Re: [UnschoolingDiscussion] Digest Number 4584
[email protected]
Hi everyone, I am a new unschooler. My name is Gracie. My son is Michael, he
is 13. I started homeshooling right after Christmas break as he has a few
problems. He has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and real bad Anxiety.
Separation Anxiety???Who knows. But I was just totally exhausted trying to
get him up in the mornings when he can't get to sleep by a reasonable time.
Even with medication. I was also exhausted from getting phone calls every
day making sure I was going to pick him up right after school. I had already
moved him out of public school because of his problems, he needed smaller
class size. Can't remember much except what is important to him. Also
repeats a whole lot. Couldn't focus well somedays because he was repeating
in his head.
I started out continuing using the workbooks that the christian school was
using but again, ran into anxiety issues. If he didn't want to do it, he
would just scribble in the pages. If I didn't sit and go over each of his
assignments with him as he did them, he would guess at the answers.
Now the funny thing is that he is really smart. He is well thought of,
people have a hard time believing that someone so outgoing could suffer with
Anxiety, but it is chemical. Not emotional.
So, here we are. I can't not make him do anything he doesn't want to do any
longer. 3 and a half months of fighting is all I could take.
So, the question is, how exactlly do I keep records of what he does do?
Tell me if I am on the right track.
This week he started using the typing tutor program on my computer and got
up to 25 wpm on his left hand home keys.
He read 2 books. One was Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, and the other is Oliver
Twist. I had him tell me what the story was about and I typed it for him for
his portfolio, since he fought me on writing it. I typed it word for word
and encouraged more thought on what happened in the books.
He played yahtzee with me about 40 times, even played it by himself a whole
bunch.
He helped me chop carrotts and potatoes for dinner and is some help(not too
much) at picking up our home.
We went to chucky cheese today and had pizza and played games.
We went to Pier 1 imports and both got a candle.
We went to the pet store and played with a Bull Mastiff pup. we have two
pugs at home, it was neat playing with the big one. They say Pugs are the
toy of the Mastiff.
I did some research and can't find where they are related anywhere?
Anyway do I have the idea???
Let me know. I love your site Sandra.
Any other sites would be helpful.
Thanks,
Gracie
is 13. I started homeshooling right after Christmas break as he has a few
problems. He has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and real bad Anxiety.
Separation Anxiety???Who knows. But I was just totally exhausted trying to
get him up in the mornings when he can't get to sleep by a reasonable time.
Even with medication. I was also exhausted from getting phone calls every
day making sure I was going to pick him up right after school. I had already
moved him out of public school because of his problems, he needed smaller
class size. Can't remember much except what is important to him. Also
repeats a whole lot. Couldn't focus well somedays because he was repeating
in his head.
I started out continuing using the workbooks that the christian school was
using but again, ran into anxiety issues. If he didn't want to do it, he
would just scribble in the pages. If I didn't sit and go over each of his
assignments with him as he did them, he would guess at the answers.
Now the funny thing is that he is really smart. He is well thought of,
people have a hard time believing that someone so outgoing could suffer with
Anxiety, but it is chemical. Not emotional.
So, here we are. I can't not make him do anything he doesn't want to do any
longer. 3 and a half months of fighting is all I could take.
So, the question is, how exactlly do I keep records of what he does do?
Tell me if I am on the right track.
This week he started using the typing tutor program on my computer and got
up to 25 wpm on his left hand home keys.
He read 2 books. One was Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, and the other is Oliver
Twist. I had him tell me what the story was about and I typed it for him for
his portfolio, since he fought me on writing it. I typed it word for word
and encouraged more thought on what happened in the books.
He played yahtzee with me about 40 times, even played it by himself a whole
bunch.
He helped me chop carrotts and potatoes for dinner and is some help(not too
much) at picking up our home.
We went to chucky cheese today and had pizza and played games.
We went to Pier 1 imports and both got a candle.
We went to the pet store and played with a Bull Mastiff pup. we have two
pugs at home, it was neat playing with the big one. They say Pugs are the
toy of the Mastiff.
I did some research and can't find where they are related anywhere?
Anyway do I have the idea???
Let me know. I love your site Sandra.
Any other sites would be helpful.
Thanks,
Gracie
Mary
From: <robertgrace@...>
<<We went to the pet store and played with a Bull Mastiff pup. we have two
pugs at home, it was neat playing with the big one. They say Pugs are the
toy of the Mastiff.
I did some research and can't find where they are related anywhere?
Anyway do I have the idea???>>
Well it sounds like you are off to a great start. Doing what interests you
both and enjoying it. I think I would check and see about unschoolers in my
state as far as what is required by law and go from there as to what you
have to do to fulfill that need. It might not be even as extensive as what
you are keeping now. Sometimes there are loopholes like joining a private
school with a homeschool option that can help.
