ethomp

Hi Renee!

Welcome to the list, and to homeschooling. My name is Liz, and I just
started this myself as well. I haven't even started teaching my kids yet,
that will take place next beginning in the fall. However, I can fully
relate to you. When a person decides to take that step to homeschool, they
ARE stepping into uncharted territory (at least for themselves). I also
thought the same thing, that there was no "welcoming" committee....it would
have helped to have someone take me by the hand and "show" me what to do.
But, of course, there's no such thing. However, I have found this email
list to be very beneficial, and things seem to be falling into place. I get
bits and pieces of information to put together, but basically it's a "figure
it out for yourself" thing, because only you know what is best for your
individual child.

I have 4 children ages 4,5,10 and 12 that I will begin homeschooling next
year. I have just decided that I've had enough of school violence. Also my
oldest son is ahead of his grade. In the second grade, he could do algebra
in his head. He is now in the sixth grade, and after 4 years of talking to
teachers (and others), I can't get anyone to advance and challenge him. My
5 year old is NOT ready for socialization with other kids. She thinks
EVERYTHING should be her way. So these are my reasons for deciding to
homeschool, and I'm sure it's the right choice for myself.

Try not to let it over-whelm you. I've been doing the same thing myself,
and I find it difficult to concentrate and put things together myself when I
stress out....I lose all focus, and make things worse. And it's not that
bad at all. If you need someone to talk to, feel free to contact me. I
wish you all the best!

Liz
----- Original Message -----
From: Renee Lester <rlester@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2000 9:38 PM
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] New Member


> Hi everyone. I just subbed to this list yesterday. I am very
> new to homeschooling, and don't really feel like I have a "niche".
> I probably have come to this in a different way from a lot of
> people. We have a son, almost 7, with a unique combination of
> challenges and gifts. We have tried to find the right placement for
> him in school. There isn't one. He learns best on his own, in his own
> time and way--which often involves climbing all over the place while
> he is learning. Whenever he is under stress he acts out behaviorally,
> and at school he does that a lot.
>
> We were having so many problems that we met with the school and had
> him officially switched to half days. Things seemed to be better for
> a while, and then he couldn't make the transition back to school
> after spring break. So actually we are not even officially homeschooling
> yet, we are on "home instruction".
>
> My head is spinning! I went from thinking about maybe homeschooling him
> next year, to having him home full time *now* without having time to
> get my bearings, develop a support network, etc. I have found out
> where the groups are and have attended a couple of meetings. The
> thing is, when my son was starting school, it was somebody's *job*
> to help me out, show me the ropes, etc. Homeschooling by nature is
> a lot of people doing their own thing for their own reasons, and they
> get together and form friendships, plan activities, etc. But there
> doesn't seem to be a "welcoming committee" I am not saying that people
> haven't been nice, it is just a rough transition into uncharted
territories,
> and I am really feeling "on my own".
>
> So anyway, there are lots of issues. I was not *planning* to do this,
> but it became apparent to me that it was the only choice. I need to
> find a way to do this and still get my own needs for solitude and self-
> determination met. And I need a peer group. Or something. I also
> feel like an "outsider" among homeschoolers because I *do* hope that
> my other child can go to school, as I hoped that my son would. It's
> just that I knew when it was time to take him out for the benefit
> of everyone involved.
>
> Rambling, I guess, but also hoping that someone can relate...
>
> Renee
>
>
>
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In a message dated 05/18/2000 2:56:55 AM !!!First Boot!!!, rlester@...
writes:

<< And I need a peer group. Or something. I also
feel like an "outsider" among homeschoolers because I *do* hope that
my other child can go to school, as I hoped that my son would. It's
just that I knew when it was time to take him out for the benefit
of everyone involved.

Rambling, I guess, but also hoping that someone can relate...

Renee
>>


Well, maybe we'll be your peer group. Or whatever.

BTW, a lot of hsers have children in ps. And in and out of ps and private
school and all sorts of other arrangements over the years, so maybe your not
so strange after all!

I keep checking on the ps near us that was supposed to have a program I
thought would suit my son. It was supposed to start in 3rd grade but now I
find out it starts in 4th. And he is in 1st grade officially so . . . by
that time we may be so spoiled as to have completely given up on any thought
of ps but who knows . . . the beauty of hsing!

