brainstorming help - organization name needed
pam sorooshian
Since the conference-goers are still being oh-so-quiet (traveling,
exhausted, too overloaded with extreme joy to want to come back to our
mundane world <G>), I'm going to hijack the list for one day for my own
(non-nefarious) purposes. Here's the deal:
I have to come up with an organization name - today.
We're a bunch of unschoolers, BUT here is what I want:
1. sounds enough like a school name that it won't stand out when listed
among 80 or so schools
2. sounds enough like a youth group/organization that the local parks
department will let us camp in the youth group area
3. sounds enough like an unschooling support organization or at least a
"learning support" organization that we can sponsor speakers and hold
workshops and qualify as a nonprofit organization that does those
things.
Reasons:
1. We want to set up an organization that can sponsor "teams" of
homeschooled kids doing things such as Destination Imagination. For
this we don't want to sound at all strange. We've been doing it under
"DragonTree Home Learners" and we feel that we've experienced some
anti-homeschooling discrimination from appraisers - many of whom are
teachers - and we want to try it this year while competing on a more
level playing field.
2. We want to camp out in our very lovely large regional park, which
allows youth groups such as the YMCA and scouts to camp, but not
informal groups of individual families.
3. We want to bring Sandra here to speak about unschooling and I want
to give a series of talks about joyful mathematics. To rent the rooms
we want to use, we have to pay over three times as much if we're not a
nonprofit organization. We might want to have other speakers, too, in
the future.
4. The DI team wants to do some fundraising. Local businesses will ONLY
support nonprofit organizations or schools. Most DI teams are
associated with a school and do their fundraising that way, but ours is
not, of course. For example, local fast food places and restaurants
will have special nights where we get 10 percent of the spending by
anybody coming in with one of our fliers. We need a nonprofit
organization to sponsor us.
So - I'm picturing this like a venn diagram - three circles with an
overlapping part in the center where all three conditions have to be
satisfied.
Is there any hope?
We're stymied.
-pam
exhausted, too overloaded with extreme joy to want to come back to our
mundane world <G>), I'm going to hijack the list for one day for my own
(non-nefarious) purposes. Here's the deal:
I have to come up with an organization name - today.
We're a bunch of unschoolers, BUT here is what I want:
1. sounds enough like a school name that it won't stand out when listed
among 80 or so schools
2. sounds enough like a youth group/organization that the local parks
department will let us camp in the youth group area
3. sounds enough like an unschooling support organization or at least a
"learning support" organization that we can sponsor speakers and hold
workshops and qualify as a nonprofit organization that does those
things.
Reasons:
1. We want to set up an organization that can sponsor "teams" of
homeschooled kids doing things such as Destination Imagination. For
this we don't want to sound at all strange. We've been doing it under
"DragonTree Home Learners" and we feel that we've experienced some
anti-homeschooling discrimination from appraisers - many of whom are
teachers - and we want to try it this year while competing on a more
level playing field.
2. We want to camp out in our very lovely large regional park, which
allows youth groups such as the YMCA and scouts to camp, but not
informal groups of individual families.
3. We want to bring Sandra here to speak about unschooling and I want
to give a series of talks about joyful mathematics. To rent the rooms
we want to use, we have to pay over three times as much if we're not a
nonprofit organization. We might want to have other speakers, too, in
the future.
4. The DI team wants to do some fundraising. Local businesses will ONLY
support nonprofit organizations or schools. Most DI teams are
associated with a school and do their fundraising that way, but ours is
not, of course. For example, local fast food places and restaurants
will have special nights where we get 10 percent of the spending by
anybody coming in with one of our fliers. We need a nonprofit
organization to sponsor us.
So - I'm picturing this like a venn diagram - three circles with an
overlapping part in the center where all three conditions have to be
satisfied.
Is there any hope?
We're stymied.
-pam
marji
How about something like "DragonTree Association for Cooperative Learning"
or "DragonTree Cooperative Learning Association" or something like
that? Or, you could use the geographic location in the name instead of
"DragonTree" (like, I would use "Orange County Cooperative Learning
Association," being that I'm in Orange County, New York). You could also
use something like "DragonTree Center for Cooperative Learning," but the
word "center" might be confusing to folks who are expecting you to have
a...well...center. I'm sure you'll get other ideas, but maybe these ideas
will help get other ideas that will work well for you.
Good luck!
Marji (who is really tired and joyful from the conference and attempting to
avoid working, which I really ought not do, but...)
At 20:29 8/30/04, you wrote:
or "DragonTree Cooperative Learning Association" or something like
that? Or, you could use the geographic location in the name instead of
"DragonTree" (like, I would use "Orange County Cooperative Learning
Association," being that I'm in Orange County, New York). You could also
use something like "DragonTree Center for Cooperative Learning," but the
word "center" might be confusing to folks who are expecting you to have
a...well...center. I'm sure you'll get other ideas, but maybe these ideas
will help get other ideas that will work well for you.
Good luck!
Marji (who is really tired and joyful from the conference and attempting to
avoid working, which I really ought not do, but...)
At 20:29 8/30/04, you wrote:
>Since the conference-goers are still being oh-so-quiet (traveling,
>exhausted, too overloaded with extreme joy to want to come back to our
>mundane world <G>), I'm going to hijack the list for one day for my own
>(non-nefarious) purposes. Here's the deal:
>
>I have to come up with an organization name - today.... (snip)
Elizabeth Hill
**We've been doing it under
"DragonTree Home Learners" and we feel that we've experienced some
anti-homeschooling discrimination from appraisers - many of whom are
teachers - and we want to try it this year while competing on a more
level playing field.**
I don't know much of anything about non-profit organizations. I assume
you have to have a lofty purpose. Have you put in words what your
purpose is?
For coming up with a name, I'm tempted to break the name into two
parts. There are some adjectives at the beginning of the name, and then
at the end there is a noun: e.g. learners, people, group, school, or
some-word-that-sounds-like-school-but-is-a-little-different.
You want probably some kind of more buttoned down adjectives than
"Dragon Tree". And then the second half of the naming problem is what
kind of noun do you want to be? I'd probably try to solve the noun part
first, and then add some pleasant but possibly meaningless adjectives.
Either something geographic or something uplifting or something Latin <g>.
I named our "school" Hillside Academy. I picked "academy" because I
really didn't want to use the word "school". "Hillside" is a pun on my
name (Hill) which notes that my son learns at my side. But it sounds
bland enough that it isn't obvious that it's got a joke embedded in it.
