Comments for Christian Unschooling http://christianunschooling.com Encouragement and resources for Christian unschooling, relaxed/eclectic home educating families--living in freedom in Christ. Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:00:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on nurturing readers by monica @ paper bridges http://christianunschooling.com/2009/12/11/nurturing-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-367 monica @ paper bridges Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:00:32 +0000 http://christianunschooling.com/?p=297#comment-367 wowsa. this post is HUGE. *grin* I'm saving on delicious to enjoy in smaller bites. the best thing I've done to encourage a love for reading is to let my girl take the lead... and if I may be bold... here is a post about her story: http://paperbridges.net/2009/10/02/watching-her-read/ monica wowsa. this post is HUGE. *grin* I’m saving on delicious to enjoy in smaller bites.

the best thing I’ve done to encourage a love for reading is to let my girl take the lead… and if I may be bold… here is a post about her story:

http://paperbridges.net/2009/10/02/watching-her-read/

monica

]]> Comment on nurturing readers by Heather http://christianunschooling.com/2009/12/11/nurturing-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-366 Heather Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:31:33 +0000 http://christianunschooling.com/?p=297#comment-366 So far we have liked all of the Harvest Moon games and are still playing Tree of Tranquility which I think is the best so far. Also forgot to mention the original My Sims-- you have to talk to everyone (no voice acting) AND it has a fun building things element. My Sims Kingdom is all right--the kids like it but I don't like that it railroads you a lot more than the first one which is much more open ended and gives you a lot of choices bot to mention missing my favorite part--the building things with blocks. So far we have liked all of the Harvest Moon games and are still playing Tree of Tranquility which I think is the best so far. Also forgot to mention the original My Sims– you have to talk to everyone (no voice acting) AND it has a fun building things element. My Sims Kingdom is all right–the kids like it but I don’t like that it railroads you a lot more than the first one which is much more open ended and gives you a lot of choices bot to mention missing my favorite part–the building things with blocks.

]]> Comment on nurturing readers by Beth Brewer http://christianunschooling.com/2009/12/11/nurturing-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-364 Beth Brewer Sat, 12 Dec 2009 04:44:24 +0000 http://christianunschooling.com/?p=297#comment-364 I did the same thing with Nathan in regards to math lessons, just STOPPED for a couple of years, since he was so hating any sort of academic approach. We didn't even use a program for most of his elementary years, but incoorperated a lot of real life learning of mathematical concepts over the years, and sporadically would work from Singapore and Developmental Math workbooks as he wanted to. Yet he was able to jump into Teaching Textbooks Math 6 with no trouble last year, while simultaneously mastering his math facts in a co-op class which he had so much fun with, and then this year he's gone straight into TT Pre-Algebra with no trouble (and even likes math now)! So, I know what you mean about backing off in an area as necessary! I did the same thing with Nathan in regards to math lessons, just STOPPED for a couple of years, since he was so hating any sort of academic approach. We didn’t even use a program for most of his elementary years, but incoorperated a lot of real life learning of mathematical concepts over the years, and sporadically would work from Singapore and Developmental Math workbooks as he wanted to. Yet he was able to jump into Teaching Textbooks Math 6 with no trouble last year, while simultaneously mastering his math facts in a co-op class which he had so much fun with, and then this year he’s gone straight into TT Pre-Algebra with no trouble (and even likes math now)! So, I know what you mean about backing off in an area as necessary!

