Wonderful Unschooling Moments
Tracey Inman
We are new unschoolers and I have had my share of "is this really going work" thoughts since January. So I thought I would share about a wonderful unschooling moment. We have two daughters 8 & 11. Our oldest is very into nature and stays most of her life outdoors exploring. About two weeks ago I found her in a drainage ditch by my parents home. (we are living with them until we finalize our home) She was catching minnows. The jar she started with seems a bit too small so her friend next door gave her a larger aquarium to use. She set it up outside on the deck and began researching to find out what kind of minnow she had. We got up to 40 some at one point. She would spend hours (I am not exaggerating) sitting in front of this aquarium just observing them. She realized a few of them were pregnant. Then came Mother's Day. Rachael went outside about 8 am only to find one of the minnows was giving birth! And not to eggs but to live young. This was absolutely the most incredible thing I had ever seen. This went on for hours. Our family who came for mother's day lunch got all excited and my cousins who are a bit younger than I am were taking pictures for school. Rachael got upset when the other minnows starting eating the babies so she seperated the mom and babies. The poor mother gave birth for 8 hours (somthing like 50 babies) and finally died. Rachael pushed the last two babies out of her. My dh and I were amazed at the knowledge Rachael was spouting out to us during all of this. As I was taking pictures and having a grand time. I kept thinking to myself and occasionally said out loud for the benefit of those not understanding why we do what we do that this was not an event likely to happen in a classroom. Since the birth of the babies Rachael stayed on her mission to discover what kind of fish would give birth the live young. And alas! She researched until she found that she had a misquito minnow.
My dh and I were watching our girls playing with their friends in the park last night when my dh looked at me and said...."I really like our life". "Our girls are learning more because we are giving them the opportunity to be kids and explore the world without time frames or an assignment that takes the fun away and adds dread." He also made the comment that growing up in the country he had never seen anything like what Rachael had discovered. I think that goes back to the not having time to be kids and explore the world without limits and time frames.
Through this journey of unschooling, we both have made huge adjustments on how we parent. It is making such a difference in our lives and I love it.
There have been days that I worry about our younger daughter because she tends to stay bored or not have the curiousity that our older dd has. But what I have come to realize is our family has been through an awful lot in these past 6 months with moving and still not in our own home. She has taken this transition harder than any of us. She just needs time. Moving into our own home soon will help too.
For those who are just starting out in this journey I want to tell you, it is worth it! And for those of you who are seasoned unschoolers, you are my encouragement when I have the thought, "is this really going to work?" Thanks!
~Tracey I. - Enjoying watching our girls be children....
Tracey Inman
Legacy for Life
843.340.1624
http://www.TraceyInman.com
My dh and I were watching our girls playing with their friends in the park last night when my dh looked at me and said...."I really like our life". "Our girls are learning more because we are giving them the opportunity to be kids and explore the world without time frames or an assignment that takes the fun away and adds dread." He also made the comment that growing up in the country he had never seen anything like what Rachael had discovered. I think that goes back to the not having time to be kids and explore the world without limits and time frames.
Through this journey of unschooling, we both have made huge adjustments on how we parent. It is making such a difference in our lives and I love it.
There have been days that I worry about our younger daughter because she tends to stay bored or not have the curiousity that our older dd has. But what I have come to realize is our family has been through an awful lot in these past 6 months with moving and still not in our own home. She has taken this transition harder than any of us. She just needs time. Moving into our own home soon will help too.
For those who are just starting out in this journey I want to tell you, it is worth it! And for those of you who are seasoned unschoolers, you are my encouragement when I have the thought, "is this really going to work?" Thanks!
~Tracey I. - Enjoying watching our girls be children....
