More questions from me on unschooling...ugh
[email protected]
Thank you so far for the replies to my post. I see that feelings inadequecy
and questioning one's self seem to always be there..?
The issue of deschooling caught my eye. here is where I tripped up! I did
much of nothing quite often, but in between units or themes of study. We
started a foreign language, we have been do Key To math. I didn't deschool
as you say. I went right to the books! Would any of you say at this point
that I would have to take more time off and let the boys roam and explore and
find there own way? The best time was had and the most interest has been in
things that we have done spontaneously without guide and planning. It seems
natural to keep this up as it works best (I think they call this unschooling,
hahahaha).
You know what is truthfully tripping me up about all of this... the very
small time spent on any one thing? I showed them how to identify trees, they
did it for 3 days, then on to something else. this is OK? because it is
this way with everything ... well almost everything.
More silly questions from a mom in a state of inner-chaos! Whose children
are sleeping with no care in the world except caring not to be woken up :-)
Tanya near Canton Ohio, I am in Lorain County, about an hour away from
you!!!!!!! Nice to meet you!
Kim Fuelling
and questioning one's self seem to always be there..?
The issue of deschooling caught my eye. here is where I tripped up! I did
much of nothing quite often, but in between units or themes of study. We
started a foreign language, we have been do Key To math. I didn't deschool
as you say. I went right to the books! Would any of you say at this point
that I would have to take more time off and let the boys roam and explore and
find there own way? The best time was had and the most interest has been in
things that we have done spontaneously without guide and planning. It seems
natural to keep this up as it works best (I think they call this unschooling,
hahahaha).
You know what is truthfully tripping me up about all of this... the very
small time spent on any one thing? I showed them how to identify trees, they
did it for 3 days, then on to something else. this is OK? because it is
this way with everything ... well almost everything.
More silly questions from a mom in a state of inner-chaos! Whose children
are sleeping with no care in the world except caring not to be woken up :-)
Tanya near Canton Ohio, I am in Lorain County, about an hour away from
you!!!!!!! Nice to meet you!
Kim Fuelling
B & T Simpson
Great to meet you Kim, I think a feild trip with all of us in the area may
be warrented or maybe a picnic? sometime that would be great! a chance to
know we are not alone in this venture and that it will all work out
eventually! I am just happy to be away from the stress of that school!!!
(even tho I live right in front of it!!!) but this makes for easy access to
the playground!!
my oldest also doesn't want to be woke up, but she only sleeps till about 9-
9:30 and I had heard that teens don't function early in the morning anyway ,
something about their bodies clocks! when she is most attentive and
interested in things is late at night 9-12 so I encourage her to read or
watch stuff on discovery or pbs this works well for her!
Tanya Ohio
be warrented or maybe a picnic? sometime that would be great! a chance to
know we are not alone in this venture and that it will all work out
eventually! I am just happy to be away from the stress of that school!!!
(even tho I live right in front of it!!!) but this makes for easy access to
the playground!!
my oldest also doesn't want to be woke up, but she only sleeps till about 9-
9:30 and I had heard that teens don't function early in the morning anyway ,
something about their bodies clocks! when she is most attentive and
interested in things is late at night 9-12 so I encourage her to read or
watch stuff on discovery or pbs this works well for her!
Tanya Ohio
>More silly questions from a mom in a state of inner-chaos! Whose children
>are sleeping with no care in the world except caring not to be woken up :-)
>Tanya near Canton Ohio, I am in Lorain County, about an hour away from
>you!!!!!!! Nice to meet you!
>Kim Fuelling
>
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[email protected]
In a message dated 6/2/99 7:58:41 AM Central Daylight Time, APPLEKJF@...
writes:
<< Would any of you say at this point
that I would have to take more time off and let the boys roam and explore
and
find there own way? The best time was had and the most interest has been in
things that we have done spontaneously without guide and planning. >>
I think your second sentence is the answer to your question.
Yes, I do think that you need to deschool... .just need to put the whole idea
of what becoming educated is on the shelf and reconnet with spontaneity and
fun.
But then I'm pretty opinionated about this stuff. <G>
LisaKK
writes:
<< Would any of you say at this point
that I would have to take more time off and let the boys roam and explore
and
find there own way? The best time was had and the most interest has been in
things that we have done spontaneously without guide and planning. >>
I think your second sentence is the answer to your question.
Yes, I do think that you need to deschool... .just need to put the whole idea
of what becoming educated is on the shelf and reconnet with spontaneity and
fun.
But then I'm pretty opinionated about this stuff. <G>
LisaKK
[email protected]
In a message dated 6/2/99 4:58:33 AM PST, APPLEKJF@... writes:
<< Whose children are sleeping with no care in the world except caring not
to be woken up :-) >>
MINE....MINE....
