tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313594.post4280832771522684549..comments2023-11-03T01:24:37.142-07:00Comments on Militant Ginger: Does America need to get smarter?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313594.post-57369765691623793452009-10-16T18:29:16.674-07:002009-10-16T18:29:16.674-07:00I'd be honored if you'd do a guest post ab...I'd be honored if you'd do a guest post about it - shoot me an email!Roland Hulmehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08979437320446956987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313594.post-55967283510802461562009-10-16T18:24:13.865-07:002009-10-16T18:24:13.865-07:00You should let me write a guest blog (since I don&...You should let me write a guest blog (since I don't have a personal one any longer) on schools. Being a parent of five, I think I qualify :-)<br /><br />But this is actually one BO proposal I support. Our children are getting stupider every year...ckhttp://www.ocdprogrammer.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313594.post-61499702085709603832009-10-15T19:48:29.058-07:002009-10-15T19:48:29.058-07:00National math test scores continue to be disappoin...National math test scores continue to be disappointing. This poor trend persists in spite of new texts, standardized tests with attached implied threats, or laptops in the class. At some point, maybe we should admit that math, as it is taught currently and in the recent past, seems irrelevant to a large percentage of grade school kids.<br /><br />Why blame a sixth grade student or teacher trapped by meaningless lessons? Teachers are frustrated. Students check out.<br /><br />The missing element is reality. Instead of insisting that students learn another sixteen formulae, we need to involve them in tangible life projects. And the task must be interesting.<br /><br />A Trip To The Number Yard is a math book focusing on the building of a bungalow. Odd numbered chapters cover the phases of the project: lot layout, foundation, framing, all the way through until the trim out. The even numbered chapters introduce the math needed for the next stage of building and/or reviews the previous lessons.<br /><br />This type of project-oriented math engages kids. It is fun. They have a reason to learn the math they may have ignored in the standard lecture format of a class room.<br /><br />If we really want kids to learn math and to have the lessons be valuable, we need to change the mode of teaching. Our kids can master the math that most adults need. We can’t continue to have class rooms full of math drudges. Instead, we need to clandestinely teach them math via real life projects.<br /><br />Alan Cook<br />info@thenumberyard.com<br />www.thenumberyard.comAlan Cookhttp://www.thenumberyard.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313594.post-40090839768226517712009-10-13T18:07:49.100-07:002009-10-13T18:07:49.100-07:00Thank you. I just happen to feel that the majorit...Thank you. I just happen to feel that the majority of PARENTS have their children's best interests at heart. More than a faceless government entity. <br /><br />I appreciate your stance and for your willingness to hear another point of view and adjust your position.Susannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03115294023069458287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313594.post-28209748898673805862009-10-13T06:54:20.256-07:002009-10-13T06:54:20.256-07:00Hi Susanne!
Homeschooling is a really interesting...Hi Susanne!<br /><br />Homeschooling is a really interesting topic and one I've discussed here. When I came to America, I was TOTALLY against it for a variety of reasons - but talking to other people (most notably Coffee Bean) made me reconsider my preconceptions about it - and statistics proving that homeschooled kids do better with tests is compelling evidence to support it.<br /><br />As I have developed my love and understanding of American society, I've also come to the conclusion that home schooling is an essential liberty all parents should have the right to exercise. I might not agree with everything they teach and it might not be a choice I'd want to make for my own kids, but from an objective understanding of what makes America tick, I can see that it's one of the most clear rights a parent has.<br /><br />The problem with both liberals and conservatives is that they pick and choose the parts of the constitution they like. I try not to do that (I can't say I always succeed) so even though I don't favor it, I stand by a parent's right to home school because if I don't support that constitutional right, how can I ask other people to support the constitutional rights that are important to me?Roland Hulmehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08979437320446956987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313594.post-49111040144014457092009-10-12T17:08:39.705-07:002009-10-12T17:08:39.705-07:00What's wrong with parents teaching their own c...What's wrong with parents teaching their own children? Do you not think you have your son's best interests at heart more than a faceless state-run school system? You teach your little guy right and wrong and don't expect the government to do that..I HOPE. So it's fine for others in America to do the same. If you want your child to be brought up by the government because you think the government cares more for him, fine. But not all of us believe this way.Susannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03115294023069458287noreply@blogger.com