Julie Bogart

Last night I went to the local homeschool group meeting. I have
actually stopped being a member due the narrowness of their
statement of faith. But one of the moms who was speaking that
night asked me to come to hear her, so I went as a visitor.

During one part of the evening, each mother was invited to share
about herself and her homeschool experience. By the end, I was
amazed at how much *this* list has changed how I think about
schooling.

Comments:
"I used to be really chaotic in how I approached school but it
drove my kids crazy. They just wanted to know what to do and
when they could be done, so we use text books now. They like
the structure."

"I need order and structure. I really like knowing what we have to
do and when so I can check it off."

"I've already threatened to send my kids back to school and it's
only the second week!"

There was much discussion about the role of text books. Several
talked about how they (the mothers) tried to be less structured
and more fun but the kids got frustrated and asked for text books.
This got loads of laughter. Apparently it's a common occurrence
for these kids to not enjoy the more random approach to
"school."

All I could think was that these "chaotic days" of homeschool
must still have included stuff the kids *didn't want to do* or "had
to do" and the easiest way to get that done was to do the text
book format so they could know they could move on to other
interests.

The words "what to do" and "to be done" came up over and over
again. I wanted to shout: "Why would anyone just want to "do"
school? What happened to enjoying learning and life together?

Thanks to this list we're living a completely different reality...
which I shared when it was my turn. :)

Julie B

[email protected]

In a message dated 9/12/03 7:13:47 AM, julie@... writes:

<< Thanks to this list we're living a completely different reality...

which I shared when it was my turn. :) >>

How did they respond to that?
I hope they didn't look at you like you were a dangerous nut.

Sandra

Julie Bogart

--- In [email protected],
SandraDodd@a... wrote:
>
> In a message dated 9/12/03 7:13:47 AM, julie@b... writes:
>
> << Thanks to this list we're living a completely different reality...
>
> which I shared when it was my turn. :) >>
>
> How did they respond to that?
> I hope they didn't look at you like you were a dangerous nut.


I don't think so, though perhaps they do behind my back! :) One
benefit: since I teach writing online, they respect me as
someone who has spoken to their groups and at the
conventions. So they can't totally write me off yet, can they?
<beg>

My kids get quizzed regularly by their friends (do you do *any*
school?) and one of my kids is told daily on instant message,
"Do your math" because her friends worry that I'm not *making*
her do it.

I'm hoping to start a monthly coffee chat for those interested in
unschooling. I need some local friends!

Julie B

Susan Fuerst

>>>>>>>
I'm hoping to start a monthly coffee chat for those interested in
unschooling. I need some local friends!

Julie B<<<<<<<<<<

Hi Julie,
You're north of Cincy and I'm south....but if it's a monthly thing,
maybe we can meet up. I know one other Mom who wants to unschool, and
I think would be very interested. She told me about a third who said
she wants to unschool...we're all in Northern KY.

And a few weeks ago, there was some talk about unschooling on the
Sohsinky list about unschooling...a few people exploring it.
It could work!
Susan