RE: Unschooling conference AND Introduction
Karol Gale
Hi Melissa and group....,
Thanks for your response re: the Homeschooling conference in Sacramento.
I have attended one in the past. I am very interested in the UNschooling
conferences and would love to attend one. I live about 35 miles from Sac.
I have been homeschooling my grandson for 5 years and want to shift to
UNschooling with him. I have been trying to gradually change the way we
do things, sort of "feeling my way" towards an "unidentified goal".
I guess this post looks like it will serve as my introduction!! LOL
When my hubby and I took on the Guardianship of Kristopher (at age 14 mo.),
I knew I would want to homeschool him and began researching right away.
We struggled through 1st grade. I joined a charter school for 2nd grade, but
did not really know how to use it to my advantage. Third and 4th grades we have
been with a wonderful Charter School and have an advisor who has been a
real blessing to me. She is an experienced PS teacher who is now homeschooling
her own children, and her assistance has been invaluable to me.
Kristopher, now 10, is repeating 4th grade - but with different curriculum (I don't
see
that word on this list very much!! LOL). Through the Charter School, he took the
same tests given in the Calif. PS.....he finished 4th grade last year at a
beginning-4th-grade
level...He is very bright in math, so we are working with 5th grade level math.
Kristopher has had some some difficulties, and after having
him tested, it was decided he just needed a little boost in reading comprehension and
self expression. Don't get me wrong....he can self express loud and long!!!.....he
just has a real struggle when it comes to getting his thoughts on paper. As this year
has
progressed, I have come more and more to realize he needs to be in a more relaxed
situation, which I think I can provide for him through UNschooling.
The Charter school is providing some tutoring......I was able to pick the teacher for
this!
He has made wonderful progress and loves going once a week to her home. His reading
comprehension has improved 100%. He is beginning to use his imagination to create
stories, including descriptive words, etc. Rather than "writing" them, he tells them
to
his tutor and she writes them down. Then....at home he types the story into his
computer,
editing it where necessary. I think by this spring, he will be ready to "fly on his
own".
I am ready to have him "fly on his own"!! I have been reading this list for a couple
weeks....
and am overwhelmed with the volume of posts. However, for the most part, they have
been very beneficial for me and helping me to begin thinking UNschooling!!
The shift is not as easy as I had thought it might be......the "old school" ideas are
pretty
well implanted in my mind! We are visiting the library and allowing him to check out
videos, books, etc. Interestingly enough, he is checking out educational videos!!
I have been asking him what he would like to learn about, hoping to spark some
interest
in research, etc. Self-teaching.....hmmmmmm, how do I explain that to him?
I guess you can see that I am struggling with this. Since we are still part of the
Charter
School, we do have to submit a sample of each of the four core subjects once a
month, along with attendance records, and twice a year, report cards and ILPs.
I will finish out the year with this, and probably not re-up with them in the fall.
I think we are headed in the right direction!!! Would love to find a local
UNschooler
to talk with.
Sorry this is so long......I am really finding out what I am feeling and thinking as I
type!
BTW: It isn't easy being "Mom" again!!! I know now why God gave babies to
YOUNG people!! *grin* Thankfully, grandpa and Kristopher's dad are here and
lend a hand with things.
Any suggestions will be gratefully accepted!!
Karol
Grandma to Kristopher
Subject: Re: Unschooling conference
--- In [email protected], Karol Gale
<kgale@j...> wrote:
<<Does anybody know if there will be an Unschooling conference in
California anytime in the near future?
Karol (a newbie)>>
Hi Karol,
My husband, daughter and I just moved from CA in Aug of last year
(the same weekend as the last Homeschooling conference in
Sacramento). I'm not sure about a specific Unschooling conference
but, there is a Homeschooling conference every Aug. If you go
www.hsc.org, you can find out more info on it.
Melissa
Thanks for your response re: the Homeschooling conference in Sacramento.
I have attended one in the past. I am very interested in the UNschooling
conferences and would love to attend one. I live about 35 miles from Sac.
I have been homeschooling my grandson for 5 years and want to shift to
UNschooling with him. I have been trying to gradually change the way we
do things, sort of "feeling my way" towards an "unidentified goal".
I guess this post looks like it will serve as my introduction!! LOL
When my hubby and I took on the Guardianship of Kristopher (at age 14 mo.),
I knew I would want to homeschool him and began researching right away.
We struggled through 1st grade. I joined a charter school for 2nd grade, but
did not really know how to use it to my advantage. Third and 4th grades we have
been with a wonderful Charter School and have an advisor who has been a
real blessing to me. She is an experienced PS teacher who is now homeschooling
her own children, and her assistance has been invaluable to me.
Kristopher, now 10, is repeating 4th grade - but with different curriculum (I don't
see
that word on this list very much!! LOL). Through the Charter School, he took the
same tests given in the Calif. PS.....he finished 4th grade last year at a
beginning-4th-grade
level...He is very bright in math, so we are working with 5th grade level math.
