Any Unschoolers here?

[MistyAnn]

I was thinking of going the unschooling way for my kids. I want to have a cirriculum for Math and Language Arts. What is a normal day of "school" for you? My my biggest concern with unschooling is that they won't be learning what they need to. Thank you for any help.
In Christ,
Melissa
P.S By the way my boys are 11 and 13 years old, in 6th and 8th grade.

[Psalms18_28]

I think the Lord wants us to train our kids in a orderly and decent way. And train them the way they should go. I am not sure if unschooling would be a good idea or not.

1Co 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

[HappyChristian]

MistyAnn, I homeschooled my son up through 5th grade and loved every minute of it. I knew some people that unschooled and so I kind of looked into it. I personally think it's got some allure, but I don't think the benefits outweigh actual homeschooling. The idea that a child shouldn't read until he/she wants to (Dr. Moore was a proponent of that idea, and unschoolers usually like what he said) is wrong. An example was given of a child that didn't show any interest in books until he was 12, and then he began reading. Sorry, but that is just too laid back! Think of all the books that child missed out on. Think of all the Bible he could have been reading!!! Obviously you are aware of that, since you want to use Language Arts and Math curricula. And another thing to know is that unschooling was popularized by an unsaved man (John Holt). Not that the unsaved can't have any good ideas, but I do think he misses out on the principle that was mentioned - decency and order.

If you were to combine elements of unschool with homeschool, I personally think that would be a better thing. Keep structure intact, because kids need it, but be aware that you can be flexible if something interesting comes up...

Does that make any sense? I don't want to discourage you, just wanted to give an opinion of what I observed.

[Bakershalfdozen]

You also have to abide by the laws of your state. In NC where I live, I have to teach at least the minimum requirement of subjects and have at least the minimum requirement of days of instruction.

I've never heard of "unschool", but it doesn't sound like a good idea at all.

[Bakershalfdozen]

OOOKKKAAAYYY! I just googled "unschooling". Child-directed anything is usually a bad idea.

If I let my kids eat only what they wanted, clean only what they wanted, study/read only what they wanted, they would be some sorry people.

A normal homeschooling day for us looks like this:

7:00 am - rise & shine
7:30 am - breakfast
8:00 am - Bible time
8:30 am - Language studies for the 4th grader (Grammer, Spelling, Reading)
9:30 am - 15 minute break for 4th grader
9:30 am - Letters and Sounds for the Kindergartener
9:45 am - History (4th grade)
10:15 am - Science (4th grade)
10:45 am - 15 minute break (4th grade)
10:45 am - Numbers & Math (Kindergarten)
11:00 am - Math (4th grade)
11:30 am - Penmanship and independent work, i.e. homework (4th grade

I use the Abeka curriculum. My children are learning everything they need and I'm finished by noon and. Its great! :thumb

[John81]

"Unschooling" is rather a broad category and can mean anything from a parent setting a few "musts", such as math, while allowing the student to choose the other courses of study; all the way to the parent just telling their child to do whatever they want.

For a motivated child, some aspects of unschooling can be good. If the child is willing and able to pursue specific areas of interest and actually learn and grow in these areas, that's great. Not all children can or will do that.

Most homeschool curriculums are designed with the idea the student might go to college. Because of this, and the fact my oldest son isn't inclined in that manner, we may do more career or life-type studies as he gets into "high school".

Whatever method you choose, if you make sure your children are learning and not just reading comic books or "studying" video games, it can work.

Our children are not suited for unschooling. They need the expected material before them and the routine of doing their coursework as presented to them.

There are some who have excelled using unschooling and are now successful adults.

If you are really unfamiliar with unschooling, I would suggest you read up on it and learn about the various aspects of it.

[Danny Carlton]

I understand the concept of unschooling and understand that it must include...

A. The requirement that the child must be doing something educational and
B. Takes a whole lote more work on the parent's part that regular homeschooling.

