The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion
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Croissants, Coffee & Tea -- Part the Eighth
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MadgeUK
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Nov 22, 2012 12:06AM
Has anyone had experience of the Waldorf/Steiner schools in America? My son is now a Business Manager for one being set up in the UK under our new 'Free Schools' legislation.
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Denise wrote: "I thought that Hillary had announced some time ago that she had no intention of running for president again, but I may be remembering wrong. And, of course, she can always change her mind."Hillary has said 'no' but "experts" say that she didn't say 'no' in the way politicians mean it to be definitive. I always thought 'no' merely meant 'no' but I guess not in politics.
I would love for her to run. Even though I like Obama, I was a Hillary supporter in 2008. She would make a great President.
MadgeUK wrote: "Has anyone had experience of the Waldorf/Steiner schools in America? My son is now a Business Manager for one being set up in the UK under our new 'Free Schools' legislation."Never heard of it so I looked it up. It isn't American; it was founded by a man in Austria.
Yes I know - we call them Rudolf Steiner schools over here but there are quite a lot of Waldorf schools in America and the first one there was founded in 1928 in NY City. This is an interesting article about one in the Silicon Valley which doesn't teach IT:-
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/tec...
Same sentiment, Lynnm. I wanted Hillary in 08 but I'm thrilled at the election results this year. I really think she'll run and if things go well in the next four years, probably has a good chance of winning.MadgeUK, the only thing I know about the Waldorf schools is that they teach knitting to the kids in the lower grades! Cool.
Yes, they use knitting for maths tuition:).
MadgeUK wrote: "This is an interesting article about one in the Silicon Valley which doesn't teach IT:-"Love this article! Tech is nice to supplement the lessons. But it should never be used as a primary teaching tool.
It annoys me no end that many schools - in an effort to save money - are using computers to teach classes, especially math. They'll put a hundred students in a class, sit them in front of computers, and the teacher merely serves as facilitator.
I also voted for Hillary in the '08 primary, and still wish she had won the presidency then. I hope she does run again.
Moving at their own pace is a feature of the Rudolf Steiner schools. Children of different ages are often in the same class until they have 'mastered' a subject, or if they are ahead in it.Not teaching IT won't help kids much in the job market today when most employers expect computer literacy from day 1.
Rochelle wrote: "BunWat wrote: "The comments made my head ache so I stopped reading them."Comments under internet articles are rarely worth the bother.
I thought Coontz is right on the button, although it doesn'..."
What you say about comments under Internet articles is often true, Rochelle, in part because of flamers and similar abusers of the form. Yet, I frequently scan them, especially if I really agree with an article or if I really disagree. They sometimes provide me a way of assessing if my own view stands up to scrutiny or if there are other considerations my own blinders may be allowing me to overlook.
In this case, while I disagreed with the comments more often than the article, the comments provided me with hints as to why the original writing had not been entirely comfortable as I read through it, even though I largely agreed with it. And, yes, nuances can be sources of migraines.
BunWat wrote: "I don't know that I agree that tech should never be used as a primary teaching tool. I guess it depends on what you mean by primary teaching tool. I do think that computer assisted learning can b..."The problem with computer assisted learning is that it takes away from the dialogue between teacher and student. I'm a big supporter of the Socratic method of teaching, and tech doesn't allow for that. To me, tech is much like lectures or teaching via Powerpoint...neither of which are the best ways of teaching for the vast majority of students.
Again, it is fine as a secondary source of information. For example, in foreign language classes, lab time is a good way for students to work on their listening skills at their own pace. Or in English classes, using film for visual learners (but only after students have read the original or related texts).
MadgeUK wrote: "Not teaching IT won't help kids much in the job market today when most employers expect computer literacy from day 1. "
I think what they mean by tech is using computer assisted learning software, which are available on the internet or via apps. I am sure that students would use Word to type papers, or in high school, create Powerpoint presentations.
For example, they wouldn't have students do their math homework via a math app on an iPad or iTouch. They would do it on paper...the way they should be learning math.
I just found out about these new requirements today when reading the New York Times. I strongly disagree. English teachers should teach literature - all genres, all styles. While non-fiction is also important, it shouldn't replace literature, nor should an English class teach menus, tech manuals, or train schedules. Literature teaches critical thinking. It teaches students the history of human thought. It teaches empathy with others. Non-fiction and tech manuals cannot do any of those things.http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/...
What is our core curriculum coming to in the States? First, the arts are eliminated. Now, the humanities are starting to get the axe in favor of business and tech skills. (And on the college level, in many colleges literature and history are no longer required).
And here, the comments are worth reading. NY Times readers are generally very educated and intellectual.
So glad more non-fiction will be included. The best books I have read over the past two years have been non-fiction. Other than Anne Frank, I don't remember reading anything in school that wasn't fiction. It wasn't until I was an adult I realized some of the best writings are non-fiction. My sons struggled with reading in school unless the book was non-fiction. As adults, they seldom read for pleasure, but if they do, it is a non-fiction book that I have recommended.
