Basic Homeschool/Unschooling information?

[Rhianna813]

Hello!

I am happy this forum was created. I have an almost 3 year old son and at first the idea of homeschooling seemed very intriguing. There is a largish homeschool population in our area which is comprised of Christian and Pagans mostly. There is also a place called Homesource which offers shared fieldtrips, book/material exchanges and educational materials.

I have also heard of Unschooling but would like more information about the basic concepts and first steps. How does this compare to Homeschooling and is it a black and white difference or more a gray area between the two?

For my family, well I am not sure what would be best. DH comes from a family of public school educators but his brother has been homeschooling his daughter for years. But their ways are pretty Christian fundamentalist and sadly my neice (who is now 15) is socially immature and very shy. But they live in the middle of nowhere and she does not have friends. I think I would chose to keep our son out of public schools because 1) he is very active and "kinetic" and I could easily see him being labeled as ADHD or the like. 2) I agree with the schooling article Radikalwoman shared. Public schools sorta scare me. 3) the idea that there is a learning style that could increase his natural love for learning and allow for endless paths of fun, interesting study is very exciting!

But frankly I am not sure we have our act together enough to take on this level of responsibility LOL I hate admitting this but it's true. Currently I am the breadwinner and DH is the SAHD. He talked alot about homeschooling but after 2.5 years of being home, he has not been able to arrange playdates, keep the house clean or understand the difference between another cheap plastic toy and something more imaginative. Sigh.

At this point I would like to understand the responsibility of Homeschool and Unschooling and perhaps share this info with DH. Maybe one style would jive with DH's parenting abilities. Or maybe I am misinformed about these learning styles and they are not as hard etc as I think they are. Or perhaps we need to just find an alternative or charter school instead.

Thanks for any weblinks, books or just personal experiences. I like to plan ahead and feel like kindergarten is right around the corner!

[Faol-chù]

I have also heard of Unschooling but would like more information about the basic concepts and first steps. How does this compare to Homeschooling and is it a black and white difference or more a gray area between the two?


"Unschooling", essentially, is, allowing your child to lead the way as to what he or she wants to learn...Theoretically, allowing the child to learn to BE interested in what he or she is learning. An interested child will get more out of what he or she is doing.

Here is a website which discusses it, from a radical unschooling POV...

http://sandradodd.com/unschooling

There are many shades of homeschooling...That can range from the radical unschooler, to the stringent, intense classical schooling style. There are also quite a few people who utilize both unschooling and more 'classical' models. I, myself, use set curriculums for math and English, particularly with my 12 y/o...but I 'unschool', largely for other subjects. That is, we do not use a text book for things like science and history, but we use other methods. For history, I largely encourage my children to follow their interests and check out things from the library. (Eventually, I will require my 12 y/o to write me a report or two...:)). For science, they read what they like. They are encouraged to experiment. We are also involved in a Nature Enthusiasts Club, in which we and others involved in the group meet out at the creek in the woods down the road. They use field guides to ID plants, animals, minerals, etc., and hopefully, they will soon be sharing their findings with each other. (This is a new club!) They are doing nature journals, taking pictures, drawing pictures, and a multitude of other things....But yet, it's definitely not a 'classical' model...:)
We have several radical unschoolers in our group...:)


At this point I would like to understand the responsibility of Homeschool and Unschooling and perhaps share this info with DH. Maybe one style would jive with DH's parenting abilities. Or maybe I am misinformed about these learning styles and they are not as hard etc as I think they are. Or perhaps we need to just find an alternative or charter school instead.

Lolol...The only drawback I could really see to your husband homeschooling is that at most homeschool functions, he is going to be overwhelmingly outnumbered by homeschool moms. He may feel like the 'odd man out'...or you may just get tired of him hanging around with all those women. (This is something my family could possibly be facing in the near future!)

Happy decision making!

Le meas,

[Ceres]

In the early years, I do no sit down schoolwork at all, but I am teaching all the time; it's just very subtle. Despite not doing pages of fill in the blank and other busywork type schoolwork, my kids have learned to read, do math and understand a lot about the world, from history to science to geography. Last year, i bought my daughter a comprehensive math book for her grade level (7 then) and she was able to do most of it without consulting me. She has requested one again this year, which I will get her.

