about unschooling
pam sorooshian
This is an edited version of post I sent to another list where the list
owner had posted the following:
Unschooling is not leaving kids to their own devices until they show an
interest in learning a given subject.
Unschoolers do not expect interests to arise out of nothing.
As an unschooling parent I offer ideas,
information, activities, starting points, and material to my
children as opportune moments arise, not out of nothing, but out of the
experiences that are created by mindful living in the world - walking
in the woods, visiting museums, watching movies, reading books, going
to the theater, swimming in the ocean. Every moment in life offers
opportunities for learning and investigation.
We went to the Rose Parade and my 12 yo daughter wondered aloud why it
doesn't smell like roses even when you're right up close to the floats.
There was a great opportunity to talk about plants being grown for
various purposes - and how that is done - tomatoes raised for
transportability rather than taste, flowers for longlastingness rather
than aroma.
Unschooling families live in a learning world - no division
of life into school time and not-school time.
We had an earthquake here last week (California) and we spent
considerable time watching the news about it and reading and
understanding what causes earthquakes and how their magnitude is
measured and also how buildings are constructed to be more safe in
earthquakes. Then the earthquake in Bam, Iran, struck. It was the same
magnitude as the one we'd just experienced. My husband is Iranian, so
this adds to our focused interest there. We read about Bam itself, a
city whose buildings were thousands of years old and absolutely
gorgeous - all gone now. We found a website with fantastic pictures of
it taken just a few months ago. This whole last week we've been
immersed in ancient history, geography, geology, and architecture. We
wanted to make a donation to the Red Cross for helping the people of
Bam, and that brought up the question of why there is the Red Crescent
in Iran, not a Red Cross. A little cultural geography thrown into the
mix. We also, by chance, watched a movie, called "Cup Final," the other
night, which was about an Israeli soldier being held captive by a PLO
guerrilla group. Again, that tied in with us spending time talking
about the middle east and religions there and the long history.
Unschoolers do not preplan a curriculum and we don't have predetermined
lesson plans. What we have instead is an extremely rich environment for
learning in which, for example, the globe sits on the living room
coffee table and is regularly handled and part of our everyday life
(not pulled out for a specific lesson). Learning is valued and
constant. Connections are looked for everywhere and the whole family is
involved and loves to explore ideas and gain new information and
knowledge. Learning happens inside the learner's own head and is not
always apparent to outside observers, but the proof, for me, is in the
pudding <G>. My kids think learning is what life is for. And I agree
with them.
-pam
National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.
owner had posted the following:
> However, unschooling, as a see it practiced by many, consistsI responded:
> of leaving kids to their own devices
> until they show an interest in learning a given subject, and then
> facilitating their learning of that
> subject or skill. The fatal flaw in this is that interest in a given
> subject (for children and adults
> alike) does not arise out of nothing. We only discover our interest in
> a given subject (or decide we are
> distinctly not interested) as we are exposed and immersed in it to a
> greater or lesser extent.
Unschooling is not leaving kids to their own devices until they show an
interest in learning a given subject.
Unschoolers do not expect interests to arise out of nothing.
As an unschooling parent I offer ideas,
information, activities, starting points, and material to my
children as opportune moments arise, not out of nothing, but out of the
experiences that are created by mindful living in the world - walking
in the woods, visiting museums, watching movies, reading books, going
to the theater, swimming in the ocean. Every moment in life offers
opportunities for learning and investigation.
We went to the Rose Parade and my 12 yo daughter wondered aloud why it
doesn't smell like roses even when you're right up close to the floats.
There was a great opportunity to talk about plants being grown for
various purposes - and how that is done - tomatoes raised for
transportability rather than taste, flowers for longlastingness rather
than aroma.
Unschooling families live in a learning world - no division
of life into school time and not-school time.
