"Unschooling"

[Christy]

I'm so glad you said something. I was about to chew my fingers off.

Crap, you captured my type. :

 

[baileydog]

I have to disagree with almost all of your posts. Being a parent we do teach our kids many things, but not all parents are properly suited and could deny students the full range of curriculum experiences and materials offered in a school environment.

I am sure there are success stories of home schooling but there are many stories illustrating not so much of a success and could deprive the child of important social experiences and/or isolate the child from other social/ethnic groups where the could learn even more and the child may miss out on some important emotional and social development. On top of some home school providers may not provide accurate diagnosis and planning for meeting the needs of children of special talents, learning difficulties and other conditions requiring out of the ordinary educational programs.


I know of a few friends that are trying the home school thing and at first the kids loved not having to get up and go to school, after a while they missed it. Meeting and socializing may not seem to be on the top of the educational need but it is essential tools that are applied though the child’s life. The kids also missed the stimulation of meeting challenges set out side the family by their teachers, and the extracurricular activities offered.

I will give you an example, a friend of mine comments every now and then about this woman she knows that decided to home school one of her many children. This woman did very poorly in school herself and did not graduate high school and also became pregnant at the age of 15. She could not hold down a job for long and once she had married that was it, she took the child out of school and decided to home school her.

The child is not doing well and in fact has fallen behind their friends that did stay in school. IMO, going to school and learning from your parents offer a more balanced education that would benefit the children more.

What make a high school prego dropout who cant hold a job think she can be a teacher. I cant understand why her child is doing so poorly.

 

[vraiblonde]

What make a high school prego dropout who cant hold a job think she can be a teacher. I cant understand why her child is doing so poorly.

 

[FromTexas]

Homeschooling is one thing - there is a set curriculum that parents follow.

Unschooling means your kid doesn't learn anything he's not interested in. Like reading. And math. And basic American history.

We're turning into a nation of "hiee how r u o no p911 brb c u 2nite lol" idiots.

r0xors!

 

[Nicole_in_somd]

Not to be rude, but WTF are you talking about? I don't happen to homeschool. However, I did extensive research in to homeschooling in the area. Southern Maryland has an enormous network of homeschoolers, with a hell of a lot to offer, so why don't you stop assuming and using stories of one person you know, and actually explore the facts? :shrug:

That is not what I said at all, and I was not rude at all. What makes you think I did not do that as well, just because I did not mention it?

I too, conducted research into the matter as my children will become school age very soon, as far as using one person that is only one example that I used but I do know of many more. I was giving my opinion in on the subject, period.

 

[Nicole_in_somd]

What make a high school prego dropout who cant hold a job think she can be a teacher. I cant understand why her child is doing so poorly.

My point exactly! But not the only one, I do know of many children that are being home schooled, some are doing very well but the majority that either I know or friends know just are not…I think it is the parents choice of whether to home school or not, but I am not for it. I would rather mine have the benefits of both. I would like for them to interact and participate in something outside of the home, and I am looking forward to picking up with them once they are home.

But that is just me.

 

[Sweet 16]

I have never been a big fan of homeschooling. Most of the times i have seen homeschool kids, they are on their own in the middle of the day playing outside unsupervised. Besides, i have to question the lack of socialization, and the huge adjustments that will be necessary when they get to highschool or the real world.

I actually know people like this. Homeschooling, if done right, is nothing like this. Everyone is on a schedule, there is structure, there are field trips -- just like REAL school, only at home. This "unschooling" nonsense was thought up by lazy parents and is downright scary!

 

[nitwhit3286]

I think children should be just as responsible as the parents in their education. If parents don't take an active role..the children aren't going to either. From a very young age children should be taught that you are not going to be successful if you don't do well academically. Thats why parents are parents...to be authoritative and accomadate (sp) to our childrens needs including education. I think it is somewhat wrong to homeschool children. Most homeschooled children (this is a statistic) don't do as well in jobs that require social interaction. If you think about it, homeschooled children have a dis-advantage in that regard. Its all in how the parent sees fit. If a parent believes in a private/public school or homeschooling then let it be. That is what makes up this country. Different people coming from different upbringings and different educational levels.