As far as the dog thing, we have a bullmastiff. They are a cross between a
bulldog and a mastiff, both coming from England. Pugs come from Asia and
later on, I have read that pugs were crossed with bulldogs to get them
smaller. But that was after the bullmastiffs. So the bulldogs may have some
pug in them but bullmastiffs do not. It's all pretty sketchy really and
depends on where the info comes from.
Mary B
<<We went to the pet store and played with a Bull Mastiff pup. we have two
pugs at home, it was neat playing with the big one. They say Pugs are the
toy of the Mastiff.
I did some research and can't find where they are related anywhere?
Anyway do I have the idea???>>
Well it sounds like you are off to a great start. Doing what interests you
both and enjoying it. I think I would check and see about unschoolers in my
state as far as what is required by law and go from there as to what you
have to do to fulfill that need. It might not be even as extensive as what
you are keeping now. Sometimes there are loopholes like joining a private
school with a homeschool option that can help.
As far as the dog thing, we have a bullmastiff. They are a cross between a
bulldog and a mastiff, both coming from England. Pugs come from Asia and
later on, I have read that pugs were crossed with bulldogs to get them
smaller. But that was after the bullmastiffs. So the bulldogs may have some
pug in them but bullmastiffs do not. It's all pretty sketchy really and
depends on where the info comes from.
Mary B
queenjane555
--- In [email protected], <robertgrace@b...>
wrote:
Welcome to the list! I have a 7 yo son and began unschooling in
December.
What state are you living in? You may be doing more than you "have"
to do.
I had him tell me what the story was about and I typed it for him for
have to satisfy any requirements here, so i am not that familiar with
what a portfolio should look like.)Maybe it would be better for you
to just list the books he's read? Or if you have to include something
about the books, ask him (during the course of the day)how he liked
the book, what was interesting about it...more like a conversation
rather than "writing a report for the portfolio"...i know my son
would NOT want to sit down and do this formally. Too much like school
for him.
The rest of your day sounded like fun. I bet your son is so much
happier now than in school! If you post where you live, other list
members who live in that state could give insight on requirements.
Katherine
wrote:
> So, the question is, how exactlly do I keep records of what he doesdo?
Welcome to the list! I have a 7 yo son and began unschooling in
December.
What state are you living in? You may be doing more than you "have"
to do.
I had him tell me what the story was about and I typed it for him for
> his portfolio, since he fought me on writing it. I typed it wordfor word
> and encouraged more thought on what happened in the books.Does the portfolio require this? (I live in Michigan, and we don't
have to satisfy any requirements here, so i am not that familiar with
what a portfolio should look like.)Maybe it would be better for you
to just list the books he's read? Or if you have to include something
about the books, ask him (during the course of the day)how he liked
the book, what was interesting about it...more like a conversation
rather than "writing a report for the portfolio"...i know my son
would NOT want to sit down and do this formally. Too much like school
for him.
The rest of your day sounded like fun. I bet your son is so much
happier now than in school! If you post where you live, other list
members who live in that state could give insight on requirements.
Katherine
Robyn Coburn
<<So, the question is, how exactlly do I keep records of what he does do?
Tell me if I am on the right track.
This week he started using the typing tutor program on my computer and got
up to 25 wpm on his left hand home keys.
He read 2 books. One was Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, and the other is Oliver
Twist. I had him tell me what the story was about and I typed it for him for
his portfolio, since he fought me on writing it. I typed it word for word
and encouraged more thought on what happened in the books.>>
My first suggestion is to ascertain what the law says about portfolio
reviews in your State and talk to others about what they do. Don't do more
than the law decrees for them to see - only do what you are both enjoying.
Some States have no assessment requirements of any kind, and the hoops are
administrative.
What were you trying to do with the book reports? Didn't you believe that he
had done the reading? Was he reading these books to please you? Forcing him
to dictate or even discuss with you what he has read is still being
schoolish - making it about the report instead of his interest in reading
whatever he wants, or not reading.
He needs to deschool. There is a lot on that topic on Sandra's site.
Here is a fairy tale I have been concocting:
Once upon a time there was a place where almost all the people lived on a
train. The train went forward at a great pace and of course stayed on the
tracks, so the view was the same from all the windows. Most of families
stayed in the same carriage for the whole journey.
Some families didn't care for the train, so they got on their bicycles
instead. Many of these families followed right beside the train, and pedaled
as hard as they needed to, to stay with it. Others followed the increasingly
numerous bike paths that were set up that started at the depot and ended at
the terminus, but were often more winding and scenic than the train route.
At some distance from the tracks, was a garden park that was full of
walkers. The walkers meandered around sometimes, and at other times were
seen to be walking briskly forward or even jogging. To the astonishment of
passing cyclists, sometimes walkers in the beautiful garden were seen to be
lounging around on the grass, or smelling the flowers. As for the people on
the train, they could barely see the garden, let alone notice the
inhabitants.