(I'm not suggesting that you have to sneak a joke into your name. It's
just my way of enjoying a rather bland name.)
Betsy, not really getting anywhere
PS When pondering nouns, "coalition" came to mind. But perhaps that
sounds too warlike? <g>
Other possibilities: group, team, um... forum, society, lyceum, um...
School names just don't sound like youth group names? I don't know any
youth group names, except Scouts of various genders.
"DragonTree Home Learners" and we feel that we've experienced some
anti-homeschooling discrimination from appraisers - many of whom are
teachers - and we want to try it this year while competing on a more
level playing field.**
I don't know much of anything about non-profit organizations. I assume
you have to have a lofty purpose. Have you put in words what your
purpose is?
For coming up with a name, I'm tempted to break the name into two
parts. There are some adjectives at the beginning of the name, and then
at the end there is a noun: e.g. learners, people, group, school, or
some-word-that-sounds-like-school-but-is-a-little-different.
You want probably some kind of more buttoned down adjectives than
"Dragon Tree". And then the second half of the naming problem is what
kind of noun do you want to be? I'd probably try to solve the noun part
first, and then add some pleasant but possibly meaningless adjectives.
Either something geographic or something uplifting or something Latin <g>.
I named our "school" Hillside Academy. I picked "academy" because I
really didn't want to use the word "school". "Hillside" is a pun on my
name (Hill) which notes that my son learns at my side. But it sounds
bland enough that it isn't obvious that it's got a joke embedded in it.
(I'm not suggesting that you have to sneak a joke into your name. It's
just my way of enjoying a rather bland name.)
Betsy, not really getting anywhere
PS When pondering nouns, "coalition" came to mind. But perhaps that
sounds too warlike? <g>
Other possibilities: group, team, um... forum, society, lyceum, um...
School names just don't sound like youth group names? I don't know any
youth group names, except Scouts of various genders.
sandy lubert
Hi all-
I'm brand new (first post!), and I am exhausted because I just drove home (to Canada) from the conference last night, BUT I couldn't resist jumping in here before I go to bed. Love this challenge! I like an acronym, because it kind of gives you a "nickname" to use if/when needed. It can also allow you to be slightly "vague" about who you are! How about CAL? "Center for Alternative Learning"? Something like that? Then, if you wanted to, you could throw "School" in if it better suited the occasion: CAL School. Um...CAIL? Center for Alternative and Independent Learning? Again, as others have suggested, you could play with it and put your geographic location in there somewhere if it works.
Good luck!
Sandy Lubert
pam sorooshian <pamsoroosh@...> wrote:
Since the conference-goers are still being oh-so-quiet (traveling,
exhausted, too overloaded with extreme joy to want to come back to our
mundane world <G>), I'm going to hijack the list for one day for my own
(non-nefarious) purposes. Here's the deal:
I have to come up with an organization name - today.
We're a bunch of unschoolers, BUT here is what I want:
1. sounds enough like a school name that it won't stand out when listed
among 80 or so schools
2. sounds enough like a youth group/organization that the local parks
department will let us camp in the youth group area
3. sounds enough like an unschooling support organization or at least a
"learning support" organization that we can sponsor speakers and hold
workshops and qualify as a nonprofit organization that does those
things.
Reasons:
1. We want to set up an organization that can sponsor "teams" of
homeschooled kids doing things such as Destination Imagination. For
this we don't want to sound at all strange. We've been doing it under
"DragonTree Home Learners" and we feel that we've experienced some
anti-homeschooling discrimination from appraisers - many of whom are
teachers - and we want to try it this year while competing on a more
level playing field.
2. We want to camp out in our very lovely large regional park, which
allows youth groups such as the YMCA and scouts to camp, but not
informal groups of individual families.
3. We want to bring Sandra here to speak about unschooling and I want
to give a series of talks about joyful mathematics. To rent the rooms
we want to use, we have to pay over three times as much if we're not a
nonprofit organization. We might want to have other speakers, too, in
the future.
4. The DI team wants to do some fundraising. Local businesses will ONLY
support nonprofit organizations or schools. Most DI teams are
associated with a school and do their fundraising that way, but ours is
not, of course. For example, local fast food places and restaurants
will have special nights where we get 10 percent of the spending by
anybody coming in with one of our fliers. We need a nonprofit
organization to sponsor us.
So - I'm picturing this like a venn diagram - three circles with an
overlapping part in the center where all three conditions have to be
satisfied.
Is there any hope?
We're stymied.
-pam
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I'm brand new (first post!), and I am exhausted because I just drove home (to Canada) from the conference last night, BUT I couldn't resist jumping in here before I go to bed. Love this challenge! I like an acronym, because it kind of gives you a "nickname" to use if/when needed. It can also allow you to be slightly "vague" about who you are! How about CAL? "Center for Alternative Learning"? Something like that? Then, if you wanted to, you could throw "School" in if it better suited the occasion: CAL School. Um...CAIL? Center for Alternative and Independent Learning? Again, as others have suggested, you could play with it and put your geographic location in there somewhere if it works.
Good luck!
Sandy Lubert
pam sorooshian <pamsoroosh@...> wrote:
Since the conference-goers are still being oh-so-quiet (traveling,
exhausted, too overloaded with extreme joy to want to come back to our
mundane world <G>), I'm going to hijack the list for one day for my own
(non-nefarious) purposes. Here's the deal:
I have to come up with an organization name - today.
We're a bunch of unschoolers, BUT here is what I want:
1. sounds enough like a school name that it won't stand out when listed
among 80 or so schools
2. sounds enough like a youth group/organization that the local parks
department will let us camp in the youth group area
3. sounds enough like an unschooling support organization or at least a
"learning support" organization that we can sponsor speakers and hold
workshops and qualify as a nonprofit organization that does those
things.
Reasons:
1. We want to set up an organization that can sponsor "teams" of
homeschooled kids doing things such as Destination Imagination. For
this we don't want to sound at all strange. We've been doing it under
"DragonTree Home Learners" and we feel that we've experienced some
anti-homeschooling discrimination from appraisers - many of whom are
teachers - and we want to try it this year while competing on a more
level playing field.
2. We want to camp out in our very lovely large regional park, which
allows youth groups such as the YMCA and scouts to camp, but not
informal groups of individual families.
3. We want to bring Sandra here to speak about unschooling and I want
to give a series of talks about joyful mathematics. To rent the rooms
we want to use, we have to pay over three times as much if we're not a
nonprofit organization. We might want to have other speakers, too, in
the future.