We had an earthquake here last week (California) and we spent
considerable time watching the news about it and reading and
understanding what causes earthquakes and how their magnitude is
measured and also how buildings are constructed to be more safe in
earthquakes. Then the earthquake in Bam, Iran, struck. It was the same
magnitude as the one we'd just experienced. My husband is Iranian, so
this adds to our focused interest there. We read about Bam itself, a
city whose buildings were thousands of years old and absolutely
gorgeous - all gone now. We found a website with fantastic pictures of
it taken just a few months ago. This whole last week we've been
immersed in ancient history, geography, geology, and architecture. We
wanted to make a donation to the Red Cross for helping the people of
Bam, and that brought up the question of why there is the Red Crescent
in Iran, not a Red Cross. A little cultural geography thrown into the
mix. We also, by chance, watched a movie, called "Cup Final," the other
night, which was about an Israeli soldier being held captive by a PLO
guerrilla group. Again, that tied in with us spending time talking
about the middle east and religions there and the long history.
Unschoolers do not preplan a curriculum and we don't have predetermined
lesson plans. What we have instead is an extremely rich environment for
learning in which, for example, the globe sits on the living room
coffee table and is regularly handled and part of our everyday life
(not pulled out for a specific lesson). Learning is valued and
constant. Connections are looked for everywhere and the whole family is
involved and loves to explore ideas and gain new information and
knowledge. Learning happens inside the learner's own head and is not
always apparent to outside observers, but the proof, for me, is in the
pudding <G>. My kids think learning is what life is for. And I agree
with them.
-pam
National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.
Danielle Conger
Pam, that was wonderful. Thank you! Of course, I loved all the concrete details, too, but these parts really summed it up for me.
-----------------------------------------------
Unschooling is not leaving kids to their own devices until they show an
interest in learning a given subject.
Unschoolers do not expect interests to arise out of nothing.
As an unschooling parent I offer ideas,
information, activities, starting points, and material to my
children as opportune moments arise, not out of nothing, but out of the
experiences that are created by mindful living in the world - walking
in the woods, visiting museums, watching movies, reading books, going
to the theater, swimming in the ocean. Every moment in life offers
opportunities for learning and investigation.
***
Unschooling families live in a learning world - no division
of life into school time and not-school time.
***
Unschoolers do not preplan a curriculum and we don't have predetermined
lesson plans. What we have instead is an extremely rich environment for
learning in which, for example, the globe sits on the living room
coffee table and is regularly handled and part of our everyday life
(not pulled out for a specific lesson). Learning is valued and
constant. Connections are looked for everywhere and the whole family is
involved and loves to explore ideas and gain new information and
knowledge. Learning happens inside the learner's own head and is not
always apparent to outside observers, but the proof, for me, is in the
pudding <G>. My kids think learning is what life is for. And I agree
with them.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
-----------------------------------------------
Unschooling is not leaving kids to their own devices until they show an
interest in learning a given subject.
Unschoolers do not expect interests to arise out of nothing.
As an unschooling parent I offer ideas,
information, activities, starting points, and material to my
children as opportune moments arise, not out of nothing, but out of the
experiences that are created by mindful living in the world - walking
in the woods, visiting museums, watching movies, reading books, going
to the theater, swimming in the ocean. Every moment in life offers
opportunities for learning and investigation.
***
Unschooling families live in a learning world - no division
of life into school time and not-school time.
***
Unschoolers do not preplan a curriculum and we don't have predetermined
lesson plans. What we have instead is an extremely rich environment for
learning in which, for example, the globe sits on the living room
coffee table and is regularly handled and part of our everyday life
(not pulled out for a specific lesson). Learning is valued and
constant. Connections are looked for everywhere and the whole family is
involved and loves to explore ideas and gain new information and
knowledge. Learning happens inside the learner's own head and is not
always apparent to outside observers, but the proof, for me, is in the
pudding <G>. My kids think learning is what life is for. And I agree
with them.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kelli Traaseth
I also will say "Thank you Pam!" for taking the time to write this.
So often I have wanted to write something like this but just havn't had the sit down time to do it.
It's a "printer"! (In other words, one that I'll be printing out.)
Is it OK if I forward it to my state unschooling list?
Kelli~
So often I have wanted to write something like this but just havn't had the sit down time to do it.
