torn about unschooling - Page 2

[K&JsMaMa]

Originally Posted by Dar

You can read "Summerhil"... Neill has a whole bit about a group of maybe 10-14 year old kids who had never studied math and came to him asking for a course. He agreed, on condition that they attend regularly, not goof off, and do the assigned homework, otherwise he wasn't going to waste his time. AIR, it took 6 weeks for them all to master K-8 mathematics, going to class twice a week.

Dar

Yeah, this is what my gut tells me. When they are ready to learn the stuff, they learn it in a snap.

[atypicalandrea]

Yeah, this is what my gut tells me. When they are ready to learn the stuff, they learn it in a snap.

Yep, they do. I've seen it play out too many times in my own kids, despite tossing workbooks at them. Besides, how else to explain all the things they know that I *didn't* teach them?

[ekblad9]

This reminds me of the opera experience from heck! I took my kids to see "The Magic Flute" it was a stressful experience and we left before it was over. I cried thinking they would hate opera and never want to go again. So, a few days later they found our Magic Flute CD and started "playing" it. Even the boys! They play Magic Flute almost everyday now. I guess it doesn't have to be perfect. They just have to be exposed to it!

[Brenoi]

As for the math question - It really depends whose definition of unschooling you are following (one of the major problems with the term). For some you would wait until the child approached you as the previous person wrote, for some you work with the child in life - and there is math everywhere - trust me - from groceries to laying tile, for some they introduce topics and see where their child takes it from their. Others who call themselves unschoolers even follow a curriculum (which based on my understanding of the term would be outside the relm of unschooling but if it is what works for them then that is great NOT the definition of it).

What ever works is the right way - I think

[Dar]

I think it's a misunderstanding of unschooling to think that unschoolers have to wait until their children specifically ask to be taught something. I don't know any unschoolers IRL who work like that, anyway. Deciding that my child is at an age when she should be learning about fractions so I'l start pointing out fractions in our everyday life isn't within my definition of unschooling, either. I think one of the most important things about unschooling, often overlooked, is that it's often a give and take, an interaction.

I point out patterns that interest me, games or mathematical oddities, or quicker ways to do calculations that Rain is working on - things that catch my interest or that I think might interest her. Sometimes she's interested, sometimes she isn't. If she is, we might go further, pull out paper and pencil, or just talk. If not, that's okay, too. The point isn't to introduce her to fractions, it's to share a piece of the world that I found interesting or useful.

Dar

[ekblad9]

Dar - Can you homeschool my kids for me?

[Dar]

Oh, man. Today I was ready to send mine to anyone who would take her, including our local public school...

I don't deal well with snotty. I'm hoping it's a short-term thing. Cross your fingers for me...

Dar

[Alegria]

how old is s/he Dar? What did the darling say?

[Dar]

She's 11. And it's not so much what she says, it's the way she says it - the "fine!" or "Well I wish you had told me that before!"... and I'm feeling a bit put-upon with all of her on-stage obligations lately, and would like a little appreciation and consideration... and I don't feel like I'm getting any.

I'm sure it will blow over... well, almost sure.

Dar

[hazeldust]

wow! didnt mean to leave you all hanging...im touched...

i dont really have a specific question, i guess im just scared that i wont do a good job. i have a lot of trouble having faith in my abilities which is weird because i think of my self as an optimist, though i am learning that things are not always what they seem, just because i think of something one way doesnt mean that is the waay it is...but back to the issue at hand... basically, we were going to send gaby to the montessi charter school, but i am so much more drawn to waldorf style of schooling. i mean ideally, that is what i want for my kids, so the registration for montessori has come and gone and we are decided. the problem that i see with waldorf is that my kids have already been exposed to so much that is not waldorf(tv for instance, pop culture) that im not really sure how to bring into our lives
i just feel like our life right now is not very child centered, we do not have a routine , not one that we are satisfied with, and i dont know what to do next. plus their father and i are separated which could make things so complicated. (right now i only work one day a week outside of the home, but i will need something more before long) sometimes there is a great gap between what i want to do and i feel i am capable of. so maybe i just need some encouragement or some advice as to where to start when it comes to beginning to unschool. i have read john holt and love his books. oh and i really need some patience, anybody know where i could find some?

[anythingelse]

Have you thought about doing some physical activity like swimming, dance, yoga, biking, or even meditating? That does help build your patience level by releasing stress and the good feeling you get from exersize helps you (okay I mean me really) build a bit of self confidence about the day. Makes me feel healthy and powerful.
I think it is okay that I turn inward to meet my needs - keep that self of worth and esteem high and then turn the day's events to meet the kids needs with the good vibes I get from satisfying my own needs. Good-grief does that make any sense, it is late, I guess I need to sleep LOL

I think it is more about having the self confidence to trust yourself to meet your children's needs, you are a good mama, a thinking ??? kinda mama then which path to take academically. If you take the time to meet other single moms homeschooling & surround yourself with postive people- you may find you can take heart in that choice, you could look for an older mentor mom to show you how to go it. I think unschooling could be a very good choice for you and your children.
read read read and get out to meet other waldorf parents and unschooling moms near you

and a gigantical extra-large sized (((((HUG))))))) to you

[Attila the Honey]

Wow, what a coincidence, Hazeldust. I was just in here asking for homeschooling advice as well ...

My thread on homeschooling

I know we are both in the same town, so if I can help in any way let me know. I'd be great to share what we've learned about uns/hs in our area!