4. The DI team wants to do some fundraising. Local businesses will ONLY
support nonprofit organizations or schools. Most DI teams are
associated with a school and do their fundraising that way, but ours is
not, of course. For example, local fast food places and restaurants
will have special nights where we get 10 percent of the spending by
anybody coming in with one of our fliers. We need a nonprofit
organization to sponsor us.
So - I'm picturing this like a venn diagram - three circles with an
overlapping part in the center where all three conditions have to be
satisfied.
Is there any hope?
We're stymied.
-pam
"List Posting Policies" are provided in the files area of this group.
Visit the Unschooling website and message boards: http://www.unschooling.com
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
pam sorooshian
On Aug 30, 2004, at 5:49 PM, marji wrote:
So - did you KNOW that I live in Orange County, California?
-pam
National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.
> (like, I would use "Orange County Cooperative LearningGreat idea!
> Association," being that I'm in Orange County, New York).
So - did you KNOW that I live in Orange County, California?
-pam
National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.
pam sorooshian
On Aug 30, 2004, at 8:02 PM, sandy lubert wrote:
You get the PRIZE for the first to report in from the conference.
Where's everybody else? They must be all still there, extending their
stay an extra day or two!
I really like the idea of having an acronym, too, that is at least
pronounceable, if not an actual word.
And - Betsy - good point about maybe picking the noun and then some
adjective that works with it. I like something like "Learners" - don't
want to have "school" or "academy."
-pam
National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.
> Hi all-Hi Sandy ---
> I'm brand new (first post!), and I am exhausted because I just drove
> home (to Canada) from the conference last night,
You get the PRIZE for the first to report in from the conference.
Where's everybody else? They must be all still there, extending their
stay an extra day or two!
I really like the idea of having an acronym, too, that is at least
pronounceable, if not an actual word.
And - Betsy - good point about maybe picking the noun and then some
adjective that works with it. I like something like "Learners" - don't
want to have "school" or "academy."
-pam
National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.
kayb85
> Hi Sandy ---their
>
> You get the PRIZE for the first to report in from the conference.
> Where's everybody else? They must be all still there, extending
> stay an extra day or two!I'm back too. :)
> I really like the idea of having an acronym, too, that is at leastI think it would be cool if you could have an acronym that is
> pronounceable, if not an actual word.
unschooly sounding for your group to use to call themselves and then
you could use the long version for times when you need to sound like
a youth group/school-type group.
I can't actually think of an actual example though!
Sheila
Khrys Suckow
Hello. I have been just reading for about a month or so now. My son is only 23 months but I am certain I don't want to put him in public school. I am finding these posts interesting and enlightening. Thanks! I am wondering about the organization name. Perhaps, as Sheila said, the acronym could be suitable for home/unschooling while the full name sounded more official. Something like: ATHOME = Association To Heighten Orange county M.... Education ? Ok...the only thing I can think of in my half asleep state for M is munchkin or something...probably wouldn't work. But the rest might. Hope it helps. Khrys
kayb85 <sheran@...> wrote:
unschooly sounding for your group to use to call themselves and then
you could use the long version for times when you need to sound like
a youth group/school-type group.
I can't actually think of an actual example though!
Sheila
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kayb85 <sheran@...> wrote:
> Hi Sandy ---their
>
> You get the PRIZE for the first to report in from the conference.
> Where's everybody else? They must be all still there, extending
> stay an extra day or two!I'm back too. :)
> I really like the idea of having an acronym, too, that is at leastI think it would be cool if you could have an acronym that is
> pronounceable, if not an actual word.
unschooly sounding for your group to use to call themselves and then
you could use the long version for times when you need to sound like
a youth group/school-type group.
I can't actually think of an actual example though!
Sheila
"List Posting Policies" are provided in the files area of this group.
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Mary Gold
> I really like the idea of having an acronym, too, that is at leastdon't
> pronounceable, if not an actual word.
>
> And - Betsy - good point about maybe picking the noun and then some
> adjective that works with it. I like something like "Learners" -
> want to have "school" or "academy."I formed a group in Utah called The Learning Community of Park City.
TLC for short. Maybe something like that?
Life is good.
~Mary
Mary Gold
>>Something like: ATHOME = Association To Heighten Orange countyM.... Education ? Ok...the only thing I can think of in my half
asleep state for M is munchkin or something...probably wouldn't
work. But the rest might. >>
Minds?
Association To Heighten Orange county Minds through Education?
Maybe not. lol
Life is good.
~Mary
soggyboysmom
--- In [email protected], pam sorooshian
<pamsoroosh@m...> wrote:
of work for 2 days - yeesh! Anyhow, just wanted to toss in another
tidbit in this discussion. In addition to having a cool sounding
name, they might want to see your non-profit ID (which schools and
others have already). Our support group incorporated as a non-profit
last year and it was a long journey - who knew there were gazillions
of different non-profit type statuses. We got it so that we can do
things like rent space some day for an actual "center" to keep our
lending library and other resources and not be at the mercy of the
library, the children's museum, the community center when scheduling
events.
<pamsoroosh@m...> wrote:
> Since the conference-goers are still being oh-so-quiet (traveling,our
> exhausted, too overloaded with extreme joy to want to come back to
> mundane world <G>), I'm going to hijack the list for one day formy own
> (non-nefarious) purposes. Here's the deal:listed
>
> I have to come up with an organization name - today.
>
> We're a bunch of unschoolers, BUT here is what I want:
>
> 1. sounds enough like a school name that it won't stand out when
> among 80 or so schoolsparks
> 2. sounds enough like a youth group/organization that the local
> department will let us camp in the youth group arealeast a
> 3. sounds enough like an unschooling support organization or at
> "learning support" organization that we can sponsor speakers andhold
> workshops and qualify as a nonprofit organization that does thoseFor
> things.
>
> Reasons:
> 1. We want to set up an organization that can sponsor "teams" of
> homeschooled kids doing things such as Destination Imagination.
> this we don't want to sound at all strange. We've been doing itunder
> "DragonTree Home Learners" and we feel that we've experienced someare
> anti-homeschooling discrimination from appraisers - many of whom
> teachers - and we want to try it this year while competing on amore
> level playing field.which
>
> 2. We want to camp out in our very lovely large regional park,
> allows youth groups such as the YMCA and scouts to camp, but notwant
> informal groups of individual families.