Anyway, welcome!! My son is also 7 yo (his birthday is today!) and my
daughter is 5 1/2 yo. They are both very bright and basically that is the
reason we hs. The curric at the ps was pathetic and the accommodations
available were completely inadequate.

We do a mixed bag of lots of library visits, gardening, beaching, outside
lessons (piano and dance and Tae Kwon Do), science stuff, reading, reading,
reading, and then some more playing. I guess we are unschooling but some
days do seem pretty structured -- some not at all.

I'm sure as you browse aound the web and the library you will gets lots of
info (probably too much!) on the different approaches to hsing. But, I
think, you basically have to figure it out for yourself -- find out what
suits you and yours. You are right -- there is no welcoming committee and
set of instructions! :) But that's really a good thing once you get used to
it.

Ask lots of questions! We are pretty new to all of this but someone on this
or another list will be able to help you.

Good luck with everything!

Nance

awpottle

> Homeschooling by nature is
> a lot of people doing their own thing for their own reasons, and they
> get together and form friendships, plan activities, etc. But there
> doesn't seem to be a "welcoming committee" I am not saying that people
> haven't been nice, it is just a rough transition into uncharted territories,
> and I am really feeling "on my own".

Hi Renee and everyone,

I am new to this list as well. I have been homeschooling now about 2 1/2 years
and like you I felt the same way starting out. The local support group in my
area wasn't very welcoming in that...making friends or arranging play dates or
one on one with another homeschooling family didn't happen for me and many other
new homeschoolers. I found the greatest amount of support and information
online. I joined email lists, lurked and learned, and if I felt comfortable I
joined in. You may have to do this also. It takes a while to find
yourself...knowing what style suits you for your own home learning situation.

Don't feel bad about wanting your other child to continue in school. Many
parents do both for various reasons. It may end up that your other child may
want to home educate and or you will want to have them home, but only time will
tell.

What is wonderful is the fact you recognize your son's unique ways and that you
are willing to help facilitate him on his own learning adventure. Good luck to
you both!

Wendy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Many things in life can wait...
the child cannot.
Gabriel Mistral, Chilean Poet
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wendy, Andrew, Ben, Sam & Jack
Visit our Homeschooling in NB website...
http://www.homeschoolingnb.com
Visit our favourite used book
site...http://welovebooks.com/mapleleaf/Default.htm


>

Renee Lester

Thank you to everyone who has warmly welcomed me and reassured me that I
am not the only one with one kid in school and one kid out. I am
sure I will have a lot of questions as time goes on. I am not
worried about the academic stuff, because I have been teaching my
son (finding him resources, really) since he was very small.
The social part concerns me, for myself, as well as my son.
I am not very good at finding opportunities for him--my daughter
is different because *she* is so social and makes friends on her
own.

The other part of this story is that my son might have Asperger's
Syndrome, which is a milder form of autism. If he has it, it is
a mild form of Asperger's--there has been some disagreement about
the diagnosis. It is clear that he does a lot better out of school--
then he looks gifted rather than disabled. But he does have
some very real issues in or out of school. Even though he has
been reading since he was 3, at almost 7 he still has a very hard
time reading anything with a lot of words. He was getting
occupational therapy at school to help deal with the tracking
difficulty he has.

I hate to lose those services, and would like to find a way
to homeschool and still get special ed services. Supposedly,
the only way to do this is to be on "home instruction" rather
than actual homeschooling, and he would get a tutor a few hours
a week. But of course my fear is that I would be back in
the position of trying to get my son to do homework that someone
else assigned. I don't know--maybe we can get him enough help
through the county board of developmental disabilities that we
do not need to have the school involved.

Renee

Marcy Ellis

Renee,

I don't know if you'd be interested; but I know a woman here who has an
autistic son. She has become a home-schooler for reasons similar to yours.
The local schools basically cannot handle the uniqueness of individuals like
her son. What I was thinking was that I could get her address for you and
you two could write or call one another and offer support. She's a terrific
lady. I've enjoyed talking with her. I imagine you might also, especially
since your situations are so similar. If you're interested, let me know. I
don't think she's online; but maybe we could work something out in that way.
Let me know what ya think. Take care!

