tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8482085.post1514846124628136421..comments2023-05-21T03:49:49.461-06:00Comments on The Savage Peanut: On educationJonathan Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003648392946638242noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8482085.post-54408193118618065582009-05-13T07:27:00.000-06:002009-05-13T07:27:00.000-06:00Hey, I thought I'd say my two cents worth on educa...Hey, I thought I'd say my two cents worth on education. We are actually very blessed to have our kids go to the school they're attending. It's incredibly well-ranked and the teachers are actually very good at paying attention to the levels that each individual child is at, plus, if need be, we can test the kids to get into an advanced learning program that emphasizes focusing on the details.<br /><br />Since watching Abby go through school for the last two years, I've developed some strong opinions on what education should and shouldn't be. If you ask parents what subjects should be taught, you'll get thousands of different answers. Everyone feels so differently on this as they should. I think ultimately, the purpose of school should be to teach children HOW to learn and simply use the subjects as tools to facilitate that ultimate goal. Think back to your college years. What was the point of taking some of those different classes? It certainly wasn't because we need to read Hamlet for the 400th time. It was because we need to learn how to think for ourselves outside the basic formats. Unfortunately, schools do need tests in order to determine whether they are accomplishing those specific tasks. But, ultimately, the tests these kids take are trying to find out if the kids can follow instructions. If someone can't follow a basic instruction, they're lost in this world. Or at least should rightfully be. <br /><br />If your child has an aptitude for something beyond the curriculum given at school, it becomes your responsibility as a parent to develop that talent in them. One thing I really respect about school is the theory that it takes a whole village to raise a child. If I'm the only one teaching my child, then they will only be exposed to my set of experiences, etc. By sending them to school, they're exposed to things I personally was never interested in. That allows them to discover beauty in their own way. <br /><br />Now, there are certainly times when homeschooling is appropriate. As I said, we are particularly blessed with a school that seems to fit our ideology on education. Not everyone is so lucky. Really pray about it and you'll find what's right. Heavenly Father wants these children to learn even more than we do -- if that even seems possible. And He knows what school will best help them.<br /><br />Good luck, guys! Hope to hear from you, soon!Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03049964968699726481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8482085.post-24344053630800853362009-05-12T20:50:00.000-06:002009-05-12T20:50:00.000-06:00sorry, I am younger than you, so I wasn't taught a...sorry, I am younger than you, so I wasn't taught any Latin.<br /><br />I have been learning how to deal with insurances, and you could easily make a course out of it.<br /><br />I just wanted to give examples of skills that could be taught instead of German fairy tales.<br /><br />vini vidi viciUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06252843876327692733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8482085.post-14340525563182172262009-05-12T19:14:00.000-06:002009-05-12T19:14:00.000-06:00Thanks for your post in regards to my blog post. ...Thanks for your post in regards to my blog post. The more I have substitute taught the more convinced I am that it would be best to home school when our kids come of age. I'm a little overwhelmed by what all this entails but Jeremy has a sister who has home taught all 6 of her kids and contrary to my previous experiences with home taught kids, all seem to be very well adjusted socially, which was my greatest concern other than the time and energy involved. <br /><br />I like the idea that it gives a lot more flexibility on real life applicable subjects. Basically if kids can pass the GED and get high scores on the college admission tests that is all colleges are looking for. We are thinking of going the same route as Jeremy's sister with our kids by letting them graduate from High School early as home schoolers and for the last two years of standardized High School have them go to a community college for the next two years. <br /><br />I just don't see any reason not to let kids go at their own pace rather than the school systems idea of where they should be at. Most students are far above that level and it results in behavior problems and bored children who are stuck torturing their parents with their busy work assignments that they get absolutely nothing out of. <br /><br />Thanks again for your insights on the subject. I now have a greater appreciation for what you and Rachel are going through trying to figure out the best educational plans for Matthew's and later Melissa's, Isaac's and subsequent baby Ellis's to follow.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07590702648035954672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8482085.post-7087030494338857892009-05-12T10:46:00.000-06:002009-05-12T10:46:00.000-06:00Now now, don't go all reductio ad absurdum on me. ...Now now, don't go all reductio ad absurdum on me. I never said I was against being able to sign your name. :P<br /><br />Insurance and taxes are 3 hour tutorials, not a subject unto themselves. (For the vast majority who don't want to be actuaries / accountants.) A broader category might be Entrepreneurship.Jonathan Ellishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11003648392946638242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8482085.post-28196000399776308602009-05-10T21:20:00.000-06:002009-05-10T21:20:00.000-06:00Interesting take.
I think much of what is taught ...Interesting take.<br /><br />I think much of what is taught is a waste of time...ie subjective studies.<br /><br />I would still go for learning basic tasks like penmanship and math. You still have to sign for packages:P<br /><br />I would also have classes in health care, or how to obtain and use insurance and on paying taxes.<br /><br />Classes that would actually prepare someone for reality and not make you into an ideological idiot.<br /><br />In short I would train the basics, stress skills, and leave some free time for exploration.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06252843876327692733noreply@blogger.com