It's a "printer"! (In other words, one that I'll be printing out.)
Is it OK if I forward it to my state unschooling list?
Kelli~
----- Original Message -----
From: pam sorooshian
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2004 1:09 AM
Subject: [UnschoolingDiscussion] about unschooling
Unschooling is not leaving kids to their own devices until they show an
interest in learning a given subject.
Unschoolers do not expect interests to arise out of nothing.
As an unschooling parent I offer ideas,
information, activities, starting points, and material to my
children as opportune moments arise, not out of nothing, but out of the
experiences that are created by mindful living in the world - walking
in the woods, visiting museums, watching movies, reading books, going
to the theater, swimming in the ocean. Every moment in life offers
opportunities for learning and investigation.
We went to the Rose Parade and my 12 yo daughter wondered aloud why it
doesn't smell like roses even when you're right up close to the floats.
There was a great opportunity to talk about plants being grown for
various purposes - and how that is done - tomatoes raised for
transportability rather than taste, flowers for longlastingness rather
than aroma.
Unschooling families live in a learning world - no division
of life into school time and not-school time.
We had an earthquake here last week (California) and we spent
considerable time watching the news about it and reading and
understanding what causes earthquakes and how their magnitude is
measured and also how buildings are constructed to be more safe in
earthquakes. Then the earthquake in Bam, Iran, struck. It was the same
magnitude as the one we'd just experienced. My husband is Iranian, so
this adds to our focused interest there. We read about Bam itself, a
city whose buildings were thousands of years old and absolutely
gorgeous - all gone now. We found a website with fantastic pictures of
it taken just a few months ago. This whole last week we've been
immersed in ancient history, geography, geology, and architecture. We
wanted to make a donation to the Red Cross for helping the people of
Bam, and that brought up the question of why there is the Red Crescent
in Iran, not a Red Cross. A little cultural geography thrown into the
mix. We also, by chance, watched a movie, called "Cup Final," the other
night, which was about an Israeli soldier being held captive by a PLO
guerrilla group. Again, that tied in with us spending time talking
about the middle east and religions there and the long history.
Unschoolers do not preplan a curriculum and we don't have predetermined
lesson plans. What we have instead is an extremely rich environment for
learning in which, for example, the globe sits on the living room
coffee table and is regularly handled and part of our everyday life
(not pulled out for a specific lesson). Learning is valued and
constant. Connections are looked for everywhere and the whole family is
involved and loves to explore ideas and gain new information and
knowledge. Learning happens inside the learner's own head and is not
always apparent to outside observers, but the proof, for me, is in the
pudding <G>. My kids think learning is what life is for. And I agree
with them.
-pam
National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Joanna Wilkinson
Hi Pam
I used this for my local unschooling list. (I hope you don't mind)
I gave you all the credit.
I haven't posted here in a long time, but I keep reading here and
there.
Just wanted to let you know I'm still around.
Joanna
I used this for my local unschooling list. (I hope you don't mind)
I gave you all the credit.
I haven't posted here in a long time, but I keep reading here and
there.
Just wanted to let you know I'm still around.
Joanna
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: pam sorooshian
> To: [email protected]
> Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2004 1:09 AM
> Subject: [UnschoolingDiscussion] about unschooling
>
[email protected]
In a message dated 1/13/04 7:37:29 AM, Wilkinson6@... writes:
<< I haven't posted here in a long time, but I keep reading here and
there.
Just wanted to let you know I'm still around. >>
Good!
I thought about you really hard yesterday afternoon, Joanna. Maybe because
you were reading the list and thinking "I wonder if they know I'm still around?"
And maybe it was because of the questions about the Boston conference, and
those visions.
I just went to check to see whether it's the anniversary of your son Sam's
death, and it isn't yet, but nearly. January 19, a week away. {{{{Joanna}}}}
For those who don't know and especially those who might be in Boston (where I
hope and trust Joanna's family will be), Joanna's eight year old son Sam fell
through ice playing last winter, and Joanna sent this to another list about a
month later: "I keep
coming to the thought of trying to find a way to help parents really
understand how precious every minute is with their children.