At the gateway to the garden there was always a gate keeper. People who had
jumped off the train, as well as the occasional passing cyclist would
inquire about how to get in, and the gate keeper would smile and say that it
was a walking park, and the only thing inside was foot traffic. Sometimes
hostile cyclists would come close to the gate and shout out that the walkers
weren't going anywhere and should be cycling also, or try to show off with
trick riding, but the walkers would always just keep walking, sitting,
jogging or dancing along, having such a good time that lots of folks
abandoned their bikes and joined in.
One day a cyclist arrived at the gate and wanted to go cycling in the park,
because it looked so beautiful.
The gate keeper said, "This is a walking park. There are no directions, or
maps, or paths."
The cyclist replied, "But this is a free country and I should be able to
cycle if I want to."
The gate keeper said, "Then go cycle. There are hundreds of bike paths, but
this is a walking park."
The cyclist said, "You can get along so much faster on a bike. There are
fewer distractions. Biking is better."
The gate keeper said, "Biking is not better in a walking park. The people
who are walking here have agreed that no-one can ride a bike in here. Your
bike will be perfectly safe outside the gate if you ever want to come out
and use it."
The cyclist went off in a huff, but was back the next day.
She said, "What if I agree to walk, can I go in and carry my bike?"
Walking in the beautiful park is way harder if you are hauling around your
useless bike.
Robyn L. Coburn
---
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Tell me if I am on the right track.
This week he started using the typing tutor program on my computer and got
up to 25 wpm on his left hand home keys.
He read 2 books. One was Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, and the other is Oliver
Twist. I had him tell me what the story was about and I typed it for him for
his portfolio, since he fought me on writing it. I typed it word for word
and encouraged more thought on what happened in the books.>>
My first suggestion is to ascertain what the law says about portfolio
reviews in your State and talk to others about what they do. Don't do more
than the law decrees for them to see - only do what you are both enjoying.
Some States have no assessment requirements of any kind, and the hoops are
administrative.
What were you trying to do with the book reports? Didn't you believe that he
had done the reading? Was he reading these books to please you? Forcing him
to dictate or even discuss with you what he has read is still being
schoolish - making it about the report instead of his interest in reading
whatever he wants, or not reading.
He needs to deschool. There is a lot on that topic on Sandra's site.
Here is a fairy tale I have been concocting:
Once upon a time there was a place where almost all the people lived on a
train. The train went forward at a great pace and of course stayed on the
tracks, so the view was the same from all the windows. Most of families
stayed in the same carriage for the whole journey.
Some families didn't care for the train, so they got on their bicycles
instead. Many of these families followed right beside the train, and pedaled
as hard as they needed to, to stay with it. Others followed the increasingly
numerous bike paths that were set up that started at the depot and ended at
the terminus, but were often more winding and scenic than the train route.
At some distance from the tracks, was a garden park that was full of
walkers. The walkers meandered around sometimes, and at other times were
seen to be walking briskly forward or even jogging. To the astonishment of
passing cyclists, sometimes walkers in the beautiful garden were seen to be
lounging around on the grass, or smelling the flowers. As for the people on
the train, they could barely see the garden, let alone notice the
inhabitants.
At the gateway to the garden there was always a gate keeper. People who had
jumped off the train, as well as the occasional passing cyclist would
inquire about how to get in, and the gate keeper would smile and say that it
was a walking park, and the only thing inside was foot traffic. Sometimes
hostile cyclists would come close to the gate and shout out that the walkers
weren't going anywhere and should be cycling also, or try to show off with
trick riding, but the walkers would always just keep walking, sitting,
jogging or dancing along, having such a good time that lots of folks
abandoned their bikes and joined in.
One day a cyclist arrived at the gate and wanted to go cycling in the park,
because it looked so beautiful.
The gate keeper said, "This is a walking park. There are no directions, or
maps, or paths."
The cyclist replied, "But this is a free country and I should be able to
cycle if I want to."
The gate keeper said, "Then go cycle. There are hundreds of bike paths, but
this is a walking park."
The cyclist said, "You can get along so much faster on a bike. There are
fewer distractions. Biking is better."
The gate keeper said, "Biking is not better in a walking park. The people
who are walking here have agreed that no-one can ride a bike in here. Your
bike will be perfectly safe outside the gate if you ever want to come out
and use it."
The cyclist went off in a huff, but was back the next day.
She said, "What if I agree to walk, can I go in and carry my bike?"
Walking in the beautiful park is way harder if you are hauling around your
useless bike.
Robyn L. Coburn
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.658 / Virus Database: 421 - Release Date: 4/9/2004