>
> 3. We want to bring Sandra here to speak about unschooling and I
> to give a series of talks about joyful mathematics. To rent therooms
> we want to use, we have to pay over three times as much if we'renot a
> nonprofit organization. We might want to have other speakers, too,in
> the future.ONLY
>
> 4. The DI team wants to do some fundraising. Local businesses will
> support nonprofit organizations or schools. Most DI teams areours is
> associated with a school and do their fundraising that way, but
> not, of course. For example, local fast food places andrestaurants
> will have special nights where we get 10 percent of the spendingby
> anybody coming in with one of our fliers. We need a nonprofitan
> organization to sponsor us.
>
> So - I'm picturing this like a venn diagram - three circles with
> overlapping part in the center where all three conditions have tobe
> satisfied.I've been digging out from under emails and emails since I was out
>
> Is there any hope?
> We're stymied.
>
> -pam
of work for 2 days - yeesh! Anyhow, just wanted to toss in another
tidbit in this discussion. In addition to having a cool sounding
name, they might want to see your non-profit ID (which schools and
others have already). Our support group incorporated as a non-profit
last year and it was a long journey - who knew there were gazillions
of different non-profit type statuses. We got it so that we can do
things like rent space some day for an actual "center" to keep our
lending library and other resources and not be at the mercy of the
library, the children's museum, the community center when scheduling
events.
yukonaurora65
How about FAST? Family Association of Students and Teachers (they
don't need to know that we're all the students and all the teachers).
Or FOLLI? Family Organization of Lifelong Learning and Interactions.
Nadine
don't need to know that we're all the students and all the teachers).
Or FOLLI? Family Organization of Lifelong Learning and Interactions.
Nadine
Shannon Rizzo
Have you thought of browsing a state homeschooling organization's list of
local contacts for inspiration? For example, CA Homeschool Network lists
its branches and many have interesting names
(http://www.californiahomeschool.net/about/supportGroups.htm). There is no
rule saying you can't borrow whatever you like.
Or what about "(your county) Explorers" or "DragonTree Explorers?"
Shannon R
(of Heather, Isabella, Luke, Jake)
local contacts for inspiration? For example, CA Homeschool Network lists
its branches and many have interesting names
(http://www.californiahomeschool.net/about/supportGroups.htm). There is no
rule saying you can't borrow whatever you like.
Or what about "(your county) Explorers" or "DragonTree Explorers?"
Shannon R
(of Heather, Isabella, Luke, Jake)
Elizabeth Hill
OK, some of the people that I go to park days with have back-to-school
on the brain. One of the moms there just figured out that I really mean
it when I say we don't do lessons. And she asked me the dreaded
question "So -- what do you DO all day long?"
I did a lot of squirming and mumbling and racking my brains, and didn't
come up with a very good answer. I was too insecure to admit that we
spend about half of the day every day watching television. (But less
than that on the days we go to the park or visit friends.)
Dear Abby is always quoting Eleanor Roosevelt saying "no one can make
you feel inferior without your consent." Uh-oh. Deep down, I sometimes
feel negligent. And, I seem to have a secret respect for book-learning
and a secret disrespect for unschooling (at least the media-drenched
parts). And these attitudes are tied to my ankles like a noisy string
of tin cans.
Any comforting words? Or, perhaps, a virtual kick in the pants? <g>
Betsy
on the brain. One of the moms there just figured out that I really mean
it when I say we don't do lessons. And she asked me the dreaded
question "So -- what do you DO all day long?"
I did a lot of squirming and mumbling and racking my brains, and didn't
come up with a very good answer. I was too insecure to admit that we
spend about half of the day every day watching television. (But less
than that on the days we go to the park or visit friends.)
Dear Abby is always quoting Eleanor Roosevelt saying "no one can make
you feel inferior without your consent." Uh-oh. Deep down, I sometimes
feel negligent. And, I seem to have a secret respect for book-learning
and a secret disrespect for unschooling (at least the media-drenched
parts). And these attitudes are tied to my ankles like a noisy string
of tin cans.
Any comforting words? Or, perhaps, a virtual kick in the pants? <g>
Betsy
Crystal
Betsy, were you at the conference? The last speaker was Sandra.
She talked about the diffence between beginning unschoolers and
advanced unschoolers. In the beginning, unschoolers are afraid of
what people will say so they hide what they are doing. People hide
from advanced unschoolers because they are sooo confident that they
can out answer anyone. Ok, I'm probably botching what she said, but
there will come a day when you will have enough confidence in your
decision that you will have answers for everyone.
If your kids are smaller, maybe it will help you to keep a journal
or a log of what you and the kids do. My kids are older and we
don't do as many field trips but we do a lot more conversing and
answering questions and figuring things out. Those things are hard
to journal because who can remember everything you talked about by
the end of the day. I've found that when someone asks me what we do
all day, I give them one anecdote of something we did that was cool
and tell them how much the kids learned from that one activity. I
guess I sound convincing because I rarely get asked twice.
Crystal
She talked about the diffence between beginning unschoolers and
advanced unschoolers. In the beginning, unschoolers are afraid of
what people will say so they hide what they are doing. People hide
from advanced unschoolers because they are sooo confident that they
can out answer anyone. Ok, I'm probably botching what she said, but
there will come a day when you will have enough confidence in your
decision that you will have answers for everyone.
If your kids are smaller, maybe it will help you to keep a journal
or a log of what you and the kids do. My kids are older and we
don't do as many field trips but we do a lot more conversing and
answering questions and figuring things out. Those things are hard
to journal because who can remember everything you talked about by
the end of the day. I've found that when someone asks me what we do
all day, I give them one anecdote of something we did that was cool
and tell them how much the kids learned from that one activity. I
guess I sound convincing because I rarely get asked twice.
Crystal
Danielle Conger
One of the moms there just figured out that I really mean
it when I say we don't do lessons. And she asked me the dreaded
question "So -- what do you DO all day long?"
============
That's one of the reasons I started my blog. It shows the kinds of things we do all day and how all the days look different. Of course, my kids are younger--7, 5 and 4--so it may be easy for someone to accept that but still question for the older kids. You're welcome to send her there. I'm hoping that as my kids grow, I'll end up with a kind of document that can reassure people and serve as a resource for them as well.
If you're uncomfortable answering that kind of a question, having a couple of resources that you could spout off might take the pressure off. You could just say, "Oh, there are some wonderful resources that talk about exactly that--you should really check them out." Or, something of the sort.