The idea is that within the confines of educational, the child will pursue the subject they want, thereby providing an additional motivation. But it is inevitable that as they pursue one subject, they'll find they must then master another subject. That's the way all learning eventually works. Because they are motivated by their own interests, rather than being pushed by others, they can more consistently work to achive the goals they sert for themselves.

But, as I said, it takes a lot more work on the parent's part. We tried it with one of our kids, but found that it was too easy for him to goof off, rather than stick with what he had claimed he wanted to do. I can see, thoug, how it can be effective with the right attention and dedication on the part of the parent.

[qwerty guy]

Please don't discount what I'm about to say, for I speak of human nature and how to crate your ultimate goal: A Godly man or woman who will either devote 100% to the lord or make a good husband or wife while serving the Lord:

If not pushed, no one advances
If not challenged, no one will meet the challenge

Of all the people I have ever met, I'd give 1% of them to the group of self motivated non-lazy self starting independent peoples. The other 99%, must be pushed, challenged, and shown what they are capable of.

No one... NO ONE, likes hard work, but this is a fact of life in this sin cursed world, and children will very easily take over control of the house if allowed so that they can watch barney any time they want.

Most (LISTEN YOU NIT PICKERS I SAID MOST AND IT'S RIGHT SO JUST ACCEPT FACT CUZ I KNOW WHAT I'M ABOUT TO SAY IS GOING TO GET A WHOLE LOAD OF "Well, MY child" AND THAT'S GREAT BUT DEAL IN REALITY) anyway, as I was saying MOST children from 1 year old until 10-13 want to test borders and try and be in control and don't have an understanding of the feeling of others including parents. Oh MAN does it cause heart pain to punish a child via spanking, time outs, refusing a treat, what ever, but if you give a child all it wants, all it will want is fleshly desires. A young child (NOT ALL YOU NIT PICKERS) needs at least a small degree of failing if for only to teach them humbleness and/or work ethic. Above that a child must learn how much a parent loves them even if it mean being in subjection.

God doesn't come to us on our terms, and as His example of our Father, you don't allow the child to make you come to them on their terms. You set out a realistic yet challenging goal for them to achieve, and give them the tools to reach it. If they fall short, it must be set up that they fall short because they did not commit, and not because the curriculum is above them or the commitment of the teachers (parents) is lacking.

People are not spiritual by saying NO to public school. I know home schooled and even Christian schooled kids who would be better off dealing with worldly teachings and gun yielding classmates then the screwed up "do as I say not as I do" parenting they must deal with. They are taught that Christianity is just a show and end up becoming snakes among the sheep drawing others into lives of sin.

In teaching any child, you need to decide what the goals are... good husband or wife? Good servant of the Lord? Balding accountant? The outcome determines the means, and you're not doing your child any favors by allowing for them to fall short.

This of course, falls on the shoulders of the parents. More then half of the "homeschool" parents I meet, I talk to the kids and I wish a curse upon them for the sickness they have passed upon the next generation. About 40% though, commit more time to the child then they do their own life, and these children are a shining beacon of what a person can become.

The question you must ask yourself, in a seriously realistic view, is: "ARE YOU ABLE?" Seriously? Are you able to do as you want or do you have too many "My shows!" On T.V.? Do you love your kids too much to give them a spank on the butt when they hit you? Are you NUTS that they can do that without learning it's UNACCEPTABLE? Trust me, if the kid hits the mommy without care, then they grow up to scoff the fear of the Lord.

I'm in NO WAY SAYING YOU'RE DUMB OR DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING. I'm only pointing out the reality that so many ignore.... If high school kicked your hinder, then maybe you shouldn't be teaching high school to your kids.

If you already have a life of sacrifice, if you're willing to do what it takes, no matter what. If you're ready to take years of your kids hating you, just so they grow up into the man/woman they need to be... if you can sacrifice your heart for the betterment of strangers (the people your child will influence) Then maybe you're ready to try something so hard.