Every week, we go to the library and I work with each child there to find books and magazines and movies about things that interest them. My daughter started asking for fiction books last year and reads constantly. because I often preread the books, we discuss them, but even I dont, she will tell me about ideas or places or philosophies she reads about and what she thinks about them. My boys are 6 and 10 and while the older one is nearly there, they mostly learn through play still. We have a lot of building toys, experimental toys and games so that what they spend their time on is helping them learn. I am not fond of "educational toys" such as Leap readers or press the button for answers type stuff. I prefer things that make them work out things they are thinking about through play.

Here is a great general book on homeschooling that describes many different philosophies. It is a bit older, so would likely be available at the library.

http://www.amazon.ca/Family-Matters-Homeschooling-Makes-Sense/dp/0156300001/sr=8-4/qid=1158108943/ref=sr_1_4/701-3665069-4706753?ie=UTF8&s=gateway

Also, a parenting book you might enjoy that talks about the importance of parents staying at the forefront of their child's life that supports homeschooling:

http://www.amazon.ca/Hold-Your-Kids-Parents-Matter/dp/0676974724/sr=8-1/qid=1158109077/ref=pd_ka_1/701-3665069-4706753?ie=UTF8&s=gateway

[ladyalpha]

I did a mix of both classical and unschooling. I do unschooling when I am suplimenting while the kids go to public school. Kids are always learning, even when you don't think they are.
I'm not sure yet what we are going to do with our 3 year old son. He seems to learn better from others that are not his parents. lol But, right now he is extremely wild and throughly enjoying his imagination. So we are fostering that area and letting the rest come as it comes. He just recently within the last 6 months or so started talking where you can understand most of what comes out of his mouth. But, he wanted to learn all the motor skills first and is intently focused when he is doing something that matters to him. So I'm not sure if public school will be a good fit with him. But, then again, we have another 3 years to grow and find out what would be best.
My hubby was not very good at the whole homeschooling thing. He backed it and agreed with it. But, although he said he would teach the girls math (it is not my strong suit) he ended up not doing anything and I could only be thankful that they were still doing math that I can grasp. lol So I would keep that in mind while making your decision. At least one parent must be willing/able to take the time to teach things.

I would also suggest checking, and keep track of, your state laws. Each state has their own requirements for homeschoolers. You can check that out at http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp

I used a Pagan "school" on line also to help with teaching my girls. My oldest had a teacher and they kept track of grades, and if I had had a problem with my state I was in, they would stand behind me. If your interested I can give that link also. It is still considered homeschooling and not charter or on line charter schooling, because while they give work for the subjects, it isn't inclusive. My girls went through the work for the year in way less time than allegally needed.
So I also made up my own things for them to learn. I taught both girls a lot of the same things. Such as we did science experiments together. And we did one that I later found out was high school level, but..lol
I had my oldest during her Titanic phase, learn how to research things on line. She read all the facts, then I had her watch the movie and write how they were different. So writing reports in public school is not a big deal for her..although she does tend to only give them what will be considered good enough. That didn't fly at home because I am strict. lol

I wish you luck and keep researching. Sometimes the requirements seem daunting..in WI I had to teach 875 hours a year..but they really aren't that hard to keep up with. And your very lucky to have groups in your area. Use them to get tips and ideas from. Networking is great, not only for you as a parent but for the kids too. Especially when doing so with other homeschoolers, because they will be more understanding when you just can't talk during certain hours because your teaching/learning something with your child.
ladyalpha

[Faol-chù]

Watch them!

http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp


I checked the laws for my state, and they are incomplete.

I also happen to know that, when there was a law change coming up for consideration, they released incorrect information about the what the law what have been, had it been approved.

It was vetoed that year, and submitted just last year, and finally approved then. But, again, HSLDA released the same incorrect information about it.

I suggest that to find information about the laws in your state, you plug in "homeschooling laws+yourstate" into Google. Look for a homeschooling support group in your state, and you will likely find a path to the law. You may also find it in your local library.