Kristopher has had some some difficulties, and after having
him tested, it was decided he just needed a little boost in reading comprehension and
self expression. Don't get me wrong....he can self express loud and long!!!.....he
just has a real struggle when it comes to getting his thoughts on paper. As this year
has
progressed, I have come more and more to realize he needs to be in a more relaxed
situation, which I think I can provide for him through UNschooling.
The Charter school is providing some tutoring......I was able to pick the teacher for
this!
He has made wonderful progress and loves going once a week to her home. His reading
comprehension has improved 100%. He is beginning to use his imagination to create
stories, including descriptive words, etc. Rather than "writing" them, he tells them
to
his tutor and she writes them down. Then....at home he types the story into his
computer,
editing it where necessary. I think by this spring, he will be ready to "fly on his
own".
I am ready to have him "fly on his own"!! I have been reading this list for a couple
weeks....
and am overwhelmed with the volume of posts. However, for the most part, they have
been very beneficial for me and helping me to begin thinking UNschooling!!
The shift is not as easy as I had thought it might be......the "old school" ideas are
pretty
well implanted in my mind! We are visiting the library and allowing him to check out
videos, books, etc. Interestingly enough, he is checking out educational videos!!
I have been asking him what he would like to learn about, hoping to spark some
interest
in research, etc. Self-teaching.....hmmmmmm, how do I explain that to him?
I guess you can see that I am struggling with this. Since we are still part of the
Charter
School, we do have to submit a sample of each of the four core subjects once a
month, along with attendance records, and twice a year, report cards and ILPs.
I will finish out the year with this, and probably not re-up with them in the fall.
I think we are headed in the right direction!!! Would love to find a local
UNschooler
to talk with.
Sorry this is so long......I am really finding out what I am feeling and thinking as I
type!
BTW: It isn't easy being "Mom" again!!! I know now why God gave babies to
YOUNG people!! *grin* Thankfully, grandpa and Kristopher's dad are here and
lend a hand with things.
Any suggestions will be gratefully accepted!!
Karol
Grandma to Kristopher
Subject: Re: Unschooling conference
--- In [email protected], Karol Gale
<kgale@j...> wrote:
<<Does anybody know if there will be an Unschooling conference in
California anytime in the near future?
Karol (a newbie)>>
Hi Karol,
My husband, daughter and I just moved from CA in Aug of last year
(the same weekend as the last Homeschooling conference in
Sacramento). I'm not sure about a specific Unschooling conference
but, there is a Homeschooling conference every Aug. If you go
www.hsc.org, you can find out more info on it.
Melissa
[email protected]
In a message dated 1/14/2004 10:26:11 PM Central Standard Time, kgale@...
writes:
unschool, LOL. I never felt the need to make an announcement, I think for my kids
that would have been confusing. They were more than happy to let the curriculum
drop by the wayside. Today they are both very good at articulating how they
see learning going on in their lives. They don't say "I see learning going
on....." They just tell me stuff and I hear the learning. I would say just start
letting more and more slip away and let him fill it with his interests. Of
course you will want to continue to "strew" stuff around, LOL
Laura Buoni
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
writes:
> Self-teaching.....hmmmmmm, how do I explain that to him?I never did explain it to my kids, eventually they told me we needed to
>
unschool, LOL. I never felt the need to make an announcement, I think for my kids
that would have been confusing. They were more than happy to let the curriculum
drop by the wayside. Today they are both very good at articulating how they
see learning going on in their lives. They don't say "I see learning going
on....." They just tell me stuff and I hear the learning. I would say just start
letting more and more slip away and let him fill it with his interests. Of
course you will want to continue to "strew" stuff around, LOL
Laura Buoni
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 1/14/04 9:26:38 PM, kgale@... writes:
<< The shift is not as easy as I had thought it might be......the "old
school" ideas are
pretty
well implanted in my mind! >>
http://sandradodd.com/deschooling
Follow the links, too--they'll help you immensely.
<<I have been asking him what he would like to learn about, hoping to spark
some
interest
in research, etc. >>
Not a good idea. Just SEE what he's interested in, by watching him, by
seeing what he perks up at, by having discussions with him about what you're seeing
and doing. Unschooling isn't "sparking interest in research," it's learning
about what's in front of you because it can't be helped.
Go places and talk and play. Listen to music you haven't heard for a while
or ever. Rent more movies (they're ALL educational).
<<Self-teaching.....hmmmmmm, how do I explain that to him?>>
Don't. Just not at all.
He won't be "teaching himself," he'll be learning.
Here's some justification for making that change in thought and language:
http://sandradodd.com/wordswords
(bottom of the page)
<<I will finish out the year with this, and probably not re-up with them in
the fall.
Here:
http://sandradodd.com/empowerment
Sandra
<< The shift is not as easy as I had thought it might be......the "old
school" ideas are
pretty
well implanted in my mind! >>
http://sandradodd.com/deschooling
Follow the links, too--they'll help you immensely.
<<I have been asking him what he would like to learn about, hoping to spark
some
interest
in research, etc. >>
Not a good idea. Just SEE what he's interested in, by watching him, by
seeing what he perks up at, by having discussions with him about what you're seeing
and doing. Unschooling isn't "sparking interest in research," it's learning
about what's in front of you because it can't be helped.
