Re: [UnschoolingDiscussion] unschooler support groups
J. Stauffer
Our basically unschoolers group (we don't run you off for using curriculum
but we don't let it be a focus of the group) doesn't have a fixed leader.
We have an email loop, meet for park days, sometimes people organize a group
rate for the children's series at the symphony or whatever.....it is nothing
very formal but lots of support goes on.
Julie S.
but we don't let it be a focus of the group) doesn't have a fixed leader.
We have an email loop, meet for park days, sometimes people organize a group
rate for the children's series at the symphony or whatever.....it is nothing
very formal but lots of support goes on.
Julie S.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lisa H" <Lmanathome@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 19, 2004 6:40 PM
Subject: [UnschoolingDiscussion] unschooler support groups
> Hi all.
> My local area homeschoolers are reactivating an unschoolers support group.
More than 6 years ago there was a monthly group in our area with a wonderful
facilitator. As the facilitator's son is now grown - she has moved on to a
professional life and is willing to work with our group but does require a
fee for her time and services. There is no doubt in anyone's mind that she
is well worth the money. However, we are questioning the need to have a
facilitator at all. Whether we decide to hire someone or not - the
question has come up as to a "format" for our meetings.
>
> I am curious of those of you who have attended or do attend a regular
'unschooler support group' what format has been used? What has worked and
what has not? I know each group evolves differently - as will this group.
I am simply looking for a variety of ideas and experiences.
>
> Thanks for any feedback.
>
> btw - if anyone is in the Metro NY area and would like to attend...contact
me off-list- first meeting is scheduled next month in Nyack, Rockland County
area.
> Lisa H.
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> "List Posting Policies" are provided in the files area of this group.
>
> Visit the Unschooling website and message boards:
http://www.unschooling.com
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Lisa H
Hi all.
My local area homeschoolers are reactivating an unschoolers support group. More than 6 years ago there was a monthly group in our area with a wonderful facilitator. As the facilitator's son is now grown - she has moved on to a professional life and is willing to work with our group but does require a fee for her time and services. There is no doubt in anyone's mind that she is well worth the money. However, we are questioning the need to have a facilitator at all. Whether we decide to hire someone or not - the question has come up as to a "format" for our meetings.
I am curious of those of you who have attended or do attend a regular 'unschooler support group' what format has been used? What has worked and what has not? I know each group evolves differently - as will this group. I am simply looking for a variety of ideas and experiences.
Thanks for any feedback.
btw - if anyone is in the Metro NY area and would like to attend...contact me off-list- first meeting is scheduled next month in Nyack, Rockland County area.
Lisa H.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
My local area homeschoolers are reactivating an unschoolers support group. More than 6 years ago there was a monthly group in our area with a wonderful facilitator. As the facilitator's son is now grown - she has moved on to a professional life and is willing to work with our group but does require a fee for her time and services. There is no doubt in anyone's mind that she is well worth the money. However, we are questioning the need to have a facilitator at all. Whether we decide to hire someone or not - the question has come up as to a "format" for our meetings.
I am curious of those of you who have attended or do attend a regular 'unschooler support group' what format has been used? What has worked and what has not? I know each group evolves differently - as will this group. I am simply looking for a variety of ideas and experiences.
Thanks for any feedback.
btw - if anyone is in the Metro NY area and would like to attend...contact me off-list- first meeting is scheduled next month in Nyack, Rockland County area.
Lisa H.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
Lisa,
We have one person in our group who organizes and facilitates our "parent
meetings". She uses parents within the group, and people from the community,
depending on what the subject of discussion is. We polled families within the
group and found out what kind subjects they would like to see discussed.
Here are some examples:
Dual enrollment-We had a dual enrollment representative from the local
college and a parent who at the time had her second child attending the college
under dual enrollment.
Library help-had a rep from the local library and a parent who uses the
library frequently.
Favorite curriculum-We had parents bring some of their favorite curriculum to
show and talk about what they liked best about it. Including websites.
Portfolios- Have a rep from the local county homeschool office or a favorite
portfolio evaluator
that could answer any questions and have a demonstration of how to put
together a portfolio, and what the expectations are.
There are just endless activities and discussions to choose from, and
utilizing the strengths of different parents in the group can be valuable. Hope this
helps.
Elaine
In a message dated 4/19/2004 7:19:37 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
Lmanathome@... writes:
Hi all.
My local area homeschoolers are reactivating an unschoolers support group.
More than 6 years ago there was a monthly group in our area with a wonderful
facilitator. As the facilitator's son is now grown - she has moved on to a
professional life and is willing to work with our group but does require a fee for
her time and services. There is no doubt in anyone's mind that she is well
worth the money. However, we are questioning the need to have a facilitator at
all. Whether we decide to hire someone or not - the question has come up as
to a "format" for our meetings.
I am curious of those of you who have attended or do attend a regular 'u
nschooler support group' what format has been used? What has worked and what has
not? I know each group evolves differently - as will this group. I am simply
looking for a variety of ideas and experiences.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
We have one person in our group who organizes and facilitates our "parent
meetings". She uses parents within the group, and people from the community,
depending on what the subject of discussion is. We polled families within the
group and found out what kind subjects they would like to see discussed.