That, of course, doesn't get down to the deeper question of why you think you're not comfortable with unschooling at the cellular level. *g* I don't know what makes me confident; I doubt I "get it" any better than you do. It may be that my kids are still young and there's less doubting with Em not reading at 7 than there will be when she's 10. It may be that because of teaching and my research that I'm more comfortable translating or seeing the learning in all kinds of things, not just schooly things. It'll be interesting for me to watch my own evolution--to see if the confidence stays or wavers. I have no words of wisdom on this front other than to tell you to just watch your kids, really sit back and observe them totally without bias and they're sure to amaze you!
<>--Danielle
http://www.danielleconger.com/Homeschool/Welcomehome.html
it when I say we don't do lessons. And she asked me the dreaded
question "So -- what do you DO all day long?"
============
That's one of the reasons I started my blog. It shows the kinds of things we do all day and how all the days look different. Of course, my kids are younger--7, 5 and 4--so it may be easy for someone to accept that but still question for the older kids. You're welcome to send her there. I'm hoping that as my kids grow, I'll end up with a kind of document that can reassure people and serve as a resource for them as well.
If you're uncomfortable answering that kind of a question, having a couple of resources that you could spout off might take the pressure off. You could just say, "Oh, there are some wonderful resources that talk about exactly that--you should really check them out." Or, something of the sort.
That, of course, doesn't get down to the deeper question of why you think you're not comfortable with unschooling at the cellular level. *g* I don't know what makes me confident; I doubt I "get it" any better than you do. It may be that my kids are still young and there's less doubting with Em not reading at 7 than there will be when she's 10. It may be that because of teaching and my research that I'm more comfortable translating or seeing the learning in all kinds of things, not just schooly things. It'll be interesting for me to watch my own evolution--to see if the confidence stays or wavers. I have no words of wisdom on this front other than to tell you to just watch your kids, really sit back and observe them totally without bias and they're sure to amaze you!
<>--Danielle
http://www.danielleconger.com/Homeschool/Welcomehome.html
J. Stauffer
<<<<<<Deep down, I sometimes
with that. Ask the kids if they want to go to the museum, go to the mall,
the Asian market.....try your hand at letterboxing.
It is the dogdays of summer. It is hot and miserable most places in the
country. People have had limited energy so they tend to fall into
comfortable....or perhaps not so comfortable <grin> routines.
Get out there and shake it up. Offer fun to the kids and they will jump on
it.
Yesterday, we had a ball. My 13yo was excited that I wanted to get my ear
cartiledge pierced. She couldn't wait to tell all her friends. But me and
kids hit the mall (where we never go), hit Walmart (where I avoid like the
plague), had lunch out, went to the organic market (where we all love to be)
and the feedstore (one of our favorite places). We mixed it up and it was
energizing. Give it a try.
Julie S.
> feel negligent. And, I seem to have a secret respect for book-learningSo offer the kids some "book learning". There is certainly nothing wrong
> and a secret disrespect for unschooling (at least the media-drenched
> parts). >>>>>>
with that. Ask the kids if they want to go to the museum, go to the mall,
the Asian market.....try your hand at letterboxing.
It is the dogdays of summer. It is hot and miserable most places in the
country. People have had limited energy so they tend to fall into
comfortable....or perhaps not so comfortable <grin> routines.
Get out there and shake it up. Offer fun to the kids and they will jump on
it.
Yesterday, we had a ball. My 13yo was excited that I wanted to get my ear
cartiledge pierced. She couldn't wait to tell all her friends. But me and
kids hit the mall (where we never go), hit Walmart (where I avoid like the
plague), had lunch out, went to the organic market (where we all love to be)
and the feedstore (one of our favorite places). We mixed it up and it was
energizing. Give it a try.
Julie S.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Elizabeth Hill" <ecsamhill@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2004 11:23 PM
Subject: Re: [UnschoolingDiscussion] Those pesky competitive feelings
> OK, some of the people that I go to park days with have back-to-school
> on the brain. One of the moms there just figured out that I really mean
> it when I say we don't do lessons. And she asked me the dreaded
> question "So -- what do you DO all day long?"
>
> I did a lot of squirming and mumbling and racking my brains, and didn't
> come up with a very good answer. I was too insecure to admit that we
> spend about half of the day every day watching television. (But less
> than that on the days we go to the park or visit friends.)
>
> Dear Abby is always quoting Eleanor Roosevelt saying "no one can make
> you feel inferior without your consent." Uh-oh. Deep down, I sometimes
> feel negligent. And, I seem to have a secret respect for book-learning
> and a secret disrespect for unschooling (at least the media-drenched
> parts). And these attitudes are tied to my ankles like a noisy string
> of tin cans.
>
> Any comforting words? Or, perhaps, a virtual kick in the pants? <g>
>
> Betsy
>
>
>
> "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
>
>
>
>
>
>
Sylvia Toyama
I find I have days (even weeks) when I feel a little worried that I'm neglecting something -- we'll spend several consecutive days just hanging out at home, watching TV, on the 'puter, etc. Sure, I get the laundry, the boys play with each other, but still I feel like I should be doing more.
Then we'll have a day, or two or even three, when we're busy -- not always things that look all that important, either. This week, for example -- I'd been feeling sluggish, like we'd spent too much time home last week (forgetting the multiple times we've been to the museums & zoo in the last month). Monday, we didn't do much but hang around the house -- I was feeling restless and guilty. Tuesday, tho, went like this: I stitched a cape to a t-shirt for Andy -- he played The Silver Snake Superhero (his creation) for a while; we went to the library, where we read a few books, and checked out several too. Then off to the playground nearby, where I pitched and both boys hit the ball, I kicked the soccer ball with Dan, the boys chased (twice) a roadrunner until it got smart and jumped over the fence, they rode the bouncy toys and climbed the playset; we then hit the bank, bought lunch out and hit another playground. Yesterday, Andy decided to make a card for my mil (her b'day is
coming up soon, she's been recovering from surgery and he realized she's feeling better). He spent more than an hour drawing and coloring just the right picture (a dancining tiki on a surfboard, on a big wave) only to run out of room for the head. We glued an extension on the homemade card and he finished his picture then dictated the greeting and signed his name. His friend arrived for a playdate, we packed up our park toys and went to the playground. The bigger boys played baseball, roamed all over the (huge) park, and had a great time. Dan (3) was all over the playset, monkey bars, etc; we played freeze tag, dug a tunnel in the sand, and he showed off for a 3yo girl nearby (had to be for her, he's never that showy for me!). He ran -- he runs just beautifully -- somehow I've missed noticing that before today.