]]> Comment on nurturing readers by Beth Brewer http://christianunschooling.com/2009/12/11/nurturing-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-363 Beth Brewer Sat, 12 Dec 2009 04:38:46 +0000 http://christianunschooling.com/?p=297#comment-363 Hi Heather! Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments and input... Well, in the way of clarifying, "forcing" would probably be a bit too harsh of a word for using in regards to what "required reading" has looked liked over the years around here, since by the time my kids were being "required" to do a bit of consistent practice in the way of reading, they were already used to the fact that their days would often include their having to do a few things they'd rather *not* do, like those monotonous chores that they help with... and so with minimal grumbling, they'd march off to their spots for "required reading time", which they actually loved and grew quite proud of. It was interesting to me just to see how much they enjoyed the familiarity of the routine once it was established. However, they had a very gentle start, and as I mentioned, I was careful to not require too much, wanting them to truly love reading good, quality literature. That first pic in this post was taken about two months into our beginning the *independent* reading routine. Yeah, don't they just look miserable! LOL And they'd often initially complain that I'd interrupted what they were doing, but always ended well with excited tellings of their stories. I'm pretty careful and prayerful in what I ask of them each day/week, books selected according to *them*, and always letting them set the pace (according to what I know they're capable of, not necessarily what they *want*, though I'm finding more and more that they appreciate being stretched, after the fact), watching for worthy opportunities to challenge them, which they've actually even thanked me for since. THAT has been the sweetest reward of all. Nathan even told me recently that he wishes I'd have required him to read-aloud to me more often?! LOL Anyways, this has just been our experience, and what a wonderful journey it's been! Nathan didn't read his first chapter book until he was 9... and then he just took off too shortly thereafter! Tabitha though, who also taught herself to read, has been reading chapter books since she was 6. They're each just such individuals, and that's the beauty of homeschooling, isn't it, that we can tune into our children, letting them progress at their own pace! Yes, spelling games are also one of my kids' favorite things! Tabitha is always begging me to "do spelling" with her, and so I bought her a spelling game to give her with her new DSi. :-) Thank you for the game suggestions, they sound great! Which Harvest Moon game would you suggest we get, I see that there's quite a few to choose from. Yes, I'd imagine most kids would get bored of video games eventually... however, my son has a teen-aged friend who is absolutely addicted to his xbox 360, to the point of concerning my own son, who's commented to us quite a few times of how he zones, and plays until the wee morning hours, and most of the day too. His parents haven't restricted his time on it, and he never seems to tire of it! We stayed with them the first month we'd moved here, and he spent most of his days in a dark room, gaming, totally ignoring people that enter the room to talk to him, just zoned... kinda scary, definitely out of balance there. That has been a real-life eye-opener for our son, since he says he'd never want to be like that, and I do hope that's the exception! Blessings~ Hi Heather! Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments and input… Well, in the way of clarifying, “forcing” would probably be a bit too harsh of a word for using in regards to what “required reading” has looked liked over the years around here, since by the time my kids were being “required” to do a bit of consistent practice in the way of reading, they were already used to the fact that their days would often include their having to do a few things they’d rather *not* do, like those monotonous chores that they help with… and so with minimal grumbling, they’d march off to their spots for “required reading time”, which they actually loved and grew quite proud of. It was interesting to me just to see how much they enjoyed the familiarity of the routine once it was established. However, they had a very gentle start, and as I mentioned, I was careful to not require too much, wanting them to truly love reading good, quality literature. That first pic in this post was taken about two months into our beginning the *independent* reading routine. Yeah, don’t they just look miserable! LOL And they’d often initially complain that I’d interrupted what they were doing, but always ended well with excited tellings of their stories. I’m pretty careful and prayerful in what I ask of them each day/week, books selected according to *them*, and always letting them set the pace (according to what I know they’re capable of, not necessarily what they *want*, though I’m finding more and more that they appreciate being stretched, after the fact), watching for worthy opportunities to challenge them, which they’ve actually even thanked me for since. THAT has been the sweetest reward of all. Nathan even told me recently that he wishes I’d have required him to read-aloud to me more often?! LOL

Anyways, this has just been our experience, and what a wonderful journey it’s been! Nathan didn’t read his first chapter book until he was 9… and then he just took off too shortly thereafter! Tabitha though, who also taught herself to read, has been reading chapter books since she was 6. They’re each just such individuals, and that’s the beauty of homeschooling, isn’t it, that we can tune into our children, letting them progress at their own pace!

