Becky
Becky is the unschooling mother of three (Janey, 11, Macy, 9 and Charley, 6) attempting to raise her children with compassion and respect. She taught elementary school for 9 years before discovering unschooling when it was time for her oldest to go to Kindergarten. She credits Sandra Dodd, Mary Griffith, Jan Hunt, and just about every other person she interacted with at her first HSC Home=Education conference 6 years ago, as her inspiration to find a more natural way of living and learning with children. She is a Homeschooling Consultant, offering support and guidance to families looking to clarify their vision as a family of learners. You can read more of what Becky has to say at http://lifewithoutschool.blogspot.com She can be reached at homeschoolconsultant@gmailcom.
I am the unschooling, single mother of three children ages 11, 9, and 6. I work from home for two small, internet based businesses, and I tutor other homeschooled children a few hours a week. My life hasn’t always looked like this. In my former life, I was an elementary school teacher, but happily retired when I discovered the joys of unschooling....
I knew this Summer Theater Conservatory was going to challenge me. The director was clear from the initial audition that it would be intense ...
Flat Isabella arrived in the mail last Wednesday. She fits in a manila envelope and doesn't take up much space, but truth be told, she's becoming a bit of a thorn in my side....
Taking Off the Training Wheels
When my son Charley was a little over 3 1/2, he woke up one day and told his dad it was time for the training wheels to come off. Minutes later, Charley was riding his 2 wheeler down the street. All by himself. No one taught him. No one told him it was time. He decided he was ready, and he did it, just like that. All by himself....
This afternoon I walked home from art class with my three children. It has been snowing steadily for several days and we took our time as we walked, chatting and stopping to take pictures of cool snow sculptures along the way. I asked the usual questions: How was class? Did you finish that project from last week? Who was there today? ...
Motivation: Reading for Pleasure (You Asked)
It's really hard for many people to believe that kids really will learn to read, and read well, if left to their own devices. Our system of educating children at school has taught us that kids need to learn to read by the end of First Grade. When I was teaching elementary school, I loved teaching 2nd and 3rd grade, because they came to me already reading....
Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike the Headless Chicken
I killed my first chicken today. Well, 141 chickens to be specific. Okay, I didn't actually kill any of them, Sam and Tom did most of the killing. But I scalded and plucked the majority of the 141 and even cut off the feet of a few. It was far less disgusting than I had imagined...really....
Unschooling as a Single Parent
I didn't begin my unschooling life as a single parent, but I became one three years ago. Prior to getting divorced, I didn't need to work. My kids' dad brought home a regular paycheck, and I got to be a full time, stay at home mom. As we moved through mediation, custody, and child support orders, it became clear that I was going to need to find a job....
My journey as a homeschooler began the spring before my oldest daughter Janey, now 11, was to begin Kindergarten. I had taught elementary school for nine years before she was born and while she was a toddler, and I couldn’t wait to be the world’s most helpful and competent Room Mother....
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