Go places and talk and play. Listen to music you haven't heard for a while
or ever. Rent more movies (they're ALL educational).
<<Self-teaching.....hmmmmmm, how do I explain that to him?>>
Don't. Just not at all.
He won't be "teaching himself," he'll be learning.
Here's some justification for making that change in thought and language:
http://sandradodd.com/wordswords
(bottom of the page)
<<I will finish out the year with this, and probably not re-up with them in
the fall.
>>Why? If you don't think it's best for him, why continue?
Here:
http://sandradodd.com/empowerment
Sandra
pam sorooshian
On Jan 14, 2004, at 6:04 PM, Karol Gale wrote:
The HSC Conference in August is the most unschoolish one in California.
We could use a REAL unschooling conference - in Southern California.
Hint hint hint.
-pam
National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.
> Thanks for your response re: the Homeschooling conference inThere are other homeschool "conventions" held in the Sacramento area.
> Sacramento.
> I have attended one in the past. I am very interested in the
> UNschooling
> conferences and would love to attend one. I live about 35 miles from
> Sac.
The HSC Conference in August is the most unschoolish one in California.
We could use a REAL unschooling conference - in Southern California.
Hint hint hint.
-pam
National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.
pam sorooshian
He is 10? Have you considered the possibility that he just wasn't ready
to read earlier and his comprehension is improving because his brain is
developing and it has nothing to do with the tutoring?
No way to ever know - but if there was, I'd bet on it.
-pam
to read earlier and his comprehension is improving because his brain is
developing and it has nothing to do with the tutoring?
No way to ever know - but if there was, I'd bet on it.
-pam
On Jan 14, 2004, at 6:04 PM, Karol Gale wrote:
> The Charter school is providing some tutoring......I was able to pick
> the teacher for
> this!
> He has made wonderful progress and loves going once a week to her
> home. His reading
> comprehension has improved 100%. He is beginning to use his
> imagination to create
> stories, including descriptive words, etc. Rather than "writing"
> them, he tells them
> to
> his tutor and she writes them down.
National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.
Robyn Coburn
<<The Charter school is providing some tutoring......I was able to pick the
teacher for
this! He has made wonderful progress and loves going once a week to her
home. His reading
comprehension has improved 100%. He is beginning to use his imagination to
create
stories, including descriptive words, etc. Rather than "writing" them, he
tells them
to his tutor and she writes them down. Then....at home he types the story
into his
computer, editing it where necessary. I think by this spring, he will be
ready to "fly on his own".(snip)
The shift is not as easy as I had thought it might be......the "old school"
ideas are
pretty well implanted in my mind!>>
As another Californian, I just wanted to mention that you may send in the R4
at any time during the school year, that you choose to inform them you have
become a private school. (Just as you can pull a kid from public school and
then R-4) My point is that perceived legalities are not a reason to stay
with a Charter School until the school year is done. The number one regret
expressed by people who take up unschooling after a certain time, is that
they didn't do it sooner. Remember there is no testing, and no requirement
for portfolios or assessments in California. If the Charter is grading,
testing and assessing it is because they are accountable to the paying
customers, not the education laws for non-government schools. More info
www.hsc.org <http://www.hsc.org/> - Chaos to confidence link.
Regardless of how wonderful you feel his "progress" is, and how nice the
teacher is, he is still being measured against a public school set of
standards that is limiting. He has always been ready to fly on his own if he
is not being weighed down by those expectations. How much better to have a
writing mentor who is interested in his stories out of personal liking and
friendship, than because it is part of the curriculum and must be covered
weekly, as part of being paid.
Robyn L. Coburn
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
teacher for
this! He has made wonderful progress and loves going once a week to her
home. His reading
comprehension has improved 100%. He is beginning to use his imagination to
create
stories, including descriptive words, etc. Rather than "writing" them, he
tells them
to his tutor and she writes them down. Then....at home he types the story
into his
computer, editing it where necessary. I think by this spring, he will be
ready to "fly on his own".(snip)
The shift is not as easy as I had thought it might be......the "old school"
ideas are
pretty well implanted in my mind!>>
As another Californian, I just wanted to mention that you may send in the R4
at any time during the school year, that you choose to inform them you have
become a private school. (Just as you can pull a kid from public school and
then R-4) My point is that perceived legalities are not a reason to stay
with a Charter School until the school year is done. The number one regret
expressed by people who take up unschooling after a certain time, is that
they didn't do it sooner. Remember there is no testing, and no requirement
for portfolios or assessments in California. If the Charter is grading,
testing and assessing it is because they are accountable to the paying
customers, not the education laws for non-government schools. More info
www.hsc.org <http://www.hsc.org/> - Chaos to confidence link.
Regardless of how wonderful you feel his "progress" is, and how nice the
teacher is, he is still being measured against a public school set of
standards that is limiting. He has always been ready to fly on his own if he
is not being weighed down by those expectations. How much better to have a
writing mentor who is interested in his stories out of personal liking and
friendship, than because it is part of the curriculum and must be covered
weekly, as part of being paid.
Robyn L. Coburn
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]