Appreciating the here and now. Death comes when it will, so take
advantage of the now.
I have 3 other children and life is moving forward. "
If any of you just can't go to the conference at all but would like to make a
contribution, there is a scholarship fund in Sam Wilkinson's name to which
you could contribute if you want to help someone else who's nearer and needy
attend.
Joanna is adamant that unschooling helped Sam and their family immensely, and
so one of the best ways to remember Sam is to help other people unschool.
I didn't intend to go toward all that, just to tell you, Joanna, that
yesterday you popped whole and in color into my head.
Sandra
<< I haven't posted here in a long time, but I keep reading here and
there.
Just wanted to let you know I'm still around. >>
Good!
I thought about you really hard yesterday afternoon, Joanna. Maybe because
you were reading the list and thinking "I wonder if they know I'm still around?"
And maybe it was because of the questions about the Boston conference, and
those visions.
I just went to check to see whether it's the anniversary of your son Sam's
death, and it isn't yet, but nearly. January 19, a week away. {{{{Joanna}}}}
For those who don't know and especially those who might be in Boston (where I
hope and trust Joanna's family will be), Joanna's eight year old son Sam fell
through ice playing last winter, and Joanna sent this to another list about a
month later: "I keep
coming to the thought of trying to find a way to help parents really
understand how precious every minute is with their children.
Appreciating the here and now. Death comes when it will, so take
advantage of the now.
I have 3 other children and life is moving forward. "
If any of you just can't go to the conference at all but would like to make a
contribution, there is a scholarship fund in Sam Wilkinson's name to which
you could contribute if you want to help someone else who's nearer and needy
attend.
Joanna is adamant that unschooling helped Sam and their family immensely, and
so one of the best ways to remember Sam is to help other people unschool.
I didn't intend to go toward all that, just to tell you, Joanna, that
yesterday you popped whole and in color into my head.
Sandra
Ren
" Joanna's eight year old son Sam fell
through ice playing last winter"
I'd been thinking about Joanna and her beautiful family a lot lately...now I know my subconscious must have been remembering it was the time of year when it happened.
I was just telling Markus how I hoped the Wilkinson family would come to the 2005 unschooling beach party here, so he and Bob could lead us in a sing-a-long with the guitars.:)
I SO enjoyed seeing the pictures of Sam and knowing a little bit about the things he loved (I can see that disarming smile in a soccer uniform still). ((((((((((Joanna)))))))))))))))
Love,
Ren
"I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn."
Albert Einstein
through ice playing last winter"
I'd been thinking about Joanna and her beautiful family a lot lately...now I know my subconscious must have been remembering it was the time of year when it happened.
I was just telling Markus how I hoped the Wilkinson family would come to the 2005 unschooling beach party here, so he and Bob could lead us in a sing-a-long with the guitars.:)
I SO enjoyed seeing the pictures of Sam and knowing a little bit about the things he loved (I can see that disarming smile in a soccer uniform still). ((((((((((Joanna)))))))))))))))
Love,
Ren
"I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn."
Albert Einstein
pam sorooshian
On Jan 13, 2004, at 5:52 AM, Kelli Traaseth wrote:
-pam
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.
> Is it OK if I forward it to my state unschooling list?Of course. Thanks for the kind words.
-pam
>National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.
pam sorooshian
On Jan 13, 2004, at 6:35 AM, Joanna Wilkinson wrote:
-pam
National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.
> Just wanted to let you know I'm still around.YAY YAY -- so glad to know you're here.
> Joanna
-pam
National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.
Joanna Wilkinson
--- In [email protected], SandraDodd@a... wrote:
When I posted, I hoped I'd get some reply's of Hi back, but that was
really cool of you.
Sam thought the world was beautiful and fascinating. His enthusiasm
was contagious and his spirit was a wonder to behold. His short time
here was definitely blessed by unschooling.
He taught me so many lessons, and he's keeping right on with it.