Here are some examples:
Dual enrollment-We had a dual enrollment representative from the local
college and a parent who at the time had her second child attending the college
under dual enrollment.
Library help-had a rep from the local library and a parent who uses the
library frequently.
Favorite curriculum-We had parents bring some of their favorite curriculum to
show and talk about what they liked best about it. Including websites.
Portfolios- Have a rep from the local county homeschool office or a favorite
portfolio evaluator
that could answer any questions and have a demonstration of how to put
together a portfolio, and what the expectations are.
There are just endless activities and discussions to choose from, and
utilizing the strengths of different parents in the group can be valuable. Hope this
helps.
Elaine
In a message dated 4/19/2004 7:19:37 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
Lmanathome@... writes:
Hi all.
My local area homeschoolers are reactivating an unschoolers support group.
More than 6 years ago there was a monthly group in our area with a wonderful
facilitator. As the facilitator's son is now grown - she has moved on to a
professional life and is willing to work with our group but does require a fee for
her time and services. There is no doubt in anyone's mind that she is well
worth the money. However, we are questioning the need to have a facilitator at
all. Whether we decide to hire someone or not - the question has come up as
to a "format" for our meetings.
I am curious of those of you who have attended or do attend a regular 'u
nschooler support group' what format has been used? What has worked and what has
not? I know each group evolves differently - as will this group. I am simply
looking for a variety of ideas and experiences.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Ren Allen
"I am curious of those of you who have attended or do attend a
regular
'unschooler support group' what format has been used? What has
worked and what
has not? I know each group evolves differently - as will this group.
I am
simply looking for a variety of ideas and experiences."
I am totally, completely baffled as to why you would need any kind
of facilitation to form and run any kind of homeschooling group,
much less an UNschooling group!!
It's about getting together for fun right?
What exactly is the agenda?
I run a support group in Pensacola that is quite successful, and we
don't hold "meetings", we get together and play every week. The only
more formal thing we are now starting is a 4-H club, for those that
are interested. That will mean an actual meeting 2x per month.
If you'd like to read more about us, or see pictures, you can visit
pensacolaunschoolers.com. We have planned some of our get
togethers, because someone had a cool idea or game to share, and we
like to do parties for the holidays and such, but it's very relaxed,
very much about building friendships and NOT doing a bunch of
planning. Most of the planning falls on me because I LIKE that kind
of thing.:)
Some of us met down at the Earth Day festivities on Saturday, and
we're doing a tour of the EPA facility on Sabine Island. So we do
plan stuff here and there, but it evolves in it's own way and only
when someone wishes to organize such events.
I say, take it easy, just invite folks to hang out with you. Ideas
will come up, the group will take on a life of it's own. Unschoolers
don't need some "facilitator" to make a group successful. Part of
being a successful unschooler is recognizing your own power and
ability! She may be a hugely successful unschooler, and she may
have had a fabulous group, but she didn't PAY someone to help her do
it, she just figured it out! So you do the same.
Ren
regular
'unschooler support group' what format has been used? What has
worked and what
has not? I know each group evolves differently - as will this group.
I am
simply looking for a variety of ideas and experiences."
I am totally, completely baffled as to why you would need any kind
of facilitation to form and run any kind of homeschooling group,
much less an UNschooling group!!
It's about getting together for fun right?
What exactly is the agenda?
I run a support group in Pensacola that is quite successful, and we
don't hold "meetings", we get together and play every week. The only
more formal thing we are now starting is a 4-H club, for those that
are interested. That will mean an actual meeting 2x per month.
If you'd like to read more about us, or see pictures, you can visit
pensacolaunschoolers.com. We have planned some of our get
togethers, because someone had a cool idea or game to share, and we
like to do parties for the holidays and such, but it's very relaxed,
very much about building friendships and NOT doing a bunch of
planning. Most of the planning falls on me because I LIKE that kind
of thing.:)
Some of us met down at the Earth Day festivities on Saturday, and
we're doing a tour of the EPA facility on Sabine Island. So we do
plan stuff here and there, but it evolves in it's own way and only
when someone wishes to organize such events.
I say, take it easy, just invite folks to hang out with you. Ideas
will come up, the group will take on a life of it's own. Unschoolers
don't need some "facilitator" to make a group successful. Part of
being a successful unschooler is recognizing your own power and
ability! She may be a hugely successful unschooler, and she may
have had a fabulous group, but she didn't PAY someone to help her do
it, she just figured it out! So you do the same.
Ren
christy_imnotred
Our unschooling group meets once a month for roller skating. That is
our only set activity. We have a Yahoo group and anyone is welcome
to organize a trip or "class". My son and I recently organized an
owl pellet class for over 30 kids. That is all we do with our
group. It works for everyone involved I think.
Christy
our only set activity. We have a Yahoo group and anyone is welcome
to organize a trip or "class". My son and I recently organized an
owl pellet class for over 30 kids. That is all we do with our
group. It works for everyone involved I think.
Christy