kirby works has the original "real" bumpersticker IN
THE WINDOW, with the other really horrible-but-funny
gamer/SCA/StarTrek/pagan/geek humorous bumper stickers, FIVE RACKS of them, but there it is, the stupid
"If you can read this, thank a teacher."

YUCK!

I asked Kirby whether it didn't bother him, since he learned to read without
a teacher. Two other bumper stickers have been withdrawn because employees
(one Kirby, one a female occasional employee) objected to the message. Kirby's
objected to one about bombing Paris instead of Baghdad. He wouldn't even set
it out, and an employee meeting discussed and upheld his decision. The other,
I don't remember. I'm sorry to see they have the "thank a teacher" thing,
but Kirby said he didn't care that much one way or the other, and I don't work
there, so fine.

Holly put one (the new one Kelly printed) on the door to her room, so I see
it every day now. SCARY!


Sandra

[email protected]

In a message dated 9/10/2003 12:33:12 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
SandraDodd@... writes:
Two things:

I think my obnoxious suggestion was "...blame a teacher."~~~~~~~~~~~~


DAMN!!!!!

I like THAT MUCH better! I wish you had corrected me earlier!

Bummer.

~Kelly


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

Holly Furgason

--- In [email protected], kbcdlovejo@a... wrote:

> That's why (although I DID hesitate {at Sandra's request}) I
printed the
> bumper sticker that says, "If you DON'T WANT to read this, thank a
teacher!"

We went by the Harris County Dept. of Ed. (which doesn't have any
schools BTW) and it had one of the big signs that said "If you can
read this, thank a teacher". We all looked at each other and
laughed. Of the six people in the car only one learned to read from
a teacher!

Holly

Tia Leschke

> I think my obnoxious suggestion was "...blame a teacher."~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>
> DAMN!!!!!
>
> I like THAT MUCH better! I wish you had corrected me earlier!

But yours is a little more likely to get someone thinking, where Sandra's is
a little more likely to produce defensiveness.
Tia
leschke@...

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where
there is no path and leave a trail."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

joanna514

I like to let people know there is an alternative.
> But, I don't disparage their choices.
> Joanna



> See? You're so sweet! <g>
> I'm the bitch.

> ~Kelly
>
LOL!
It is so cool to have met you! I can totally hear your voice when
you say that.
It's a very sweet voice by the way. ;-)
Joanna

[email protected]

In a message dated 9/10/03 9:03:46 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
kbcdlovejo@... writes:

> That's why (although I DID hesitate {at Sandra's request}) I printed the
> bumper sticker that says, "If you DON'T WANT to read this, thank a teacher!"
>
>

Good one Kelly!!!

I asked my cousin to print me a shirt that reads:

I am not ADHD, you just aren't interesting enough to pay attention to!

That's not to say ADHD is non-existant, but at the rate todays kids are being
labeled, I have no doubt I would be one if I were in school today!

Rhonda


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

[email protected]

In a message dated 9/10/03 8:24:14 PM, RJHill241@... writes:

<< That's not to say ADHD is non-existant, but at the rate todays kids are
being
labeled, I have no doubt I would be one if I were in school today! >>

No kidding.

When I was a kid it was "hyperactive" (or in the absence of "hyper," just
"doesn't pay attention in class/disturbs others").

The difference between A students who were hyperactive and D/F students who
were hyperactive (and I didn't see many B/C students who had that "problem")
was that the good students got sympathy because the poor things were bored, and
the bad students got punishment and badmouthing, which never helped.

Sandra

[email protected]

In a message dated 9/10/03 10:24:04 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
RJHill241@... writes:

> :
>
> I am not ADHD, you just aren't interesting enough to pay attention to!
>
>

I LOVE that. I want to print one off for my nephew.
Pam G


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