Today? We're home again, dh has my car (his is in repair) so we're limited to the neighborhood park, and the boys are still asleep. It feels okay to be kinda sluggish. <g>
My point is that we're often much more active and constantly learning as unschoolers than it looks to the ultra-organized, structured learning school-at-homers. Our goal, tho, is to enjoy watching our kids unfold at their own pace and readiness -- their goal is to 'provide a better education (subjective to their opinion) than the schools.' We've rejected their path -- they don't even begin to understand ours.
We don't need to compete with them -- we don't share the same destination.
Syl
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Then we'll have a day, or two or even three, when we're busy -- not always things that look all that important, either. This week, for example -- I'd been feeling sluggish, like we'd spent too much time home last week (forgetting the multiple times we've been to the museums & zoo in the last month). Monday, we didn't do much but hang around the house -- I was feeling restless and guilty. Tuesday, tho, went like this: I stitched a cape to a t-shirt for Andy -- he played The Silver Snake Superhero (his creation) for a while; we went to the library, where we read a few books, and checked out several too. Then off to the playground nearby, where I pitched and both boys hit the ball, I kicked the soccer ball with Dan, the boys chased (twice) a roadrunner until it got smart and jumped over the fence, they rode the bouncy toys and climbed the playset; we then hit the bank, bought lunch out and hit another playground. Yesterday, Andy decided to make a card for my mil (her b'day is
coming up soon, she's been recovering from surgery and he realized she's feeling better). He spent more than an hour drawing and coloring just the right picture (a dancining tiki on a surfboard, on a big wave) only to run out of room for the head. We glued an extension on the homemade card and he finished his picture then dictated the greeting and signed his name. His friend arrived for a playdate, we packed up our park toys and went to the playground. The bigger boys played baseball, roamed all over the (huge) park, and had a great time. Dan (3) was all over the playset, monkey bars, etc; we played freeze tag, dug a tunnel in the sand, and he showed off for a 3yo girl nearby (had to be for her, he's never that showy for me!). He ran -- he runs just beautifully -- somehow I've missed noticing that before today.
Today? We're home again, dh has my car (his is in repair) so we're limited to the neighborhood park, and the boys are still asleep. It feels okay to be kinda sluggish. <g>
My point is that we're often much more active and constantly learning as unschoolers than it looks to the ultra-organized, structured learning school-at-homers. Our goal, tho, is to enjoy watching our kids unfold at their own pace and readiness -- their goal is to 'provide a better education (subjective to their opinion) than the schools.' We've rejected their path -- they don't even begin to understand ours.
We don't need to compete with them -- we don't share the same destination.
Syl
---------------------------------
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Win 1 of 4,000 free domain names from Yahoo! Enter now.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Elizabeth Hill
** That's one of the reasons I started my blog. It shows the kinds of
things we do all day and how all the days look different. Of course, my
kids are younger--7, 5 and 4--so it may be easy for someone to accept
that but still question for the older kids. You're welcome to send her
there. I'm hoping that as my kids grow, I'll end up with a kind of
document that can reassure people and serve as a resource for them as
well.**
I do keep a daily learning journal, but I'm sporadic about it. Three
years ago, when my son was 7, there was more apparent academic content
in what was recorded because he watched more PBS stuff. Now cartoons
are what he prefers. (But, hey, there was a reference to the Trojan
horse on Recess yesterday.)
** If you're uncomfortable answering that kind of a question, having a
couple of resources that you could spout off might take the pressure
off. You could just say, "Oh, there are some wonderful resources that
talk about exactly that--you should really check them out." Or,
something of the sort.**
Yeah, that's a good idea that makes it less personal. If she had asked
"how does unschooling work?" or "why do you unschool" I think I would
have made a smoother, more persuasive answer, with less embarassment.
**It may be that my kids are still young and there's less doubting with
Em not reading at 7 than there will be when she's 10.**
I am around people who unschooled until the age of about six and then
gave up and switched to more formal homeschooling. I'm not near to
anyone who is unschooling at the age of 10. But my personal (eclectic)
friends are quite supportive and when I get worried always point out how
much my kid seems to know.
Betsy
PS **We've rejected their path -- they don't even begin to understand ours.
We don't need to compete with them -- we don't share the same destination.**
These are good for me to tape on the refrigerator for moral support.
Thanks.
PS ** It is the dogdays of summer. It is hot and miserable most places
in the
country. People have had limited energy so they tend to fall into
comfortable....or perhaps not so comfortable <grin> routines.
Get out there and shake it up. Offer fun to the kids and they will jump on
it.**
Good advice. This weekend (when dad's home) is probably the perfect
time to go river kayaking, since we've got kayaks, we've got a river
running right by, and a heat wave headed in this weekend. And I'm going
to do some Fridays at the beach with other homeschooling moms, starting
next week. (We're traffic-avoidant this weekend._ And I think we'll
hit the Farmer's Market tonight and get extra food for the friends who
are visiting tomorrow.
things we do all day and how all the days look different. Of course, my
kids are younger--7, 5 and 4--so it may be easy for someone to accept
that but still question for the older kids. You're welcome to send her
there. I'm hoping that as my kids grow, I'll end up with a kind of
document that can reassure people and serve as a resource for them as
well.**
I do keep a daily learning journal, but I'm sporadic about it. Three
years ago, when my son was 7, there was more apparent academic content
in what was recorded because he watched more PBS stuff. Now cartoons
are what he prefers. (But, hey, there was a reference to the Trojan
horse on Recess yesterday.)
** If you're uncomfortable answering that kind of a question, having a
couple of resources that you could spout off might take the pressure
off. You could just say, "Oh, there are some wonderful resources that
talk about exactly that--you should really check them out." Or,
something of the sort.**
Yeah, that's a good idea that makes it less personal. If she had asked
"how does unschooling work?" or "why do you unschool" I think I would
have made a smoother, more persuasive answer, with less embarassment.
**It may be that my kids are still young and there's less doubting with
Em not reading at 7 than there will be when she's 10.**
I am around people who unschooled until the age of about six and then
gave up and switched to more formal homeschooling. I'm not near to
anyone who is unschooling at the age of 10. But my personal (eclectic)
friends are quite supportive and when I get worried always point out how
much my kid seems to know.
Betsy
PS **We've rejected their path -- they don't even begin to understand ours.
We don't need to compete with them -- we don't share the same destination.**
These are good for me to tape on the refrigerator for moral support.
Thanks.
