The problem as I see it
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How many people look at their children and think they're doing "nothing"? I
think we have been brainwashed by p.s. to think that if a child is not doing
something that looks "schoolish", then they are not doing anything
worthwhile.(They are not learning). When an adult reads for pleasure, or
talks to the neighbors, or watches television, they are "relaxing" or "taking
a break". Not so with the children. They are "loafing" or "goofing off".
My middle daughter (Angie) went through this in March of this year. Angie
decided that she should go back to school. The conversation went something
like this:
Angie:"Mom, I am not learning anything!"
Me:"Yes you are. You're learning all the time."
Angie:"No I'm not. You don't teach us anything."
Me:"I am not the teacher. You can learn on your own."
Angie:"This is sick. You're gonna get caught."
Me:"Angie, I've told you about unschooling."
Angie:"Yeah, mom, but we don't DO anything!!"
See what I mean? In her 8 short years of p.s., she had been brainwashed into
thinking that she was doing "nothing". She still is not "comfortable" with
the idea of unschooling. She is doing better with the idea since the
"assessment". Now she brags to her friends, "We're still on summer vacation
from LAST year." LOL!
I don't know why it's easier for some people to accept unschooling fully and
let go of those "schoolish" ideas of learning. I know that Angie has always
been a "worrier".
It came easy for me, as it did Angie's sisters. I just know that "old habits
die hard".
I really do think that school is evil. I just wish I would have listened to
Angie when she came home one day in first grade and said, "I hate school.
Could you homeschool me?" It's my biggest regret in life--leaving her in
school for almost 8 years.
Mary Ellen.
think we have been brainwashed by p.s. to think that if a child is not doing
something that looks "schoolish", then they are not doing anything
worthwhile.(They are not learning). When an adult reads for pleasure, or
talks to the neighbors, or watches television, they are "relaxing" or "taking
a break". Not so with the children. They are "loafing" or "goofing off".
My middle daughter (Angie) went through this in March of this year. Angie
decided that she should go back to school. The conversation went something
like this:
Angie:"Mom, I am not learning anything!"
Me:"Yes you are. You're learning all the time."
Angie:"No I'm not. You don't teach us anything."
Me:"I am not the teacher. You can learn on your own."
Angie:"This is sick. You're gonna get caught."
Me:"Angie, I've told you about unschooling."
Angie:"Yeah, mom, but we don't DO anything!!"
See what I mean? In her 8 short years of p.s., she had been brainwashed into
thinking that she was doing "nothing". She still is not "comfortable" with
the idea of unschooling. She is doing better with the idea since the
"assessment". Now she brags to her friends, "We're still on summer vacation
from LAST year." LOL!
I don't know why it's easier for some people to accept unschooling fully and
let go of those "schoolish" ideas of learning. I know that Angie has always
been a "worrier".
It came easy for me, as it did Angie's sisters. I just know that "old habits
die hard".
I really do think that school is evil. I just wish I would have listened to
Angie when she came home one day in first grade and said, "I hate school.
Could you homeschool me?" It's my biggest regret in life--leaving her in
school for almost 8 years.
Mary Ellen.
[email protected]
In a message dated 6/9/99 9:52:07 PM, Kitchen38@... writes:
<<How many people look at their children and think they're doing "nothing"?>>
Uh..... ME, sometimes. I have one quiet child, who really is a thinker, more
than a doer. He just turned 5 recently, and is going through a profound,
thoughtful stage. Very interesting questions and observations bubble out of
him off and on throughout the day. So I have some evidence that he is
thinking, thinking, thinking. Yet I can look at him and just think he is
sitting or vegetating.
Thinking is invisible. I just need to change my assumptions and assume that
he is always thinking.
Betsy
<<How many people look at their children and think they're doing "nothing"?>>
Uh..... ME, sometimes. I have one quiet child, who really is a thinker, more
than a doer. He just turned 5 recently, and is going through a profound,
thoughtful stage. Very interesting questions and observations bubble out of
him off and on throughout the day. So I have some evidence that he is
thinking, thinking, thinking. Yet I can look at him and just think he is
sitting or vegetating.
Thinking is invisible. I just need to change my assumptions and assume that
he is always thinking.
Betsy
Diana Asberry
----Original Message Follows----
From: Kitchen38@...
How many people look at their children and think they're doing "nothing"? I
think we have been brainwashed by p.s. to think that if a child is not doing
something that looks "schoolish", then they are not doing anything
worthwhile.(They are not learning). When an adult reads for pleasure, or
talks to the neighbors, or watches television, they are "relaxing" or
"taking
a break". Not so with the children. They are "loafing" or "goofing off".
I am reminded of a poem...goes something like:
"if you see me stacking blocks.....don't say, "oh he's just playing".
I'm learning hand-eye coordination and physics.
if you see me humming a made-up song...don't say, "oh, she's just playing"
I'm creating a symphony, with instruments and voices...
etc"
Does anyone know of it? I've got it filed away, somewhere; although it
should be framed in the kids' room...
Diana
_______________________________________________________________
Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com
From: Kitchen38@...
How many people look at their children and think they're doing "nothing"? I
think we have been brainwashed by p.s. to think that if a child is not doing
something that looks "schoolish", then they are not doing anything
worthwhile.(They are not learning). When an adult reads for pleasure, or
talks to the neighbors, or watches television, they are "relaxing" or
"taking
a break". Not so with the children. They are "loafing" or "goofing off".
I am reminded of a poem...goes something like:
"if you see me stacking blocks.....don't say, "oh he's just playing".
I'm learning hand-eye coordination and physics.
if you see me humming a made-up song...don't say, "oh, she's just playing"
I'm creating a symphony, with instruments and voices...
etc"
Does anyone know of it? I've got it filed away, somewhere; although it
should be framed in the kids' room...
Diana
_______________________________________________________________
Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com
[email protected]
In a message dated 6/10/99 10:57:52 AM Central Daylight Time,
diasberry@... writes:
<< I am reminded of a poem...goes something like:
"if you see me stacking blocks.....don't say, "oh he's just playing".
I'm learning hand-eye coordination and physics.
if you see me humming a made-up song...don't say, "oh, she's just playing"
I'm creating a symphony, with instruments and voices...
etc"
Does anyone know of it? I've got it filed away, somewhere; although it
should be framed in the kids' room...
Diana
sounds like a great piece to have around and share with some of those in-laws.
Kelly
diasberry@... writes:
<< I am reminded of a poem...goes something like:
"if you see me stacking blocks.....don't say, "oh he's just playing".
I'm learning hand-eye coordination and physics.
if you see me humming a made-up song...don't say, "oh, she's just playing"
I'm creating a symphony, with instruments and voices...
etc"
Does anyone know of it? I've got it filed away, somewhere; although it
should be framed in the kids' room...
Diana
>>I would love a copy of this if anyone finds it. I have never read it but it
sounds like a great piece to have around and share with some of those in-laws.
Kelly