And I think its great. On days we do have morning activities planned, I let
them know the night before and they usually are pretty good at adjusting and
getting up early.
Christina
<< Whose children are sleeping with no care in the world except caring not
to be woken up :-) >>
MINE....MINE....
And I think its great. On days we do have morning activities planned, I let
them know the night before and they usually are pretty good at adjusting and
getting up early.
Christina
[email protected]
Wow, Tanya, you could be writing about my 10-year old daughter! She's a real
night owl and does her best work after 9p.m., by which time I'm nodding off!
We're very lenient here so she has access to pretty much whatever she needs
to accomplish whatever project she chooses, even though it's not what most
folks consider "school hours". She's up way later than I am every night but
doesn't get up until 9:30a.m. or so. I have my time by myself early in the
morning. Everyone's happy.
Judy in CA
In a message dated 6/2/99 7:41:28 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
michigan@... writes:
night owl and does her best work after 9p.m., by which time I'm nodding off!
We're very lenient here so she has access to pretty much whatever she needs
to accomplish whatever project she chooses, even though it's not what most
folks consider "school hours". She's up way later than I am every night but
doesn't get up until 9:30a.m. or so. I have my time by myself early in the
morning. Everyone's happy.
Judy in CA
In a message dated 6/2/99 7:41:28 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
michigan@... writes:
> my oldest also doesn't want to be woke up, but she only sleeps till about 9-,
> 9:30 and I had heard that teens don't function early in the morning anyway
> something about their bodies clocks! when she is most attentive and
> interested in things is late at night 9-12 so I encourage her to read or
> watch stuff on discovery or pbs this works well for her!
B & T Simpson
>real
>Wow, Tanya, you could be writing about my 10-year old daughter! She's a
>night owl and does her best work after 9p.m., by which time I'm noddingoff!
>We're very lenient here so she has access to pretty much whatever she needsbut
>to accomplish whatever project she chooses, even though it's not what most
>folks consider "school hours". She's up way later than I am every night
>doesn't get up until 9:30a.m. or so. I have my time by myself early in theWell Judy, I wish I could say the same about time to myself, my delema is
>morning. Everyone's happy.
>
>Judy in CA
>
that my two middle kids are early risers!! so I am never alone and the other
delema with this is time alone (not always silently) with my husband without
being desturbed, she does like to follow me around or come ask me questions
where ever I am!
we will have to work on a privacy sysytem,
Tanya Ohio
[email protected]
Tanya,
I had to laugh about the time alone with husband bit.......mine works
nights so we NEVER have time alone! But, I guess, after 20 years, 10+ of
them by ourselves, we've had our alone time. I'm sure it must be difficult
juggling the schedules of many internal time clocks!
Judy in CA
In a message dated 6/2/99 8:13:17 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
michigan@... writes:
I had to laugh about the time alone with husband bit.......mine works
nights so we NEVER have time alone! But, I guess, after 20 years, 10+ of
them by ourselves, we've had our alone time. I'm sure it must be difficult
juggling the schedules of many internal time clocks!
Judy in CA
In a message dated 6/2/99 8:13:17 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
michigan@... writes:
> the otherwithout
> delema with this is time alone (not always silently) with my husband
> being desturbed, she does like to follow me around or come ask me questions
> where ever I am!
> we will have to work on a privacy sysytem,
[email protected]
In a message dated 6/2/99 8:58:47 AM, APPLEKJF@... writes:
there, pick it up again in 6 months or a year or 2 years or 20.
I think that one of the things that schools does wrong is to "overdo" and
"push" many things -- and children get really bored -- the end result is that
the children think that the *topic*, whatever it was, is boring, and never
want anything to do with it again -- or at least not for a looooooong time.
So try not to make that mistake. Children will take in as much as they are
interested in at the moment about things that are interesting to them. And
then the information will stew about in their brain and connect up with other
things that they are doing and are interested in. Life and learning is all
connected.
It is hard to see the learning process of a child from the outside -- and
even for the person who is learning the process is often a mystery. But I
must say that 3 days of doing something sounds like plenty from my point of
view. An hour or two might be enough. 15 minutes might be enough. If they
are doing what interests them, they cannot be stopped from learning.
On the other hand, sometimes natural learning looks like an obsession on
something that most people wouldn't even call "educational." I know children
who seem to eat, sleep, and breath certain "subjects" for weeks upon weeks at
at time. And they are loving every minute of it! This also is natural
learning and nothing to worry about. I really and truly think the best guide
is if the children are happy, content, enjoying themselves, doing things that
are interesting to them. If that is true, no need to worry -- they will be
learning just fine!