~Marcy~


>From: Renee Lester <rlester@...>
>Reply-To: [email protected]
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] New Member
>Date: Thu, 18 May 2000 23:40:26 -0400 (EDT)
>
>Thank you to everyone who has warmly welcomed me and reassured me that I
>am not the only one with one kid in school and one kid out. I am
>sure I will have a lot of questions as time goes on. I am not
>worried about the academic stuff, because I have been teaching my
>son (finding him resources, really) since he was very small.
>The social part concerns me, for myself, as well as my son.
>I am not very good at finding opportunities for him--my daughter
>is different because *she* is so social and makes friends on her
>own.
>
>The other part of this story is that my son might have Asperger's
>Syndrome, which is a milder form of autism. If he has it, it is
>a mild form of Asperger's--there has been some disagreement about
>the diagnosis. It is clear that he does a lot better out of school--
>then he looks gifted rather than disabled. But he does have
>some very real issues in or out of school. Even though he has
>been reading since he was 3, at almost 7 he still has a very hard
>time reading anything with a lot of words. He was getting
>occupational therapy at school to help deal with the tracking
>difficulty he has.
>
>I hate to lose those services, and would like to find a way
>to homeschool and still get special ed services. Supposedly,
>the only way to do this is to be on "home instruction" rather
>than actual homeschooling, and he would get a tutor a few hours
>a week. But of course my fear is that I would be back in
>the position of trying to get my son to do homework that someone
>else assigned. I don't know--maybe we can get him enough help
>through the county board of developmental disabilities that we
>do not need to have the school involved.
>
>Renee
>
>
>
>

________________________________________________________________________
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Anita Bower

>Even though he has
>been reading since he was 3, at almost 7 he still has a very hard
>time reading anything with a lot of words.

I suppose you would want to make sure the difficulty is not because of
Asperger's
Syndrome.
My son did not like to read anything with many words at age 7 or 8. He
wanted few words per page and large print.

>
He was getting
>occupational therapy at school to help deal with the tracking
>difficulty he has.
>I hate to lose those services, and would like to find a way
>to homeschool and still get special ed services. Supposedly,
>the only way to do this is to be on "home instruction" rather
>than actual homeschooling,

My son gets speech therapy from the school, and he is signed up as a
homeschooler. This may vary with school districts.

Anita

>
Homeschooling Mom
Nottingham, PA

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure."
Nelson Mandela Inaugural Speech, 1994

Renee Lester

I am on a quest. My son *loves* to learn anything that is set
to music. I downloaded the Multiplication Rock songs and he
listens to them and sings them around the house. I found a
website that has science songs and put some in a folder for him.
He discovered them a few days later and came downstairs telling
me about kinetic and potential energy.

I have been trying to find more things like this, but keep coming
up empty. I am not trying to bombard my son with this, by the
way. It's sort of like with food. It's there for him, and when
he is hungry he will "forage" for it. I am just trying
to gather these resources so I have them or know where to find
them. Any suggestions?

Renee

Debra Caruso

Hello Tanyia :)Deb in Va here.Mom to 4 sons,20,19,18 and 12.Life partner
and wife to Paulie.

Tanyia Deskins wrote:
>
> Hi evryone :)
>
> I wanted to introduce my self, I am a new member not only to this
> group, but unschooling as well. I am starting this summer, with a 7
> year old, and I also have a 2 year old whom I am sure will be hanging
> around. I am very excited about this as is my daughter. We look
> forward to any suggestions we may get from this group, or great
> ideas, like the rain painting. So hello :)
> Tanyia
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Free, Unlimited Calls Anywhere!
> Conference in the whole family on the same call.
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> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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> Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
>
> To Unsubscribe: mailto:[email protected]

[email protected]

Hello Tayna:

Dawn F in Tucson, Arizona with Zak 5 in August and Max 9 months
today...Welcome.

Dawn F

[email protected]

In a message dated 06/28/2000 4:05:01 PM !!!First Boot!!!, tdeskins@...
writes:

<< wanted to introduce my self, I am a new member not only to this
group, but unschooling as well. I am starting this summer, with a 7
year old, and I also have a 2 year old whom I am sure will be >>


Hello Tanyia -- We are unschooling in Florida with a 5 1/2 yo girl and a 7 yo
boy. Look forward to getting to know you.

