some thoughts on unschooling...

unschooling is living and learning without school.

the concept of teaching a set, predetermined curricula, is a schooling mindset which may or may not work for educating the masses, however, in the home we have the unique opportunity to allow our children to follow their interests without encumbering them with rote learning that is geared toward classroom teaching.

By releasing ourselves, and our children, from the traditional classroom style of learning, we can allow them to grow and learn in a natural way from the environment, the enriched home and community, and the world.

So much of what children need to learn, they will learn when they need the knowledge for real life. You see this as an adult when you want to know more about something, like unschooling for example, you seek out information and experience on the subject you are curious to learn about. We all learn more quickly when we are learning something that is relevant to our lives, rather than something that a teacher says is important, or what is needed for a test. So the learner internalizes the information and uses it in their life, which makes sense and therefore is not quickly forgotten when the test, or class is over.

The problem is that we, as parents, don't trust that our children will learn all that society deems important for life in modern society. Therefore we put our trust in a system of education that we feel will do the job better than the natural curiosity of our child. If we can let go of these preconceived ideas of education and really let our children explore their natural curiosity, we will find that they are equipped to meet the challenges of modern society, and more. After all the great thinkers and artists of every age are the ones that think outside of the box, not the ones that depend on others to tell them what to think.

The girls have started their own buisness...

It all started as a brainstorming session in the car one day. Danielle said "What do you think would be a good career for me?" I said "you really should start your own business." then we started brainstorming ideas for a business and we came up with the idea for an upscale pet accessories and services business.

They have a web site,which of course is still under construction, but you can get an idea of what they have been doing. Check it out:

http://www.freewebs.com/couturepetz/index.htm

A Month of Poetry

So here's the challenge from Anna Kiss @ http://monthofpoetry.blogspot.com/

What's the idea here? Write a poem a day in February.

Are there rules? Not really. One poem per day and it has to be original.

When do I start? Midnight, February 1st. Not before.

When do I finish? 11:59 p.m. February 29th.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm not promising anything wonderful but thought I'd jump in and take the challenge.


Beyond The Veil

A shroud hinders my view
yet dimly I can see the reflection of moonlight on clear still water,
bathing the night in it's glow.
a chior of peepers can just be heard as I strain my ears to listen,
Heralding the birth of spring.

Beyond the veil is springtime,
newness,
birth,
second chances.

Beyond the veil the moonlight is clear,
and all of nature sings to new beginnings.

Beyond the veil I can see clearly,
but now,
I see only the veil.

Danielle's photography

Shadows
Heidi's covergirl pose
Joy's covergirl pose
flying scarf
Joy on the hamock with a cup of milk?

Halloween

Flapper Heidi & German Beer Girl Rachel

Rachel showing her true nature?

My girls flying away...

Rachel & Danielle posing for the camera

Danielle’s an equestrian

Rachel took Danielle to work with her today at the barn. it is a long day of feeding horses, cleaning stalls, grooming & turning out horses and assisting (or standing around watching) Rachel exercise horses and teach lessons. Anyway Danielle had a great time and worked hard. Rachel is "leasing" her mare to Danielle. Danielle says Rachel gave her the horse, but I think lease is a better term since Rachel just wants to pawn off the mare on Danielle for grooming and riding, but will maintain her for breeding purposes. But of course Danielle is on cloud nine!

well, I guess the picture isn't very clear and I couldn't figure out how to rotate it without making that worse. I'll have them take a better one tomorrow.