Unschoolers...some questions

[mamamoo]

So I have a 6.5 yr old, a five yr old, a 21 month old, and new baby due in Dec. We have called ourselves unschoolers up until now, though my ds "tried out" public school for 2 months last year. I lean definately towards no cirriculum, but would love to buy the oak meadow one just to have around for some fun ideas...but it's so expensive. What do you all do when your dc asks for things to do, activity wise? Also what do you do when your child *wants* to be in school? Do you think it's because their friends go, or because I am not doing enough with them at home. There is a neat homeschooling program here through the school district, but they would be considered full time public schoolers even though they would only attend a few classes(they offer things like art, Karate, sewing, math games, computers)for a total of 5 hours a week, and I am uncomfortable with that but am feeling the pressure from family to "do" something with them. And the kids want to go very badly. Should we just try it out? I think the whole reason I am hsing is to follow my children's cues, but I don't want them in the school system if it is just so they will "fit it". The other bonus to the hschooling program is that they offer classes we wouldn't be able to afford to offer the kids otherwise.
So any opinions, experience, ideas?
Thanks mamas!
Debi

[boysrus]

Hi again I am the queen of homeschooling by the bootstraps!! Check out www.perpetualpreschol.com They have a lot of really cool themes, circle time songs, crafts, snacks, all on a theme. I have used them for my kids and they ar the same ages as yours but they're all a year older(and no more one the way )My 5 yo wanted to "do school" we talked a lot about what he wanted. We talked about some of the disadvantages of going to school. We also "do school" I make their lunches, put them in lunch boxes, we set them aside, then hae circle time with a few songs(n our theme), a craft and some worksheets. You cn print worksheets for free from tons of places. Just google "free math worksheets" or "free thanksgiving worksheets" or whatever you are looking for. Also, if you have a Dollar Tree nearby, they have tons of great workbooks for kids for a buck a piece. After we do worksheets, we have our lunch, then we have RECESS! Sometimes we go to the park for recess, all the while reminding them that kids in school would not be able to go to the park for recess. I even found a place online to print up hall and library passes, and when my ds was really wanting school, I gave him "passes" to go to the bathroom. I had a friend over one day and had her ask to see it as he was passing by(she was hall monitor, you understand!) SO, just have fun with it. RIde the city bus to get that our of their system. Join the HS group to participate in field trips.
I would also recommend the Y. They offer scholarships if you need them. they offer such great programs that it does a lot to fill the gap that kids might feel

[UnschoolnMa]

Mine attended a little bit of the early grades, so by the time we got to unschooling they had that totally out of their systems and were ready to get home. We are participating in a program for homeschoolers/unschoolers through the school district. It is all free, and we can take classes, and go on field trips. They also pay online class tuition and participation fees for places around our town like the Art Station, and the Science Center. The level of involvement is totally up to each family (which is the only reason we do it) I think those kinds of things are fine if the kid is interested. It's still unschooling if it's the child's decision, and it isn't being forced onto them.

I know how hard it is to feel pressure from family members who just do not get it. Be strong and hang in there! Kristi

[Openskyheart]

Hi Debi,

My kids attend a program like the one you described. They both enjoy it very much, and want to continue. Personally, it doesn't matter to me whether they are in the program or not - it is 100% their choice.

This is how we have decided to make educational decisions: Give our kids all the information, and let them decide. Of course, we only came to this philosophy after they had already been in school - so they both know what they are and are not missing, and they both chose homeschooling on their own.

As far as the program goes - ours is unusual in that we do not have to follow a curriculum, or participate in standardized testing. If we did have to follow a particular curriculum, and do standardized testing, we would probably not be participating in the program. Of course, ultimately the decision would be up to the kids themselves. There is some paper work involved for me - not to mention some creative thinking as I put their every day activities into "education-speak" (AKA educationese - :LOL), and come up with samples to put in their portfolio. So far, so good. We take it as it comes, and I'm not sweating it if we look "flaky" to others by moving in and out of programs, schools, etc. anymore.

It's all O.K.

Laura

[mamamoo]

Thanks mamas. I think the flakiness thing is what is getting to me. LOL I already feel flaky, but then we tried the homeschooling program last year for a month, then I had Alex in public kindergarden for 2 months(NEVER AGAIN....I hope, he was the one who wanted to go), and now we are talking of signing up with the homeschooling program again. LOL It is stressful knowing what others are thinking of me, and I know they think I am not "fit" to give my children the best education possible, because I look so flaky doing all these different trial periods. But really I am just trying to find the fit that is best for my kids, if that mean trying and retrying things a million times, I will do it.
I am also an unschooler at heart and cringe at the label the public school system with have for us as public schoolers, just because they are in the system for 5 hours a week. We won't even be counted as homeschoolers, not that the label should matter, but I don't want the public school system taking credit for their education...ack this is coming out wrong. LOL I am afraid that because a lot of people are taking advantage of the ps systems homeschooling programs that public school rating will go up because the kids are thriving. At our ps program the parents have to stay on campus and there is 100% parent involvement, of course they are going to thrive, not to mention most of the learning is going on out of the school. Grrr...I am just frustrated I guess, about the labels, and the federal funding. I really, really just want to do what is best for my kids, so I guess we will be signing up next week for the hsing program, because it's their choice. LOL
Thanks for the help mamas!
Debi