Nance

Amy

welcome tanyia.
amy (unschooling mom to 3 girls-sam 7, dana 4, casey 2)
----- Original Message -----
From: Tanyia Deskins <tdeskins@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2000 9:03 AM
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] New Member


> Hi evryone :)
>
> I wanted to introduce my self, I am a new member not only to this
> group, but unschooling as well. I am starting this summer, with a 7
> year old, and I also have a 2 year old whom I am sure will be hanging
> around. I am very excited about this as is my daughter. We look
> forward to any suggestions we may get from this group, or great
> ideas, like the rain painting. So hello :)
> Tanyia
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Free, Unlimited Calls Anywhere!
> Conference in the whole family on the same call.
> Let the fights begin! Visit Firetalk.com - Click below.
> http://click.egroups.com/1/5476/14/_/448294/_/962208204/
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
> Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
>
> To Unsubscribe: mailto:[email protected]
>
>

Sonia Ulan

Hi Tanyia,

You have every reason to be excited for what lies
ahead...Congratulations on your decision to unschool!

Sonia in Saskatoon, SK


Tanyia Deskins wrote:
>
> Hi evryone :)
>
> I wanted to introduce my self, I am a new member not only to this
> group, but unschooling as well. I am starting this summer, with a 7
> year old, and I also have a 2 year old whom I am sure will be hanging
> around. I am very excited about this as is my daughter. We look
> forward to any suggestions we may get from this group, or great
> ideas, like the rain painting. So hello :)
> Tanyia
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Free, Unlimited Calls Anywhere!
> Conference in the whole family on the same call.
> Let the fights begin! Visit Firetalk.com - Click below.
> http://click.egroups.com/1/5476/14/_/448294/_/962208204/
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
> Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
>
> To Unsubscribe: mailto:[email protected]

aworthen

Welcome Kandice,
I am Amy, unschooling mom to 3 girls, ages 7, 4, and 2 in MA. We too, live a
very natural lifestyle. Vegitarian, unitarian, and as my dh says
homeschoolitarian. We believe in the family bed and extended breastfeeding
(still nursing my 2 1/2 yo). Welcome to the list and the wonderful world of
unschooling.
Amy
Mom to Samantha, Dana, and Casey
----- Original Message -----
From: Kandice Crockett <naturalmom@...>
Sent: Monday, August 14, 2000 7:29 PM
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] New Member


> Hello everybody. I am new to this list and want to introduce myself. My
> name is Kandice and I have a total of 7 children between mine, his, and
> ours. They range in ages from 24 down to my 9 month old baby.
> My four year old is very slow to grasp what seem like basic ideas so she
is
> going to be quite a challenge for me. I believe she is somewhat autistic
> possibly. My 13 and 11 year olds are much quicker. In fact, the 11 year
> old is gifted.
> We started home-schooling last year and it has been a hard adjustment
after
> years of public school. I started out by having them do school type work
> two - four hours a day and then freedom the rest of the day. Through the
> summer, we have only been doing two hours of subject work. I just wanted
> them to have the basic knowledge for the yearly testing and for their own
> personal knowledge.
> Now, I am strongly leaning towards the unschooling approach and am like a
> fish out of water here. I didn't even know home-school was an option
until
> last year and felt like I was going so far against mainstream already.
But
> I want to go even further!
> Mainstream has just not been my thing. I had the baby at home with a
> midwife and choose not to vaccinate the kids after much research into it.
I
> am breastfeeding the 9 month old with no plans to stop any time soon. And
> we prefer a naturopath to a pediatritian any time!
> I would very much enjoy being a midwife in the future when the young ones
> are older and don't need me here so much. Until then, I am not willing to
> be on call to attend births and be away from the baby for who knows how
> long.
> I have a fantastic husband who backs me up in all of this natural living,
> thankfully. :)
>
> Looking forward to meeting you all.
>
> Blessings to you,
>
> Kandice
> If I could show you how to make $300-$800+ mo. part-time at home with no
selling, inventory,or huge
> start-up cost, would you like to hear about it? NOT Amway! ;)
kandyc@...
>
> -----------------------------------------------
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> Reserve your name now at http://www.email.com
>
>
>
>
>
> Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
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>
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> Post message: [email protected]
> Unsubscribe: [email protected]
> List owner: [email protected]
> List settings page: http://www.egroups.com/group/Unschooling-dotcom
>
>

Cathie _

Hi Kandice. Welcome to the list. You have definately come to the right
place to learn about unschooling. This is a great list, lots of good people
who are out of that mainstream-I guess I much prefer floating along and
taking the time to watch the frogs and turtles than rowing like crazy to
keep up with all the other boats!