Tracey Inman
Legacy for Life
843.340.1624
http://www.TraceyInman.com
Kathy
We're new unschoolers, too, and one of the things I like best about
it is how much I've been re-examining my own views. I recently read
John Taylor Gatto's UNDERGROUND HISTORY OF AMERICAN PUBLIC EDUCATION,
and I found myself not only questioning the value of education as an
institution, but the whole of corporate America. Anyhow, I've
started to question everything a lot more, which is a good thing, and
I love the fact that my kids ask lots and lots of questions. I've
tried to explain to others who have expressed concerns over our
methods that blind obedience is not, and never has been, our goal.
When my husband or I are being unreasonable, my older son (who is 6
1/2) has no problem asking "why," and often it is his fresh question
that will make me think, "Now why am I asking him to do this? Do I
have a reason or am I just issuing orders?" I try to treat them like
I'd like to be treated, which is with courtesy and respect, and I
have to say, they respond very positively to this. Anyhow, I love
your Mother's Day story, and I imagine you'll remember this one for a
long time.
Kathy
--- In [email protected], Tracey Inman
<traceyinman@e...> wrote:
about a wonderful unschooling moment. We have two daughters 8 &
11. Our oldest is very into nature and stays most of her life
outdoors exploring. About two weeks ago I found her in a drainage
ditch by my parents home. (we are living with them until we finalize
our home) She was catching minnows. The jar she started with seems
a bit too small so her friend next door gave her a larger aquarium to
use. She set it up outside on the deck and began researching to find
out what kind of minnow she had. We got up to 40 some at one point.
She would spend hours (I am not exaggerating) sitting in front of
this aquarium just observing them. She realized a few of them were
pregnant. Then came Mother's Day. Rachael went outside about 8 am
only to find one of the minnows was giving birth! And not to eggs
but to live young. This was absolutely the most incredible thing I
had ever seen. This went on for hours. Our family who came for
mother's day lunch got all excited and my cousins who are a bit
younger than I am were taking pictures for school. Rachael got upset
when the other minnows starting eating the babies so she seperated
the mom and babies. The poor mother gave birth for 8 hours (somthing
like 50 babies) and finally died. Rachael pushed the last two babies
out of her. My dh and I were amazed at the knowledge Rachael was
spouting out to us during all of this. As I was taking pictures and
having a grand time. I kept thinking to myself and occasionally said
out loud for the benefit of those not understanding why we do what we
do that this was not an event likely to happen in a classroom. Since
the birth of the babies Rachael stayed on her mission to discover
what kind of fish would give birth the live young. And alas! She
researched until she found that she had a misquito minnow.
like our life". "Our girls are learning more because we are giving
them the opportunity to be kids and explore the world without time
frames or an assignment that takes the fun away and adds dread." He
also made the comment that growing up in the country he had never
seen anything like what Rachael had discovered. I think that goes
back to the not having time to be kids and explore the world without
limits and time frames.
lives and I love it.
older dd has. But what I have come to realize is our family has been
through an awful lot in these past 6 months with moving and still not
in our own home. She has taken this transition harder than any of
us. She just needs time. Moving into our own home soon will help
too.
unschoolers, you are my encouragement when I have the thought, "is
this really going to work?" Thanks!
it is how much I've been re-examining my own views. I recently read
John Taylor Gatto's UNDERGROUND HISTORY OF AMERICAN PUBLIC EDUCATION,
and I found myself not only questioning the value of education as an
institution, but the whole of corporate America. Anyhow, I've
started to question everything a lot more, which is a good thing, and
I love the fact that my kids ask lots and lots of questions. I've
tried to explain to others who have expressed concerns over our
methods that blind obedience is not, and never has been, our goal.
When my husband or I are being unreasonable, my older son (who is 6
1/2) has no problem asking "why," and often it is his fresh question
that will make me think, "Now why am I asking him to do this? Do I
have a reason or am I just issuing orders?" I try to treat them like
I'd like to be treated, which is with courtesy and respect, and I
have to say, they respond very positively to this. Anyhow, I love
your Mother's Day story, and I imagine you'll remember this one for a
long time.