 

[Geek]

With the school shootings Home Schooling is looking like a real alternative. I have been spending a lot of time in the classroom this year and I am just loving how the kids are taught, what they are learning,and the progress they are making. Regular school is working for my kid right now

 

[Goobergrl6]

. This "unschooling" nonsense was thought up by lazy parents and is downright scary!

Actually it is the TOTALY opposite. Unschooling is about HELPING your child learn all they can/want to lear about a certain subject. It is NOT a bout sitting them in front of the TV while you go scratch yourself. It is about noticing your kids seems to really like airplanes. Then asking them if they would like to go to the Air and Space museam, look up how planes are made, check out some books on the Wright Brothers, get a model airplane to put together and see how it works, take them to the pax air museam, ect ect. That might turn into an interest abotu a certain war plane which would have you looking up stuff on WWII and learning about that which could turn into something else and on and on.

Socialization is a load of CRAP! You have to make a REAL EFFORT to not socialize your kids. Not only is there a HUGE homeschooling group here in SOMD but you socialize whereever you go. The bank, the grocery store, Target. EVERYWHERE. And instead of your kids "socializing" with 25 kids their same age day in and day out with homeschooling your kids can socialize with people form 1 week old to 100. People of all walks of life and all ages. They are much more tollerent of the people that are "different".

I will happil be UNSCHOOLING my kids! In fact I already consider myself an unschooler even though my kids are not "school age".

 

[Nicole_in_somd]

Actually it is the TOTALY opposite. Unschooling is about HELPING your child learn all they can/want to lear about a certain subject. It is NOT a bout sitting them in front of the TV while you go scratch yourself. It is about noticing your kids seems to really like airplanes. Then asking them if they would like to go to the Air and Space museam, look up how planes are made, check out some books on the Wright Brothers, get a model airplane to put together and see how it works, take them to the pax air museam, ect ect. That might turn into an interest abotu a certain war plane which would have you looking up stuff on WWII and learning about that which could turn into something else and on and on.

Socialization is a load of CRAP! You have to make a REAL EFFORT to not socialize your kids. Not only is there a HUGE homeschooling group here in SOMD but you socialize whereever you go. The bank, the grocery store, Target. EVERYWHERE. And instead of your kids "socializing" with 25 kids their same age day in and day out with homeschooling your kids can socialize with people form 1 week old to 100. People of all walks of life and all ages. They are much more tollerent of the people that are "different".

I will happil be UNSCHOOLING my kids! In fact I already consider myself an unschooler even though my kids are not "school age".

I am sorry I just do not agree with unschooling children, there are too many benefits to having a child attend school and I as a parent will not let school be the only learning resource open to my daughter. I also plan to teach her after school or during the weekends so she will receive a well balanced learning experience. What you said above can happen even with them attending regular school. There is no reason not to continue their learning after school hours.

Socializing in school to me means having peers their age not only there for socialization but for peer support as well. It also helps in team building skills and active participation as a group with support to independence.

While the government states that any individual may choose their own path as long as the end result is in sync with those of public education.

Attending public/private school can be an significant stage in a child life as it is responsible for many aspects of us as adults that may never change. In forgoing this experience, you may deprive yourself of a invaluable opportunity for growth and self-exploration.

but again that is just me, what you decide to do with your child(ren) is up to you.

 

[Goobergrl6]

I am sorry I just do not agree with unschooling children, there are too many benefits to having a child attend school and I as a parent will not let school be the only learning resource open to my daughter. I also plan to teach her after school or during the weekends so she will receive a well balanced learning experience. What you said above can happen even with them attending regular school. There is no reason not to continue their learning after school hours.

The problem is that A LOT of people believe their kids learning DOES end at the end of a school day. One of the main beliefes of unschoolers is that learning does not have to happen between the hours of 8 and 3. We are big into LIFE learning which a lot of schooled kids lack. Not at all saying ALL of them do. I never thought while I was growing up that I would homeschool my kids let alone unschool them. That was for the "weird" kids. However I now see how perfect it is for OUR family. I totally understand it is not for most people. I just wanted to show that unschooling is not letting your kids do nothing but stare at a wall all day.

