Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Tuesday

Why do mosquito bites itch?
Hawaiian Islands
Cyborgs
Robots
Pictionary
Clue
Wallaby
Butterflies
Kangaroos
Rabbits
Tongue Twisters
Legos
PS2
WOW
TV
Internet
Store
Drawing
Lots of questions and talking

That's off the top of my head,
I have a hard time remembering everything. I normally wouldn't care but  need to  learn how to keep track of stuff when I start registering.

So I think that I will try to keep tab on things we learn about.

Unconscious Mutterings

  1. Bangs :: head
  2. Diaper :: bag
  3. Coffee table :: haven't had one in 14 years
  4. Cops ::  a plea
  5. Matches :: fire
  6. 250 :: 300
  7. Hurricane :: Earl
  8. Bad :: attitude
  9. Confirmation :: number
  10. Fiber :: flaxseed
Luna Nina

I used to play this every week, it can be fun, try it  :)

Monday, August 30, 2010

Enjoy Life Unschooling giveaway

Enjoy Life Unschooling is having their first giveaway.

There will be five winners.

The winners will receive an organic cotton (natural color) tote with the Enjoy Life Unschooling logo in Terracotta.

Check out the link, these totes look cool.

Good Luck!

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Saturday, August 28, 2010

OY!

I can only be so hopeful for change and then talk to someone who would never change. Some people will never shift, they like their box, they like the school model and live by it accordingly.

It is frustrating for me as I am speaking of my own father. I can't figure out why he thinks my kids won't be prepared for the future, the world is changing and school is the best preparation?

What?

My kids have an advantage because they are free to learn as they wish. I think they will be more ready for the world because they live in it. They aren't holed up in some little box all day being carroted around.

I think I made a new word...hee hee, I was referring to the carrot and stick...

I don't usually get into these discussions with people I know are unwavering. It happended though because my dad and I have a very strained relationship, it's more so now that I spoke up.

The truth is I'm glad we are not nearby so he can't constantly critique my children. I know that seems harsh but it's how I feel.

I usually let things he says roll, but I have to speak up now and again to defend myself.

I am not a complete idiot and I'm pretty confident that my kids are fine and will continue to grow and learn at their pace.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Changing the system

My husband asked me how would I start to implement change in the school system because in reality you can't just close schools.

Unfortunately not everyone will homeschool...

I think that first I would lift the compulsary attendance law or at the very least raise the age. People shouldn't be forced to send their child away to an institution at a young age. Children should be with their parents for as long as they can.

I would do away with grades. When people are learning, they shouldn't be graded on their process. When you learn it for real, you know it, you retain it. Real learning is an individual process and is disrupted by schooling, teaching, grading and testing.

I would also do away with standardized tests or any tests for that matter for the reason stated above.

If school was more interesting and less rigid about pushing grades and tests more kids would learn and more would enjoy being there.

My ideal if you will... is schools being  run more like libraries or community learning centers.

They will be there for people who can't or won't homeschool.

Not compulsary, if it's so great people will choose to attend.

Facilitators who love what they know and want to share their knowledge could host *classes*

People of all ages could pick and choose what they wanted.

I disagree with age segregation. Age has nothing to do with knowledge. Everyone is individual and should be able to learn at their pace.

The whole system is outdated and obsolete as a way of learning.

If our tax dollars are going to be spent on *education* we should make it productive and useful and even enjoyable.

All the lawmakers are doing is throwing money at those with high test scores and doing nothing to improve the quality of life for these kids.

I don't expect to see much *change* in the near future. Many people write daily on the woes of public schooling but nothing is being done to change it.

I believe that too many are ingrained that school is the way and it's hard to get them to shift their paradigm's.

Sure it's nice to think of ways that the kids who have to be there could be nourished and not depleted but I don't know how to go about that.

Just putting some thoughts down, wish I could remember everything I said to my husband. He was playing devil's advocate and asking me lots of questions.

Keeps me on my toes :)