Kathy
--- In [email protected], Tracey Inman
<traceyinman@e...> wrote:
> We are new unschoolers and I have had my share of "is this reallygoing work" thoughts since January. So I thought I would share
about a wonderful unschooling moment. We have two daughters 8 &
11. Our oldest is very into nature and stays most of her life
outdoors exploring. About two weeks ago I found her in a drainage
ditch by my parents home. (we are living with them until we finalize
our home) She was catching minnows. The jar she started with seems
a bit too small so her friend next door gave her a larger aquarium to
use. She set it up outside on the deck and began researching to find
out what kind of minnow she had. We got up to 40 some at one point.
She would spend hours (I am not exaggerating) sitting in front of
this aquarium just observing them. She realized a few of them were
pregnant. Then came Mother's Day. Rachael went outside about 8 am
only to find one of the minnows was giving birth! And not to eggs
but to live young. This was absolutely the most incredible thing I
had ever seen. This went on for hours. Our family who came for
mother's day lunch got all excited and my cousins who are a bit
younger than I am were taking pictures for school. Rachael got upset
when the other minnows starting eating the babies so she seperated
the mom and babies. The poor mother gave birth for 8 hours (somthing
like 50 babies) and finally died. Rachael pushed the last two babies
out of her. My dh and I were amazed at the knowledge Rachael was
spouting out to us during all of this. As I was taking pictures and
having a grand time. I kept thinking to myself and occasionally said
out loud for the benefit of those not understanding why we do what we
do that this was not an event likely to happen in a classroom. Since
the birth of the babies Rachael stayed on her mission to discover
what kind of fish would give birth the live young. And alas! She
researched until she found that she had a misquito minnow.
>the park last night when my dh looked at me and said...."I really
> My dh and I were watching our girls playing with their friends in
like our life". "Our girls are learning more because we are giving
them the opportunity to be kids and explore the world without time
frames or an assignment that takes the fun away and adds dread." He
also made the comment that growing up in the country he had never
seen anything like what Rachael had discovered. I think that goes
back to the not having time to be kids and explore the world without
limits and time frames.
>adjustments on how we parent. It is making such a difference in our
> Through this journey of unschooling, we both have made huge
lives and I love it.
>because she tends to stay bored or not have the curiousity that our
> There have been days that I worry about our younger daughter
older dd has. But what I have come to realize is our family has been
through an awful lot in these past 6 months with moving and still not
in our own home. She has taken this transition harder than any of
us. She just needs time. Moving into our own home soon will help
too.
>you, it is worth it! And for those of you who are seasoned
> For those who are just starting out in this journey I want to tell
unschoolers, you are my encouragement when I have the thought, "is
this really going to work?" Thanks!
>
> ~Tracey I. - Enjoying watching our girls be children....
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Tracey Inman
> Legacy for Life
> 843.340.1624
> http://www.TraceyInman.com
[email protected]
In a message dated 5/15/04 11:40:51 AM, KathysTMPJ@... writes:
<< I recently read
John Taylor Gatto's UNDERGROUND HISTORY OF AMERICAN PUBLIC EDUCATION,
and I found myself not only questioning the value of education as an
institution, but the whole of corporate America. >>
I think that book is the history of American Public Education in the
industrialized East. Though Gatto generalized it to the whole U.S., I think it's
inaccurate to do so.
Not that it's not some scary and true stuff, I guess I just wish he had named
it better.
Sandra
<< I recently read
John Taylor Gatto's UNDERGROUND HISTORY OF AMERICAN PUBLIC EDUCATION,
and I found myself not only questioning the value of education as an
institution, but the whole of corporate America. >>
I think that book is the history of American Public Education in the
industrialized East. Though Gatto generalized it to the whole U.S., I think it's
inaccurate to do so.
Not that it's not some scary and true stuff, I guess I just wish he had named
it better.