Le meas,

Faol-chù

[ladyalpha]

Oh I'm sorry then, I by no means meant to give information that was not accurate or helpful. I must have gotten lucky because they had accurate information for the state that I lived in previously.
I know when we moved down here to MO that I had no luck finding someone that would explain the laws in this state. I joined group after group and they were just not helpful, for what ever reason. But in Wisconsin it was different, people were open to answering any question someone had, whether they were a homeschooler or was just looking into it.

I agree with Faol and suggest talking to those in your area about what the laws are and how to go about fulfilling them. And if that doesn't work, search it out on line and compare it to other things you find. You can also call your department of education and ask them the laws. Don't call the local schools though, they either don't know or are not open to telling the facts, not sure exactly which.

Again, I apologize. I definitly don't want someone to get into any type of trouble by following inaccurate information.

[Faol-chù]

Oh I'm sorry then, I by no means meant to give information that was not accurate or helpful.

I don't think there was any need to apologize...(HUGS!!!)

You gave plenty of info that *was* helpful...:)

Le deagh gach dùrachd!

[Rhianna813]

Thanks for all the information so far. It's very helpful! I am learning so much by just reading about people's experiences and philosophies with homeschool, unschool and learning. Especially learning. I can see how easy it is to sink to the level of believing that learning only occurs for those who are school aged, between 8 am and 3 pm , Monday through Friday. And when you think like that it's easy to believe that "others" (ie: teachers, school board directors, etc) are responsible for everything your child learns and does, and to take no responsibility yourself. When you give away responsibility you also give away control.

The information I've been absorbing has changed my perspective of my child, a lot! I am now rethinking this whole past 2 years and instead of seeing a bunch of confusing struggles and "issues", I am now seeing how he was processing and growing and learning. This has caused me to lighten up LOL Sometimes I need a big reminder that if you just let nature take it's course things really do work out great. It's easy to want to control things too much, at least for me sometimes.

I brought up the Unschooling concept with DH who was not really familiar with it. But I do have a feeling we won't be doing any Homeschooling, at least during the early grade school years. Although I am drawn to the idea, we have some serious financial issues to contend with and we both know DH will need to go back to work. To me this makes it all the more important to understand learning and the concepts of unschooling. As well as the issues of entering the school system. I think I have a lot to learn about the industry it's become and how to see the obvious red flags. I really want to guide DS and our whole family in that direction, formal school or not. So I am going to continue to research and post and probably buy some books on the subject.

:abanana:

Rhianna

[lynn271]

...But I do have a feeling we won't be doing any Homeschooling, at least during the early grade school years.
Rhianna

I think that if you're going to homeschool/unschool at all, the early grade school years are the MOST important time. I tried sending my child to school for kindergarten and first grade "to see how it goes" and then I spent literally years helping her break the awful (not-)learning habits and attitudes she picked up there.

Of course, if you just can't do it, you just can't. Just...stay right on top of things. Be aware the teacher(s) may keep information from you, things you should know as a parent.

[Rhianna813]

I think that if you're going to homeschool/unschool at all, the early grade school years are the MOST important time. I tried sending my child to school for kindergarten and first grade "to see how it goes" and then I spent literally years helping her break the awful (not-)learning habits and attitudes she picked up there.

Of course, if you just can't do it, you just can't. Just...stay right on top of things. Be aware the teacher(s) may keep information from you, things you should know as a parent.

Well I am hoping my MIL will be a resource. She is a recently retired 4th grade teacher but she is also very progressive and alternative thinking. She now has a fung shui business. At the very least she could help us understand the inside stuff, the lingo and maybe some insider secrets. But I am also looking into the alternative schools in our area. There are the Montessori, Steiner/Waldorf and language immersion options.

There is also a school so completely close to our house we could walk there, that a friend of mine sends her daughter to. I looked at their website and WOW it looks like it incorporates some unschooling ideas. It's super small with only like 30 students allowed. 5-8 year olds are mixed in a class with only 12 kids max. 9-12 yr olds are mixed in a class with 15 allowed. No grading system and no one considered ahead or behind anyone else because you learn at your own rate. But of course there are always waiting lists to get in and they decide who gets picked based on "best fit" with the group. And it's a private school so it costs $$.

Anyway, it's very interesting to look into all these options. I am happy I am starting this now and not 2 weeks before he turns 5 LOL