Socializing in school to me means having peers their age not only there for socialization but for peer support as well. It also helps in team building skills and active participation as a group with support to independence.

Once again all this can be achieved in a homeschool environment. There are homeschool sports teams, field trips, clubs, ect. All the same things you would find ina traditional school setting.

Attending public/private school can be an significant stage in a child life as it is responsible for many aspects of us as adults that may never change. In forgoing this experience, you may deprive yourself of a invaluable opportunity for growth and self-exploration.

What better way for growth and self-exploration then to follow your passions? That is what unschooling is all about.

 

[Nicole_in_somd]

The problem is that A LOT of people believe their kids learning DOES end at the end of a school day. One of the main beliefes of unschoolers is that learning does not have to happen between the hours of 8 and 3. We are big into LIFE learning which a lot of schooled kids lack. Not at all saying ALL of them do. I never thought while I was growing up that I would homeschool my kids let alone unschool them. That was for the "weird" kids. However I now see how perfect it is for OUR family. I totally understand it is not for most people. I just wanted to show that unschooling is not letting your kids do nothing but stare at a wall all day.



Once again all this can be achieved in a homeschool environment. There are homeschool sports teams, field trips, clubs, ect. All the same things you would find ina traditional school setting.




What better way for growth and self-exploration then to follow your passions? That is what unschooling is all about.

I really liked this post, and I can see the benfits that you are listed...I still would like to incorporate the two, for Darby. I just know I had so gained so much going to school, friendships, memories, learning experiences, and so on. I suppose you can do that at home alone but I don't think it is the path for us.

 

[Cowgirl]

I have a great idea....

In order to socialize our home-schooled kids, let's meet with other kids so they can go on fieldtrips, play sports, clubs, etc. Hey, you know, while we're at it, we can all meet up for 'lessons' because it will be so much easier to teach....teach many kids instead of teaching just one. They can all be a big group of home schooled kids. Crap...wait. Isn't that just like public school?






Not trying to be a jerk...but that's what I thought about from all of the posts. How is it so different from public school then? Just by the person that's teaching the lesson? For my kids (when I actually have some) I'd rather it be a trained professional. JMHO

 

[Goobergrl6]

I have a great idea....

In order to socialize our home-schooled kids, let's meet with other kids so they can go on fieldtrips, play sports, clubs, etc. Hey, you know, while we're at it, we can all meet up for 'lessons' because it will be so much easier to teach....teach many kids instead of teaching just one. They can all be a big group of home schooled kids. Crap...wait. Isn't that just like public school?

Not trying to be a jerk...but that's what I thought about from all of the posts. How is it so different from public school then? Just by the person that's teaching the lesson? For my kids (when I actually have some) I'd rather it be a trained professional. JMHO

Well if you read all the posts you would see a lot of the focus was on unschooling which looks NOTHING like school at all.......
Even if you focus on homeschooling in genera; it lets you focus your child's edication based off of THEIR needs not some cookie cutter lessen plan for everyone. You go at YOUR child's pace and focus on their strength and weaknesses.

 

[Nicole_in_somd]

Well if you read all the posts you would see a lot of the focus was on unschooling which looks NOTHING like school at all.......
Even if you focus on homeschooling in genera; it lets you focus your child's edication based off of THEIR needs not some cookie cutter lessen plan for everyone. You go at YOUR child's pace and focus on their strength and weaknesses.

That sounds good on paper, but I still have some problems with that. Your child is important, but life is all about learning and sometimes conforming.

I don't know how to explain this right but you can tailor or protect your child but so much, then they will become adults and go into the mainstream of life. You do what you want, I am sticking to regular schools with additional schooling such as you mentioned in our own time.

Do you honestly think that these home-schooled parents are more qualified and diversely so that as an individual they can do the jobs of trained professional who have dedicated the lives to education and have years experience with multiple children?