Yes, spelling games are also one of my kids’ favorite things! Tabitha is always begging me to “do spelling” with her, and so I bought her a spelling game to give her with her new DSi. :-) Thank you for the game suggestions, they sound great! Which Harvest Moon game would you suggest we get, I see that there’s quite a few to choose from.

Yes, I’d imagine most kids would get bored of video games eventually… however, my son has a teen-aged friend who is absolutely addicted to his xbox 360, to the point of concerning my own son, who’s commented to us quite a few times of how he zones, and plays until the wee morning hours, and most of the day too. His parents haven’t restricted his time on it, and he never seems to tire of it! We stayed with them the first month we’d moved here, and he spent most of his days in a dark room, gaming, totally ignoring people that enter the room to talk to him, just zoned… kinda scary, definitely out of balance there. That has been a real-life eye-opener for our son, since he says he’d never want to be like that, and I do hope that’s the exception!
Blessings~

]]> Comment on nurturing readers by Heather http://christianunschooling.com/2009/12/11/nurturing-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-361 Heather Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:38:03 +0000 http://christianunschooling.com/?p=297#comment-361 And they do have to share the game, which means they have to budget their time on it, but just like anyone else they get bored with it and go do something else if they spend too much time doing it. And they do have to share the game, which means they have to budget their time on it, but just like anyone else they get bored with it and go do something else if they spend too much time doing it.

]]> Comment on nurturing readers by Heather http://christianunschooling.com/2009/12/11/nurturing-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-360 Heather Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:36:55 +0000 http://christianunschooling.com/?p=297#comment-360 I agree for the most part though forcing had a lot to do with my oldest refusing to even try most books and it wasn't until we STOPPED making them read and let them listen to all the audio books and play all the video games they wanted (Wii and Gamecube games don't usually talk aloud and require a ton of reading) that she started WANTING to read. In fact it was Animal Crossing that taught her to read. And the other two taught themselves to read. They had plenty of work books on hand (they call them activity books and they are in the bathroom and other places where they are likely to pick them up and do them but I don't require them) and we read aloud daily plus all the audio books and Issac's favorite games which mostly are Hooked on Phonics and various spelling games that he plays on his own. Not only are they both self taught (and both LOVE to spell things and often look up the spelling of things and write on their own) but both read younger than the oldest who I spent ages trying to force to learn. At 8 Issac is still not reading full chapter books on his own except occasionally aloud to me (he hates being read to) but he now plays Animal Crossing and other games that need to be read without our help and reads whatever he sees so I suspect it won't be long. If you are getting a Wii I heartily suggest both Harvest Moon and Animal Crossing as both require much reading as well as teach economics and Harvest Moon also teaches a lot about work ethic and taking care of a farm/doing chores. My kids know all their fish and many plants, dinosaurs, and insects as a result of these games. I agree for the most part though forcing had a lot to do with my oldest refusing to even try most books and it wasn’t until we STOPPED making them read and let them listen to all the audio books and play all the video games they wanted (Wii and Gamecube games don’t usually talk aloud and require a ton of reading) that she started WANTING to read. In fact it was Animal Crossing that taught her to read. And the other two taught themselves to read. They had plenty of work books on hand (they call them activity books and they are in the bathroom and other places where they are likely to pick them up and do them but I don’t require them) and we read aloud daily plus all the audio books and Issac’s favorite games which mostly are Hooked on Phonics and various spelling games that he plays on his own. Not only are they both self taught (and both LOVE to spell things and often look up the spelling of things and write on their own) but both read younger than the oldest who I spent ages trying to force to learn. At 8 Issac is still not reading full chapter books on his own except occasionally aloud to me (he hates being read to) but he now plays Animal Crossing and other games that need to be read without our help and reads whatever he sees so I suspect it won’t be long.