PS ** It is the dogdays of summer. It is hot and miserable most places
in the
country. People have had limited energy so they tend to fall into
comfortable....or perhaps not so comfortable <grin> routines.
Get out there and shake it up. Offer fun to the kids and they will jump on
it.**
Good advice. This weekend (when dad's home) is probably the perfect
time to go river kayaking, since we've got kayaks, we've got a river
running right by, and a heat wave headed in this weekend. And I'm going
to do some Fridays at the beach with other homeschooling moms, starting
next week. (We're traffic-avoidant this weekend._ And I think we'll
hit the Farmer's Market tonight and get extra food for the friends who
are visiting tomorrow.
Danielle Conger
I do keep a daily learning journal, but I'm sporadic about it. Three
years ago, when my son was 7, there was more apparent academic content
in what was recorded because he watched more PBS stuff. Now cartoons
are what he prefers. (But, hey, there was a reference to the Trojan
horse on Recess yesterday.)
=========
What's different about the blog is that it's online, so other people can access it whereas they won't likely see a personal journal, kwim? So, with a blog, you can casually say, "Oh, lots of our typical days are recorded online; you should check them out. We do some really cool things." Then, you totally avoid being put on the spot at all.
I think I'd also tend to focus on interests rather than academic stuff, per se. Like I would divert talk from reading, workbooks, etc. to conversation like, "Emily's really interested in Egypt right now and anything to do with mythology, so we've reading all about that. Julia really loves rock climbing, and she's learning all about different kinds of rocks and where they are located with her dad." Stuff like that.
I think the key is to come up with ways to shift the conversation from academic ground to interest ground, if that makes any sense. Don't let those other folks define the terms of learning for you and your kids--when you let them do that, you let in those fears and doubts. If you constantly shift the ground away from them, their beliefs, not yours, will be the ones in question. They'll be saying things like, "Wow! they go into all that stuff without teaching? Wish my kids would do that."
<>--Danielle
http://www.danielleconger.com/Homeschool/Welcomehome.html
years ago, when my son was 7, there was more apparent academic content
in what was recorded because he watched more PBS stuff. Now cartoons
are what he prefers. (But, hey, there was a reference to the Trojan
horse on Recess yesterday.)
=========
What's different about the blog is that it's online, so other people can access it whereas they won't likely see a personal journal, kwim? So, with a blog, you can casually say, "Oh, lots of our typical days are recorded online; you should check them out. We do some really cool things." Then, you totally avoid being put on the spot at all.
I think I'd also tend to focus on interests rather than academic stuff, per se. Like I would divert talk from reading, workbooks, etc. to conversation like, "Emily's really interested in Egypt right now and anything to do with mythology, so we've reading all about that. Julia really loves rock climbing, and she's learning all about different kinds of rocks and where they are located with her dad." Stuff like that.
I think the key is to come up with ways to shift the conversation from academic ground to interest ground, if that makes any sense. Don't let those other folks define the terms of learning for you and your kids--when you let them do that, you let in those fears and doubts. If you constantly shift the ground away from them, their beliefs, not yours, will be the ones in question. They'll be saying things like, "Wow! they go into all that stuff without teaching? Wish my kids would do that."
<>--Danielle
http://www.danielleconger.com/Homeschool/Welcomehome.html
nellebelle
> I think the key is to come up with ways to shift the conversation fromacademic ground to interest ground, if that makes any sense.>>>>
Absolutely! I've been thinking of this analogy lately. Academics, in a
sense, are the tools. Students spend years learning to use the tools, in
preparation for the day they get to build something. Unschoolers are busy
building, and can't help but learn to use the tools while doing so.
Mary Ellen
Have a Nice Day!
This is what I've always done too, take an interest that the kids have and talk about it in a way that "those pesky people" will understand.
Kristen
Kristen
----- Original Message -----
From: Danielle Conger
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2004 11:22 AM
Subject: Re: [UnschoolingDiscussion] Those pesky competitive feelings
I do keep a daily learning journal, but I'm sporadic about it. Three
years ago, when my son was 7, there was more apparent academic content
in what was recorded because he watched more PBS stuff. Now cartoons
are what he prefers. (But, hey, there was a reference to the Trojan
horse on Recess yesterday.)
=========
What's different about the blog is that it's online, so other people can access it whereas they won't likely see a personal journal, kwim? So, with a blog, you can casually say, "Oh, lots of our typical days are recorded online; you should check them out. We do some really cool things." Then, you totally avoid being put on the spot at all.
I think I'd also tend to focus on interests rather than academic stuff, per se. Like I would divert talk from reading, workbooks, etc. to conversation like, "Emily's really interested in Egypt right now and anything to do with mythology, so we've reading all about that. Julia really loves rock climbing, and she's learning all about different kinds of rocks and where they are located with her dad." Stuff like that.
I think the key is to come up with ways to shift the conversation from academic ground to interest ground, if that makes any sense. Don't let those other folks define the terms of learning for you and your kids--when you let them do that, you let in those fears and doubts. If you constantly shift the ground away from them, their beliefs, not yours, will be the ones in question. They'll be saying things like, "Wow! they go into all that stuff without teaching? Wish my kids would do that."
<>--Danielle
http://www.danielleconger.com/Homeschool/Welcomehome.html
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bryabaldrich
Elizabeth,
I know this is late and you're probably already feeling better about
this, but I just wanted to chime in here and say that I used to feel
that way, too, but I've come to look at others' opinions of
unschooling the way I look at others' opinions of extended
breastfeeding and co-sleeping: I think what I do is right for me and
my family and I understand it might make other people uncomfortable,
but I can't help that. I do sometimes feel that I need to "educate"
friends and family about the benefits of unschooling but I remember
feeling that way with bfing too. It never worked and I would only
get more tense about it, so I stopped trying to make my case. The
suggestions about telling them where they can find more information
are great. That usually works around here. My ex-SIL, OTOH, always
wanted to argue ("They *need* to be exposed to bullying" of all
things), and I finally had to tell her that it's not up for
discussion and I would never presume to tell her how to raise her
child and I would appreciate the same respect.