But allowing the child to determine when they are ready.. the trick is to get them to think they want to learn it... then blast so much into their head before they know what happened that they learned without knowing it.

I'll be honest, I've studied this for years... I'll never be a father because I study everything to death and I weep when thinking of becoming a father because I can't reach the perfection I require for bringing a life into this world. I've looked at schooling though, including "non-schooling" and although you could get a great pay off, it's a wimpy "i never want them to cry" "I hope I can trick them" way of teaching....

It's always a struggle in wanting the child to always be happy, yet preparing them for the real world. Before you choose the foundation for your child's entire life, make sure you seriously examine yourself, your abilities, and the betterment of the child for where you want them to end up. I'd rather a child end up a 6 pack a day construction worker with a wife and 2 kids because of public school, then a homeless crack addict murderer because someone thought "public school is out and I'm holy for saying NO but I got better thing to do them make them do math" type education.

Again, I'm in NO way saying you're the bad type... I"m just pointing out the bad to give a reality check. In the learning of a child, it's the outcome that matters, the man or woman they will become. It's the parents duty to sacrifice to produce that outcome. IF you say you're smart enough, wise enough, and prepared enough to "non-school' your child, then I wish you best of work in the Lord. If it must be homeschooling, do it will the Lords blessing. But it's better for a child to be in public school then home schooled under a parent that has given up.

I hope my critical arguments and descriptions help you in making up your mind in the best path for your child. The simple fact you asked shows you hold the concerns for your child above your own pride and that's wonderful.

God Bless

[MistyAnn]

I want to thank everyone who responded to my topic. I didn't mean to upset anyone, I kind of feel like I did. I was just wondering if there was anyone who has tried it. My kids are the more hands on type when it comes to learning, but they're ok with text books and worksheets. I just like to find different ways of teaching, to mix things up a little, so they don't get bored. I want them to love learning, to see "school" as something that can be alot of fun.

[John81]

We do hands on work too. Of course, we consider many "regular" activities to be learning events. Today, much of that would be called "life experience" sort of things.

This would include gardening; tending to the yard, basic home or auto maintenance, taking care of ones own laundry, helping with meals, etc.

We also do science projects and play games that involve learning some skills (as most games do; whether chess, checkers or parcheesi).

[qwerty guy]

I had a conversation with a 5 year old once about the pheromones that bees use to communicate. He knew more then I did, and I've studied the topic. Noticing my blazing eyes of shock/awe/impressed, she explained she home schools them, and takes every topic as far as it can go just making it relate to their minds so they can understand. A child understands things that stink, and so the bridge was made for taking the kids from ouchy stingers to pheromones.

I like what I hear in hands on teaching, because nothing makes someone not care about a topic then not knowing if they ever need it. I didn't care about math until I realized the power in breaking down real life scenarios into predictable mathematical equations. Busy work made me keep a .02 gpa.. realizing I could take what I know of history and math and use it to influence the things in my life caused me to pass. ( I still only held a gpa of about 2.7 because I refused to do needless homework, and mind you, I wasn't christian nor in a christian school)

I love experiments, as well as intergrating a basic understanding of the world around us into them. I almost killed myself when I was 17 when I caused a bolt of lightning to hit about 100 yards from me. (all you need is a model rocket with 2 stage D engines, and 70lbs fishing line (it's metal) and a whole lot of stupidity mixed with some low clouds) lol.

I'm not a no-public school guy, there are public schools still out there that are still able to give an education that won't ruin the child that is getting Christian supplements. They are rare though, and getting rarer. At the same time though, many "christian" schools are just as bad.

This is my only hold back, and to explain the last post, on homeschooling: I see so many parents who "homeschool" because it's the "spirtual" thing to do and they harm their kids so heavily it is almost a crime. From your posts, I don't think you're this type, you want truly what's best for you kids and are willing to put in the work to do it, well AMEN!

Nothing beats a home schooled child that shows what a true christian life can produce. God bless in your efforts.