I have 5 kids-ages 3 to 15, and we have been out of public school for 2
years. It didn't take me long to figure out that we are unschoolers at
heart. This lifestyle has worked out wonderfully for us, we wouldn't have it
any other way.

Glad to meet you.

Cathie


>From: Kandice Crockett <naturalmom@...>
>
>Hello everybody. I am new to this list and want to introduce myself. My
>name is Kandice and I have a total of 7 children between mine, his, and
>ours. They range in ages from 24 down to my 9 month old baby.
>My four year old is very slow to grasp what seem like basic ideas so she is
>going to be quite a challenge for me. I believe she is somewhat autistic
>possibly. My 13 and 11 year olds are much quicker. In fact, the 11 year
>old is gifted.
>We started home-schooling last year and it has been a hard adjustment after
>years of public school. I started out by having them do school type work
>two - four hours a day and then freedom the rest of the day. Through the
>summer, we have only been doing two hours of subject work. I just wanted
>them to have the basic knowledge for the yearly testing and for their own
>personal knowledge.
>Now, I am strongly leaning towards the unschooling approach and am like a
>fish out of water here. I didn't even know home-school was an option until
>last year and felt like I was going so far against mainstream already. But
>I want to go even further!
>Mainstream has just not been my thing. I had the baby at home with a
>midwife and choose not to vaccinate the kids after much research into it.
>I
>am breastfeeding the 9 month old with no plans to stop any time soon. And
>we prefer a naturopath to a pediatritian any time!
>I would very much enjoy being a midwife in the future when the young ones
>are older and don't need me here so much. Until then, I am not willing to
>be on call to attend births and be away from the baby for who knows how
>long.
>I have a fantastic husband who backs me up in all of this natural living,
>thankfully. :)
>
>Looking forward to meeting you all.
>
>Blessings to you,
>
>Kandice
>If I could show you how to make $300-$800+ mo. part-time at home with no
>selling, inventory,or huge
>start-up cost, would you like to hear about it? NOT Amway! ;)
>kandyc@...

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[email protected]

Kandice,
Welcome to the list. We have a great bunch here! You will not be alone in
many of your natural living thoughts here. I, for one, am right there with
you.....

Julie

Karen Paulson

Hi Kandy... It's Karen from the Ap group!  Glad that you have joined this list, and hope you like it here..  I think you will be able to alleviate some of your concerns through the discussions here.  Welcome!!  ~Karen Paulson
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, August 14, 2000 6:29 PM
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] New Member

Hello everybody.  I am new to this list and want to introduce myself.  My
name is Kandice and I have a total of 7 children between mine, his, and
ours.  They range in ages from 24 down to my 9 month old baby.
My four year old is very slow to grasp what seem like basic ideas so she is
going to be quite a challenge for me.  I believe she is somewhat autistic
possibly.  My 13 and 11 year olds are much quicker.  In fact, the 11 year
old is gifted.
We started home-schooling last year and it has been a hard adjustment after
years of public school.  I started out by having them do school type work
two - four hours a day and then freedom the rest of the day.  Through the
summer, we have only been doing two hours of subject work.  I just wanted
them to have the basic knowledge for the yearly testing and for their own
personal knowledge.
Now, I am strongly leaning towards the unschooling approach and am like a
fish out of water here.  I didn't even know home-school was an option until
last year and felt like I was going so far against mainstream already.  But
I want to go even further!
Mainstream has just not been my thing.  I had the baby at home with a
midwife and choose not to vaccinate the kids after much research into it.  I
am breastfeeding the 9 month old with no plans to stop any time soon.  And
we prefer a naturopath to a pediatritian any time!
I would very much enjoy being a midwife in the future when the young ones
are older and don't need me here so much.  Until then, I am not willing to
be on call to attend births and be away from the baby for who knows how
long.
I have a fantastic husband who backs me up in all of this natural living,
thankfully.  :)

Looking forward to meeting you all.

Blessings to you,

Kandice
If I could show you how to make $300-$800+ mo. part-time at home with no selling, inventory,or huge
start-up cost, would you like to hear about it?   NOT Amway!  ;)  kandyc@... 

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