Janet
>You know what is truthfully tripping me up about all of this... the verythey
>small time spent on any one thing? I showed them how to identify trees,
>did it for 3 days, then on to something else. this is OK? because it isNot to worry -- natural learning often looks like this. A bit here, a bit
>this way with everything ... well almost everything.
there, pick it up again in 6 months or a year or 2 years or 20.
I think that one of the things that schools does wrong is to "overdo" and
"push" many things -- and children get really bored -- the end result is that
the children think that the *topic*, whatever it was, is boring, and never
want anything to do with it again -- or at least not for a looooooong time.
So try not to make that mistake. Children will take in as much as they are
interested in at the moment about things that are interesting to them. And
then the information will stew about in their brain and connect up with other
things that they are doing and are interested in. Life and learning is all
connected.
It is hard to see the learning process of a child from the outside -- and
even for the person who is learning the process is often a mystery. But I
must say that 3 days of doing something sounds like plenty from my point of
view. An hour or two might be enough. 15 minutes might be enough. If they
are doing what interests them, they cannot be stopped from learning.
On the other hand, sometimes natural learning looks like an obsession on
something that most people wouldn't even call "educational." I know children
who seem to eat, sleep, and breath certain "subjects" for weeks upon weeks at
at time. And they are loving every minute of it! This also is natural
learning and nothing to worry about. I really and truly think the best guide
is if the children are happy, content, enjoying themselves, doing things that
are interesting to them. If that is true, no need to worry -- they will be
learning just fine!
Janet
[email protected]
In a message dated 6/2/99 7:58:33 AM Central Daylight Time, APPLEKJF@...
writes:
<< I did
much of nothing quite often, but in between units or themes of study. We
started a foreign language, we have been do Key To math. I didn't deschool
I really can't help you, since I did the same thing. Our unschooling
usually takes place between a few weeks of unit studies. Then we get burned
out and go back to unschooling. Then uncertainy and guilt set in and we go
back to unit studies. I am like a yo yo! However, I do have my parents
breathing down my neck. Being former public school teachers, they make me
very nervous, and it is not all in my mind. They are constantly checking up
on me and asking me and the kids questions. They have even yelled and
screamed at me and threatened to "do something about it" and they don't even
know we unschool, they just weren't happy about us not doing enough hours or
enough books!
We moved half an hour away and out in the boonies (although that was because
we wanted some land in the country). Since we have only been here two weeks,
and summer vacation has started, I will have to wait until next year to see
if they still just "show up at my door to check up on me".
Tami
writes:
<< I did
much of nothing quite often, but in between units or themes of study. We
started a foreign language, we have been do Key To math. I didn't deschool
>>Kim,
I really can't help you, since I did the same thing. Our unschooling
usually takes place between a few weeks of unit studies. Then we get burned
out and go back to unschooling. Then uncertainy and guilt set in and we go
back to unit studies. I am like a yo yo! However, I do have my parents
breathing down my neck. Being former public school teachers, they make me
very nervous, and it is not all in my mind. They are constantly checking up
on me and asking me and the kids questions. They have even yelled and
screamed at me and threatened to "do something about it" and they don't even
know we unschool, they just weren't happy about us not doing enough hours or
enough books!
We moved half an hour away and out in the boonies (although that was because
we wanted some land in the country). Since we have only been here two weeks,
and summer vacation has started, I will have to wait until next year to see
if they still just "show up at my door to check up on me".
Tami
[email protected]
In a message dated 6/2/99 10:00:41 PM Central Daylight Time,
FreeSchool@... writes:
<< They are constantly checking up
on me and asking me and the kids questions. They have even yelled and
screamed at me and threatened to "do something about it >>
Ayiyiyi.
I'd be doing some distancing and limiting. This is rude and unacceptable
behaviour, even if it is your mom and dad.
I'm so sorry, this must be so hard to deal with. I'm not sure I could be
civil. :(
LisaKK
FreeSchool@... writes:
<< They are constantly checking up
on me and asking me and the kids questions. They have even yelled and
screamed at me and threatened to "do something about it >>
Ayiyiyi.
I'd be doing some distancing and limiting. This is rude and unacceptable
behaviour, even if it is your mom and dad.
I'm so sorry, this must be so hard to deal with. I'm not sure I could be
civil. :(
LisaKK
[email protected]
In a message dated 6/2/99 8:28:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time, MomReil@...
writes:
<< It is hard to see the learning process of a child from the outside -- and
even for the person who is learning the process is often a mystery. But I
must say that 3 days of doing something sounds like plenty from my point of
view. An hour or two might be enough. 15 minutes might be enough. If they
are doing what interests them, they cannot be stopped from learning.