Sandra
Elizabeth Hill
** There have been days that I worry about our younger daughter because
she tends to stay bored or not have the curiousity that our older dd
has. But what I have come to realize is our family has been through an
awful lot in these past 6 months with moving and still not in our own
home. She has taken this transition harder than any of us. She just
needs time. Moving into our own home soon will help too. **
We moved a year ago, and it was stressful. Time will help, but I also
suggest extra snuggling, if she's at all inclined to snuggle.
Betsy
she tends to stay bored or not have the curiousity that our older dd
has. But what I have come to realize is our family has been through an
awful lot in these past 6 months with moving and still not in our own
home. She has taken this transition harder than any of us. She just
needs time. Moving into our own home soon will help too. **
We moved a year ago, and it was stressful. Time will help, but I also
suggest extra snuggling, if she's at all inclined to snuggle.
Betsy
Cally Brown
Thanks Tracey - I've been homeschooling / unschooling for 18 years and I
still love the lift that a story like this brings to my day :-)
Cally
still love the lift that a story like this brings to my day :-)
Cally
melissazietlow
--- In [email protected], Tracey Inman
<traceyinman@e...> wrote:
unschoolers, you are my encouragement when I have the thought, "is
this really going to work?" Thanks!
daughter, and for all of you to be a part of. I remember fondly the
times I spent outdoors in my youngest days -- fishing for leaves in a
ditch, playing in the hayloft, sitting in the middle of a raspberry
patch fort. Now that was life! Then I went to school...and those
times dwindled away.
I want so much to live this way with my children. I sent them out in
our fenced-in backyard the other day, only to have them return in
10min out of boredom. This happens alot, even though they have a
wooden fort with a slide and swing, a kid's 4 wheeler, and a plastic
playhouse,as well as a myriad of other toys. How I wish we could
take the fence down so they can just explore on our 9 acres!! But as
quick as the thought comes, the safety issues enter my mind. Our
house sits close to the road (what if they went up front without my
knowledge and something happened?) and there is a pond about 150ft
back from the house (what if they decided to fool around and
accidentally fell in before they can swim)? They are 3 & 5yo. Too
young to be trusted outside for long without supervision because of
these perceived threats?
We are planning to move soon (bigger house) but if that does not
happen we have discussed filling in the pond so we can relax!
Sorry to ramble. I applaud your success and positive outlook
concerning your younger dd. Time -- what we ALL need!
Melissa Z.
<traceyinman@e...> wrote:
> For those who are just starting out in this journey I want to tellyou, it is worth it! And for those of you who are seasoned
unschoolers, you are my encouragement when I have the thought, "is
this really going to work?" Thanks!
>freedom with my family. What an awesome experience for your
> ~Tracey I. - Enjoying watching our girls be children....
>
> What an inspirational story for me as I begin the journey to
daughter, and for all of you to be a part of. I remember fondly the
times I spent outdoors in my youngest days -- fishing for leaves in a
ditch, playing in the hayloft, sitting in the middle of a raspberry
patch fort. Now that was life! Then I went to school...and those
times dwindled away.
I want so much to live this way with my children. I sent them out in
our fenced-in backyard the other day, only to have them return in
10min out of boredom. This happens alot, even though they have a
wooden fort with a slide and swing, a kid's 4 wheeler, and a plastic
playhouse,as well as a myriad of other toys. How I wish we could
take the fence down so they can just explore on our 9 acres!! But as
quick as the thought comes, the safety issues enter my mind. Our
house sits close to the road (what if they went up front without my
knowledge and something happened?) and there is a pond about 150ft
back from the house (what if they decided to fool around and
accidentally fell in before they can swim)? They are 3 & 5yo. Too
young to be trusted outside for long without supervision because of
these perceived threats?
We are planning to move soon (bigger house) but if that does not
happen we have discussed filling in the pond so we can relax!
Sorry to ramble. I applaud your success and positive outlook
concerning your younger dd. Time -- what we ALL need!
Melissa Z.