My husband and I have a thing that when we find a penny, we say it's
from Sam. Like a little sign from him. I thought it was a nice
little thing to do, for a way to keep him with us. But it turned out
to be more than that. Bob has found pennies in the wierdest places.
He says almost everytime he finds one in a wierd spot, it's when he's
having a bad moment and one will just show up. We have some wierd
unexplainable things happen. I've noticed a pattern in my penny
finding. It's every time I'm getting short or unreasonable and a
grump. Right before I say something I'm going to regret, I look down
and see it. To me, the penny is Sam saying to me, "chill out mom".
He used to laugh at me when I would get like that. I'd be freaking
out and he would just start laughing at me and make me realize how
ridiculous I was being. He was usually the one to get me in that
state in the first place with all his energy.
I really miss that energy.
Well, that all just spilled out.
I'll prbably save this and print it. But I'll share it with you all
too.
Joanna
>that
>
> I didn't intend to go toward all that, just to tell you, Joanna,
> yesterday you popped whole and in color into my head.Thanks Sandra
>
> Sandra
When I posted, I hoped I'd get some reply's of Hi back, but that was
really cool of you.
Sam thought the world was beautiful and fascinating. His enthusiasm
was contagious and his spirit was a wonder to behold. His short time
here was definitely blessed by unschooling.
He taught me so many lessons, and he's keeping right on with it.
My husband and I have a thing that when we find a penny, we say it's
from Sam. Like a little sign from him. I thought it was a nice
little thing to do, for a way to keep him with us. But it turned out
to be more than that. Bob has found pennies in the wierdest places.
He says almost everytime he finds one in a wierd spot, it's when he's
having a bad moment and one will just show up. We have some wierd
unexplainable things happen. I've noticed a pattern in my penny
finding. It's every time I'm getting short or unreasonable and a
grump. Right before I say something I'm going to regret, I look down
and see it. To me, the penny is Sam saying to me, "chill out mom".
He used to laugh at me when I would get like that. I'd be freaking
out and he would just start laughing at me and make me realize how
ridiculous I was being. He was usually the one to get me in that
state in the first place with all his energy.
I really miss that energy.
Well, that all just spilled out.
I'll prbably save this and print it. But I'll share it with you all
too.
Joanna
Joanna Wilkinson
--- In [email protected], Ren <starsuncloud@n...>
wrote:
lead us in a sing-a-long with the guitars.:)
uniform still). ((((((((((Joanna)))))))))))))))
for us all to come, I'd come by myself, but then I thought, I don't
think they would want me without Bob. LOL
We'll all be there.
Joanna
wrote:
> I was just telling Markus how I hoped the Wilkinson family wouldcome to the 2005 unschooling beach party here, so he and Bob could
lead us in a sing-a-long with the guitars.:)
> I SO enjoyed seeing the pictures of Sam and knowing a little bitabout the things he loved (I can see that disarming smile in a soccer
uniform still). ((((((((((Joanna)))))))))))))))
>We're planning on coming. I thought if it wasn't going to work out
> Love,
> Ren
for us all to come, I'd come by myself, but then I thought, I don't
think they would want me without Bob. LOL
We'll all be there.
Joanna
Tia Leschke
>That's so beautiful, Joanna.
>He taught me so many lessons, and he's keeping right on with it.
>My husband and I have a thing that when we find a penny, we say it's
>from Sam. Like a little sign from him. I thought it was a nice
>little thing to do, for a way to keep him with us. But it turned out
>to be more than that. Bob has found pennies in the wierdest places.
>He says almost everytime he finds one in a wierd spot, it's when he's
>having a bad moment and one will just show up. We have some wierd
>unexplainable things happen. I've noticed a pattern in my penny
>finding. It's every time I'm getting short or unreasonable and a
>grump. Right before I say something I'm going to regret, I look down
>and see it. To me, the penny is Sam saying to me, "chill out mom".
>He used to laugh at me when I would get like that. I'd be freaking
>out and he would just start laughing at me and make me realize how
>ridiculous I was being. He was usually the one to get me in that
>state in the first place with all his energy.
Tia