On the other hand, sometimes natural learning looks like an obsession on
something that most people wouldn't even call "educational." I know
children
who seem to eat, sleep, and breath certain "subjects" for weeks upon weeks
at
at time. And they are loving every minute of it! This also is natural
learning and nothing to worry about. I really and truly think the best
guide
is if the children are happy, content, enjoying themselves, doing things
that
are interesting to them. If that is true, no need to worry -- they will be
learning just fine!
months.
Was even watching cooking shows on T.V. Always wanted to cook something. (Got
kind of aggravating when she would come up to me at 10:00p.m. wanting to
"bake cookies"--Mom is NOT a night-owl). Then she just "dropped" the subject
of cooking.
Now, a few weeks later, she seems to want to "pick it up again". She's
learning not just about cooking, but reading and math. Maybe someday soon,
she will take over ALL the cooking and Mom will get a break! Now if I could
just get her to get obsessed about doing the dishes...
Mary Ellen.
writes:
<< It is hard to see the learning process of a child from the outside -- and
even for the person who is learning the process is often a mystery. But I
must say that 3 days of doing something sounds like plenty from my point of
view. An hour or two might be enough. 15 minutes might be enough. If they
are doing what interests them, they cannot be stopped from learning.
On the other hand, sometimes natural learning looks like an obsession on
something that most people wouldn't even call "educational." I know
children
who seem to eat, sleep, and breath certain "subjects" for weeks upon weeks
at
at time. And they are loving every minute of it! This also is natural
learning and nothing to worry about. I really and truly think the best
guide
is if the children are happy, content, enjoying themselves, doing things
that
are interesting to them. If that is true, no need to worry -- they will be
learning just fine!
>>I agree with this. My 8 y.o. seemed obsessed with "cooking" for a couple of
months.
Was even watching cooking shows on T.V. Always wanted to cook something. (Got
kind of aggravating when she would come up to me at 10:00p.m. wanting to
"bake cookies"--Mom is NOT a night-owl). Then she just "dropped" the subject
of cooking.
Now, a few weeks later, she seems to want to "pick it up again". She's
learning not just about cooking, but reading and math. Maybe someday soon,
she will take over ALL the cooking and Mom will get a break! Now if I could
just get her to get obsessed about doing the dishes...
Mary Ellen.
B & T Simpson
->
cooking classes with the girls together might be in order here! I have tons
of tast of home magazines with hundreds of recipies!
and I will call you sometime, we are heading to mich for a wedding and will
contact you next week!
this is just tooo coool
Tanya o
> >>(Got
>I agree with this. My 8 y.o. seemed obsessed with "cooking" for a couple of
>months.
>Was even watching cooking shows on T.V. Always wanted to cook something.
>kind of aggravating when she would come up to me at 10:00p.m. wanting tosubject
>"bake cookies"--Mom is NOT a night-owl). Then she just "dropped" the
>of cooking.to become a chef in paris!!! so she also wants to learn french, I think
>Now, a few weeks later, she seems to want to "pick it up again". She's
>learning not just about cooking, but reading and math. Maybe someday soon,
>she will take over ALL the cooking and Mom will get a break! Now if I could
>just get her to get obsessed about doing the dishes...>>>>
>Mary Ellen., my middle daughter allison she is 10 loves to cook and plans
cooking classes with the girls together might be in order here! I have tons
of tast of home magazines with hundreds of recipies!
and I will call you sometime, we are heading to mich for a wedding and will
contact you next week!
this is just tooo coool
Tanya o
>
[email protected]
In a message dated 6/3/99 2:19:27 AM Central Daylight Time, KaeKaeB2@...
writes:
<< I'd be doing some distancing and limiting. This is rude and unacceptable
behaviour, even if it is your mom and dad.
I'm so sorry, this must be so hard to deal with. I'm not sure I could be
civil. :(
We have tried. We just moved three weeks ago, so that we were 30
minutes away from them, compared to 5 minutes. Because of my husbands job
and other commitments, we must stay in this area. We will see how it goes
when school starts back up in the fall. Hopefully, at least, we won't still
get "surprise visits" anymore.
Tami in IN
writes:
<< I'd be doing some distancing and limiting. This is rude and unacceptable
behaviour, even if it is your mom and dad.
I'm so sorry, this must be so hard to deal with. I'm not sure I could be
civil. :(
>>Lisa,
We have tried. We just moved three weeks ago, so that we were 30
minutes away from them, compared to 5 minutes. Because of my husbands job
and other commitments, we must stay in this area. We will see how it goes
when school starts back up in the fall. Hopefully, at least, we won't still
get "surprise visits" anymore.
Tami in IN