Kathy
Actually, the full title is The Underground History of American
Education: A Schoolteacher's Intimate Investigation into the Problem
of Modern Schooling. This book was released in 2001, so some of the
issues are very timely in terms of what the government has been doing
with the No Child Left Behind Act and the move towards even more
standardized testing.
Education: A Schoolteacher's Intimate Investigation into the Problem
of Modern Schooling. This book was released in 2001, so some of the
issues are very timely in terms of what the government has been doing
with the No Child Left Behind Act and the move towards even more
standardized testing.
--- In [email protected], SandraDodd@a... wrote:
>
> In a message dated 5/15/04 11:40:51 AM, KathysTMPJ@n... writes:
>
> << I recently read
>
> John Taylor Gatto's UNDERGROUND HISTORY OF AMERICAN PUBLIC
EDUCATION,
>
> and I found myself not only questioning the value of education as
an
>
> institution, but the whole of corporate America. >>
>
> I think that book is the history of American Public Education in
the
> industrialized East. Though Gatto generalized it to the whole
U.S., I think it's
> inaccurate to do so.
>
> Not that it's not some scary and true stuff, I guess I just wish he
had named
> it better.
>
> Sandra
24hrmom
<< Melissa Z wrote: How I wish we could take the fence down so they can just
explore on our 9 acres!! But as quick as the thought comes, the safety
issues enter my mind. Our house sits close to the road (what if they went
up front without my knowledge and something happened?) and there is a pond
about 150ft back from the house (what if they decided to fool around and
accidentally fell in before they can swim)? They are 3 & 5yo. Too young to
be trusted outside for long without supervision because of these perceived
threats? >>
Absolutely. I don't think those are perceived threats, but real safety
concerns ... so why can't you be out with them exploring? I can understand
having a fenced in play area, but if most of their time outside is spent
exploring your wonderful property with you then I would imagine the play
toys in the fenced in area may seem more exciting the odd time they are
there.
We are right now looking at moving to a larger property, maybe 5-10 acres
with a pond or stream. My kids are older (6, 10, 12) and can swim but I
plan to be out there with them a lot. Not hovering over them, but hanging
with them and enjoying our exploration. As well as working on the many
projects we have been coming up with! The kids are fully involved in
viewing potential properties and discussing them as well as costs, logistics
etc.
<< We are planning to move soon (bigger house) but if that does not happen
we have discussed filling in the pond so we can relax! >>
Really? I think that would be one less wonderful opportunity for someone to
explore right in their own backyard. Wouldn't another safe option be to
spend lots of time exploring your property with them?
Pam L
http://www.livingjoyfully.ca
explore on our 9 acres!! But as quick as the thought comes, the safety
issues enter my mind. Our house sits close to the road (what if they went
up front without my knowledge and something happened?) and there is a pond
about 150ft back from the house (what if they decided to fool around and
accidentally fell in before they can swim)? They are 3 & 5yo. Too young to
be trusted outside for long without supervision because of these perceived
threats? >>
Absolutely. I don't think those are perceived threats, but real safety
concerns ... so why can't you be out with them exploring? I can understand
having a fenced in play area, but if most of their time outside is spent
exploring your wonderful property with you then I would imagine the play
toys in the fenced in area may seem more exciting the odd time they are
there.
We are right now looking at moving to a larger property, maybe 5-10 acres
with a pond or stream. My kids are older (6, 10, 12) and can swim but I
plan to be out there with them a lot. Not hovering over them, but hanging
with them and enjoying our exploration. As well as working on the many
projects we have been coming up with! The kids are fully involved in
viewing potential properties and discussing them as well as costs, logistics
etc.
<< We are planning to move soon (bigger house) but if that does not happen
we have discussed filling in the pond so we can relax! >>
Really? I think that would be one less wonderful opportunity for someone to
explore right in their own backyard. Wouldn't another safe option be to
spend lots of time exploring your property with them?