That said, I do sometimes feel those "pesky competitive feelings"
but only when I'm wondering what other people are thinking about my
kids. That's just a silly thing for me to do, because there is
always going to be something about my family life that people are
going to disagree with. That's just the way it is. When *I* think
about my kids, I think they are smart, special, creative, and very,
very individual. It turns my stomach to think about sending them to
school and I am proud that we are doing what feels right to us. :)
Abby
I know this is late and you're probably already feeling better about
this, but I just wanted to chime in here and say that I used to feel
that way, too, but I've come to look at others' opinions of
unschooling the way I look at others' opinions of extended
breastfeeding and co-sleeping: I think what I do is right for me and
my family and I understand it might make other people uncomfortable,
but I can't help that. I do sometimes feel that I need to "educate"
friends and family about the benefits of unschooling but I remember
feeling that way with bfing too. It never worked and I would only
get more tense about it, so I stopped trying to make my case. The
suggestions about telling them where they can find more information
are great. That usually works around here. My ex-SIL, OTOH, always
wanted to argue ("They *need* to be exposed to bullying" of all
things), and I finally had to tell her that it's not up for
discussion and I would never presume to tell her how to raise her
child and I would appreciate the same respect.
That said, I do sometimes feel those "pesky competitive feelings"
but only when I'm wondering what other people are thinking about my
kids. That's just a silly thing for me to do, because there is
always going to be something about my family life that people are
going to disagree with. That's just the way it is. When *I* think
about my kids, I think they are smart, special, creative, and very,
very individual. It turns my stomach to think about sending them to
school and I am proud that we are doing what feels right to us. :)
Abby
Robyn Coburn
<<<<<And, I seem to have a secret respect for book-learning
and a secret disrespect for unschooling (at least the media-drenched
parts). And these attitudes are tied to my ankles like a noisy string
of tin cans.
Any comforting words? Or, perhaps, a virtual kick in the pants? <g>>>>>>
I don't know that I have anything helpful to say, except that this tin can
image is wonderful. It has made me start thinking of "Just Married" behind a
car - a merging or blending of two lifestyles. Maybe that is what you are
doing - going through a process of joining your respect for "book learning"
and the unschooling concept of "life learning". They don't have to be
mutually exclusive.
If you are disrespecting the media-drenched parts of unschooling, it could
be felt by your kids as disrespecting some of their interests. Just an idea
for you to mull over.
Robyn L. Coburn
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
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and a secret disrespect for unschooling (at least the media-drenched
parts). And these attitudes are tied to my ankles like a noisy string
of tin cans.
Any comforting words? Or, perhaps, a virtual kick in the pants? <g>>>>>>
I don't know that I have anything helpful to say, except that this tin can
image is wonderful. It has made me start thinking of "Just Married" behind a
car - a merging or blending of two lifestyles. Maybe that is what you are
doing - going through a process of joining your respect for "book learning"
and the unschooling concept of "life learning". They don't have to be
mutually exclusive.
If you are disrespecting the media-drenched parts of unschooling, it could
be felt by your kids as disrespecting some of their interests. Just an idea
for you to mull over.
Robyn L. Coburn
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.752 / Virus Database: 503 - Release Date: 9/3/2004
SHYRLEY WILLIAMS
<<<<and a secret disrespect for unschooling (at least the media-drenched
parts). And these attitudes are tied to my ankles like a noisy string
of tin cans.
Any comforting words? Or, perhaps, a virtual kick in the pants? >>>>>
Great image!
I used to feel a bit like that but it has worn off over the years and I never let my kids know. I have finally gotten rid of it but I wouldn't recommend the method. Having Celyn who has cerebral palsy and brain damage has finally taught me what is important. And that is loving your kids and letting them be who they are.
Celyn may never know what a book is, let alone hold one. But she will know how to smile and be happy and she will know I love her. And thats the important thing. The rest, talking, seeing, academia, reading, building a weather station in the back yard, etc etc is all icing on the cake (or frosting as you lot say...) and thats the main thing really, for ALL children.
Are they happy and do they know mum loves them.
Shyrley
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
parts). And these attitudes are tied to my ankles like a noisy string
of tin cans.
Any comforting words? Or, perhaps, a virtual kick in the pants? >>>>>
Great image!
I used to feel a bit like that but it has worn off over the years and I never let my kids know. I have finally gotten rid of it but I wouldn't recommend the method. Having Celyn who has cerebral palsy and brain damage has finally taught me what is important. And that is loving your kids and letting them be who they are.
Celyn may never know what a book is, let alone hold one. But she will know how to smile and be happy and she will know I love her. And thats the important thing. The rest, talking, seeing, academia, reading, building a weather station in the back yard, etc etc is all icing on the cake (or frosting as you lot say...) and thats the main thing really, for ALL children.
Are they happy and do they know mum loves them.
Shyrley
---------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Julie Bogart
> <<<<<And, I seem to have a secret respect for book-learningI'm right here with you but perhaps I've detatched a few more tin cans than you have
> and a secret disrespect for unschooling (at least the media-drenched
> parts). And these attitudes are tied to my ankles like a noisy string
> of tin cans.
>
> Any comforting words? Or, perhaps, a virtual kick in the pants? <g>>>>>>
(great image!! btw).
My older two kids have enrolled in public school this year (high school) and are going to it
four hours a day. I've realized that for all of my unschooling rhetoric, the bigger message
that has gotten through to them is that college is Very Important and that preparation
requires Hard Work.
Last night after a long heart to heart with our "senior" (and a week of soul searching with
my husband), we realized we had unwittingly done what we had never intended to do
consciously. We are both extremely frustrated with the school system seeing it up close
now. And my oldest suddenly realized last night that he doesn't want to waste another
minute of his LIFE getting ready for something that he isn't even sure he wants to do.
It was a eureka moment. He's withdrawing on Tuesday.
My sophomore daughter is face-to-face with kids who wish they could go back in time to
kill Shakespeare so that they wouldn't ahve to study him. She's taking classes where the
teachers move kids to new seats if they are having too much fun with each other working
on a project. She is studying materials that we have already used (with more creativity and
energy) two-four years ago (Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, Clues to Acting
Shakespeare, etc.)
Last night I felt like I had finally crossed all the way over the unschooling threshhold. The
little nagging doubts and hold out thoughts were smashed beneath my oldest son's
realization that he will live first and figure out what to do with his LIFE later.
Now we'll see what my dd decides to do. But I am finally at peace that this nagging doubt
about the value of school is behind me.
Julie B
Elizabeth Hill
** Are they happy and do they know mum loves them.**
Thanks, Shyrley, This is a really good point.
Give Celyn extra hugs and cuddles from me today. :-) )The other
kids, too, if you can catch them.)
Betsy
Thanks, Shyrley, This is a really good point.
Give Celyn extra hugs and cuddles from me today. :-) )The other
kids, too, if you can catch them.)
Betsy