Rose

Hi!

I am rose. I am a sahm to 3 children, Levi 8( 2nd grade), Nathan 4 (
preschool) and Lillian 13 months (new walker). I am step mom to Joseph who
7 this month, we are the part-time family ( public schooled with mom 1st
grade).

I am a homeschooling mom but I am beginning to see the 'light' with the
prospect of 'unschooling' my 8 year old. Because of custody issues I do
need to keep a record of 'daily learning'. I need to be ready at any given
time to present a "what has and is being learned'. At this time I keep a
daily chart after the work is done. I can see how this could easily be
adapted to 'unschooling'..

I am finding for me 'unschooling' isn't really a proper term for how I feel
about learning/teaching this way. But rather it is an 'alternative teaching
style'.

I can also see that 'unschooling' will make me do more with my children
compared to 'sheet work'. I like this idea too.

Because of custody issues with my two boys I don't think I would openly tell
the boys that I am unschooling them. I will just keep calling it
homeschooled'. It looks better to a judge as long as I can prove we ARE
learning at least at grade level or above (although 8 year old is in 3rd-5th
grade level on most subjects)

I have enjoyed reading (the overwhelming amount) of e-mails and look forward
to all the encouragement here.

Rose

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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In a message dated 1/16/04 11:45:12 PM, rose@... writes:

<< Because of custody issues with my two boys I don't think I would openly
tell
the boys that I am unschooling them. I will just keep calling it
homeschooled'. >>

It is still homeschooled, it's just a particular way of doing it.

I always say "homeschooling" unless I'm talking to other homeschoolers and
then I get more particular. To the outside world, my kids aren't in school
because we're homeschoolers.

It's that relativity thing. Where are you in relationship to the person
you're talking to and what do they know (and what do they care?)--like if I'm in
Canada, I'm an American; if I'm in Texas, I'm a New Mexican; if I went to
another planet I'd be an Earthling. I'm all those things, but the designation I
choose depends on who's asking and why and how general or specific it's
appropriate to be.

Sandra