Pam L
http://www.livingjoyfully.ca
Tracey Inman
Betsy Wrote:
Yes, we do have many snuggling moments. She is very much our emotional barometer. I have been trying to be extra careful to stop and play cards when she asks me to or ride bikes. This whole unschooling journey has caused me to slow down and be more "present". Life is simply too short and if we are not careful is will slip right by us.
~Tracey
Tracey Inman
Legacy for Life
843.340.1624
http://www.TraceyInman.com
>>We moved a year ago, and it was stressful. Time will help, but I alsosuggest extra snuggling, if she's at all inclined to snuggle.<<
Yes, we do have many snuggling moments. She is very much our emotional barometer. I have been trying to be extra careful to stop and play cards when she asks me to or ride bikes. This whole unschooling journey has caused me to slow down and be more "present". Life is simply too short and if we are not careful is will slip right by us.
~Tracey
Tracey Inman
Legacy for Life
843.340.1624
http://www.TraceyInman.com
Tracey Inman
>>We're new unschoolers, too, and one of the things I like best aboutit is how much I've been re-examining my own views.<<
I too have re-examined so many of my views. I have oftened said that an unexamined faith isn't worth having.
I am now thinking that phrase could be said for life in general. I don't want to be another's robot of thoughts and feelings. I want to be true to who I am and I feel like that only makes be a better parent, wife, sister, etc.
~Tracey
Tracey Inman
Legacy for Life
843.340.1624
http://www.TraceyInman.com
[email protected]
Tracey,
What a wonderful day indeed. Thanks for sharing.
Lynn
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
What a wonderful day indeed. Thanks for sharing.
Lynn
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
melissazietlow
--- In [email protected], "24hrmom"
<24hrmom@s...> wrote:
I plan to do more exploring outside the fence as soon as I am not
pregnant and can manage to do so with the new baby, whether we move
or not. I did try to waddle around a few times over the last month,
but I am barely able to keep up now.
safe option be to spend lots of time exploring your property with
them?<<
Perhaps, but the pond poses other problems as well. It is not easy
to maintain, and if let go they sometimes become an algae/critter
hole. Okay for getting a glimpse of a muskrat or water snake
occasionally, but not fully enjoyable/usable. Given all the issues,
Our pond sits right smack in the middle of the property, which is
inconvienant. We feel we would rather have the space to put a barn
or pavilion up. We have great woods on the back of the property, but
because our land is very long and narrow, it is quite a walk to go
exploring.
MZ
<24hrmom@s...> wrote:
>>Absolutely. I don't think those are perceived threats, but realsafety concerns ... so why can't you be out with them exploring?<<
I plan to do more exploring outside the fence as soon as I am not
pregnant and can manage to do so with the new baby, whether we move
or not. I did try to waddle around a few times over the last month,
but I am barely able to keep up now.
>>Really? I think that would be one less wonderful opportunity forsomeone to explore right in their own backyard. Wouldn't another
safe option be to spend lots of time exploring your property with
them?<<
Perhaps, but the pond poses other problems as well. It is not easy
to maintain, and if let go they sometimes become an algae/critter
hole. Okay for getting a glimpse of a muskrat or water snake
occasionally, but not fully enjoyable/usable. Given all the issues,
Our pond sits right smack in the middle of the property, which is
inconvienant. We feel we would rather have the space to put a barn
or pavilion up. We have great woods on the back of the property, but
because our land is very long and narrow, it is quite a walk to go
exploring.
MZ
pam sorooshian
On May 15, 2004, at 8:30 PM, melissazietlow wrote:
with the babe!!!
-pam
National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.
> I plan to do more exploring outside the fence as soon as I am notBe sure to get a good, comfy sling. That'll make you far more mobile
> pregnant and can manage to do so with the new baby, whether we move
> or not. I did try to waddle around a few times over the last month,
> but I am barely able to keep up now.
with the babe!!!
-pam
National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.