If you are getting a Wii I heartily suggest both Harvest Moon and Animal Crossing as both require much reading as well as teach economics and Harvest Moon also teaches a lot about work ethic and taking care of a farm/doing chores. My kids know all their fish and many plants, dinosaurs, and insects as a result of these games.

]]> Comment on Children’s Church Or Not? by Vanessa http://christianunschooling.com/2009/09/09/children%e2%80%99s-church-or-not/comment-page-1/#comment-351 Vanessa Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:37:14 +0000 http://christianunschooling.com/?p=285#comment-351 Thankyou! I'm happy to have found this website. This was very affirming to read. We are the only home schooling (now unschooling Mr 5 and Miss 4) family in our church. We have respected my son's wish to stay in church with us for the past year or two, and he only comes to Sunday School when I'm the rostered teacher. He always learns more by listening to the sermon and spiritual gifts, and enjoys having fellowship with others with us close by. Our friends have now accepted this as the norm, and others do likewise when they wish to. Miss 4 usually chooses to go with the other children ... she loves being with her friends and likes the stories, structure and craft. I'm glad to see SS as an option, not a requisite. Thankyou! I’m happy to have found this website.

This was very affirming to read. We are the only home schooling (now unschooling Mr 5 and Miss 4) family in our church. We have respected my son’s wish to stay in church with us for the past year or two, and he only comes to Sunday School when I’m the rostered teacher. He always learns more by listening to the sermon and spiritual gifts, and enjoys having fellowship with others with us close by. Our friends have now accepted this as the norm, and others do likewise when they wish to.

Miss 4 usually chooses to go with the other children … she loves being with her friends and likes the stories, structure and craft. I’m glad to see SS as an option, not a requisite.

]]> Comment on ABC’s of Homeschooling by Neely http://christianunschooling.com/2009/10/08/abcs-of-homeschooling/comment-page-1/#comment-350 Neely Sun, 25 Oct 2009 14:40:46 +0000 http://christianunschooling.com/?p=293#comment-350 Wonderful list! In my homeschooling group the parents were recently talking about how at least one time or another your child is going to whine about what they have to do. They are going to complain and you are going to have to make them do it. I sat there thinking how I never have to coerce them into anything. They are eager to learn and love the time spent with me. If they are not interested in what I am offering I put it away or do it myself :) I was smiling inside at the fact that NO my children are not made to do anything to do with their education. I look over as I type and my 6yo is making a tin can phone. Think I should be making her do some Math? Nah. I think she has it covered! :) Wonderful list!
In my homeschooling group the parents were recently talking about how at least one time or another your child is going to whine about what they have to do. They are going to complain and you are going to have to make them do it. I sat there thinking how I never have to coerce them into anything. They are eager to learn and love the time spent with me. If they are not interested in what I am offering I put it away or do it myself :) I was smiling inside at the fact that NO my children are not made to do anything to do with their education.
I look over as I type and my 6yo is making a tin can phone. Think I should be making her do some Math? Nah. I think she has it covered! :)

]]> Comment on ABC’s of Homeschooling by patricelondon http://christianunschooling.com/2009/10/08/abcs-of-homeschooling/comment-page-1/#comment-341 patricelondon Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:03:17 +0000 http://christianunschooling.com/?p=293#comment-341 I believe it's because they were all some variety of school at home types. I think I'd be burned out and depressed too if I homeschooled that way. I believe it’s because they were all some variety of school at home types. I think I’d be burned out and depressed too if I homeschooled that way.

]]> Comment on ABC’s of Homeschooling by Amanda http://christianunschooling.com/2009/10/08/abcs-of-homeschooling/comment-page-1/#comment-340 Amanda Sun, 11 Oct 2009 18:50:30 +0000 http://christianunschooling.com/?p=293#comment-340 Great list! But I'm surprised that there was so much negativity among the more experienced homeschooling moms. How discouraging that must have been for positive newbie mom! Great list! But I’m surprised that there was so much negativity among the more experienced homeschooling moms. How discouraging that must have been for positive newbie mom!

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