Unschooling

[Guest guest]

Hello Kat!

 

I will just in here and answer along with Denis and anyone else on the list

that may be unschoolers.

 

Unschooling is a form of homeschooling following the philosophy of child-led

learning. In our household we don't have a specific curriculum we follow.

We try to create an environment that stimulates learning and offers our kids

the opportunity to ask questions and get real answers. We do have workbooks

which we allow the kids to use, but they are not required. We find most of

their learning happens because they are naturally inquisitive. They want to

know how things work or want to be able to do things.

 

For example, we don't force our kids to learn how to read. Approximately 3

years ago, our oldest was tired of not being able to read. There were books

and stories he wanted to read. He wanted to read the signs on the road and

work on the computer. We had provided the foundation for him and he took

this foundation and tought himself to read in a couple days. At the time,

he was 2 " levels " behind in his reading ability. He is now at or above his

current " grade level " in reading. Just because he wanted to.

 

Another example. One of our kids asked how much money they would have to

earn in order to be able to have $100,000 after taxes. So, we introduced

the concept of variable and solving two equations with two unknowns. This

gave the foundation for variables which we used as the beginning for

algebra.

 

For us, the most important thing to remember is there is no " right " or

" wrong " way to do things. We just have to remember to answer the questions

the kids ask and then expand on those to give them answers to questions they

didn't know they had. It's a very scary, but exciting adventure.

 

 

---

 

Tim Winders

Associate Dean of Information Technology

South Plains College

Levelland, TX 79336

 

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_____

 

rawfood [rawfood ] On Behalf Of

Kat IntheHat

Friday, May 27, 2005 12:30 AM

rawfood

RE: [Raw Food] RE: [RawFoodChallenge] We are water-based creatures

(WAS: Diab...

Hi there Denise, My name is Kat and I'm trying to be

as raw as I can living over here in Venice Italy. It's

hard believe be!! I just read your response and was

really interested in what you wrote about

'unschooling'... I've never heard about that before

and I know it's way off topic but would you mind

telling me more about what it is? It sounds so

interesting! If you have the time that is, I know this

is a raw food forum and not a any topic you want

forum. : ) I'd really appreciate it. Thanks so much,

ciao

kat