Yesterday was the day for the now forgotten tradition of stirring the Christmas Pudding and Mincemeat. It is called Stir Up Sunday:-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stir-up_...
Do Americans have a similar tradition? In the UK we are now copying Scandinavian traditions instead:-
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyl...
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I don't do any cooking these days but I will be putting my 3 trees up soon as I love to see Xmas decorations and lights during the dark, SAD inducing, winter months.
Deborah wrote: "We have Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) where everybody goes nuts shopping. We have Cyber Monday (yesterday) where everybody goes nuts shopping via the Internet. People here each have t..."Now the big chain stores are opening on Thanksgiving day. Bah, humbug...
Not everyone shops this weekend...
Not having been brought up with Christmas, and Chanukah was not a big deal once we grew up. I've been a Unitarian for many years, and we celebrate everything in a secular way. I've picked through the traditions and kept the ones I like. I have a tree for which I've made most of my own decorations, and make or give a gift as my budget allows, usually one.
I love your knitted decorations Rochelle! I usually go to a Chanukah party too.
My friends in Minnesota gather as a group of sisters to make Lefse, the Scandinavian potato crepe, each year.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lefse
One of the things I missed when I moved East from the Midwest was the plethora of Scandinavian and German cookies to which I was accustomed:
http://scandinavianfood.about.com/od/...
Although in recent years I have not baked for the holidays, krumkake (5 above), rosettes [deep fried on forms], cookie press cookies, and rum balls are among family favorites. I have been known to make my own fruitcake, but not for many years. If I use a plum pudding, I always buy it -- preferably an English brand.
I have friends who gather family youngsters to decorate gingerbread houses.
Some of us like to take in a musical event for the season. A treat I especially enjoy is a concert at St. Thomas in NYC, but "The Nutcracker" is fun from time to time as well. Our church always has a musical program (well attended, sometimes two sessions back-to-back) one Sunday early in the month.
Our town has a caroling walk along its main avenue each year on Christmas Eve, starting near the Catholic Church at one end of the street and concluding with a large fest on the Green in front of the Presbyterian Church at the other end, passing Episcopal and Methodist churches along the way. Immediately following and throughout the evening are worship services, including children's pageants.
Christmas Eve many of the streets are lined with luminaries -- a beautiful sight that I miss when not in the area.
Many groups, social and work, have holiday parties.
Deborah wrote: "We have Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) where everybody goes nuts shopping. We have Cyber Monday (yesterday) where everybody goes nuts shopping via the Internet. People here each have t..."Not everyone shops...:-)
I wan't brought up with Christmas and Chanukah wasn't big once we grew up, so I've picked through the traditions and adopted what I want. I've crafted most of my own tree ornaments and often make a gift for a close friend.
Your Christmas sounds very jolly Lily! Mine is very quiet these days, although all our family get together each year for an Xmas feast and music making, this year on the 27th. We aren't extravagant with presents either and books are top of our lists (plus garden vouchers for me).
There was some kind of glitch and I've posted twice. I thought the first post had been deleted.
Mod
I didn't shop either Rochelle, and I agree with your Thanksgiving comment. It really annoys me to see Christmas stuff out early. In som cases this year, I saw places with it out before Halloween!
They have been showing Christmas movies all over TV since long before Thanksgiving, but I refuse to watch any until at least December. I also usually don't listen to Christmas music (which I love) until Dec. 1, and then listen to mostly that all month. This year, though, I did make an exception. I love Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Christmas music, and I got a new EP (only 5 songs), so I wanted to listen to that right away, and then the other day when I was putting away the Thanksgiving decorations and getting out the Christmas ones, it just felt right, so I pulled out their other Christmas CDs, but I won't listen to any other artists until this weekend.My mother always goes down to my brother's in Florida for Christmas, so I usually spend it alone, and then we celebrate after she gets back, in mid-January. My best local friend, her family, and I get together, often on Christmas Eve and exchange gifts, sometimes with some other friends, too. This year, there is a possibility that my best friend from college may be coming to visit (she lives in northern Maine)! Some years back, she would come every year, and we had such a good time, but then she changed careers to CPS (Children's Protective Services), and it is a very busy time of the year for them, so she hasn't been able to make it for some years now. I hope she can get the time off and come down! We often have roast beef and Yorkshire pudding for Christmas when she's here.
I did go online on Black Friday to use a B&N coupon to purchase The Hobbit, which I haven't read for many years, and would like to reread before the movie comes out. Yesterday, on CyberMonday, I had few gifts left, so I went to a website where I knew they had a few things I wanted, and did manage to get a good deal on a Patriot's watch for my brother, as well as ordering the other items I wanted. I don't think I've ever gone out shopping on Black Friday - the stores are usually crowded enough on normal days!
UK floods: Four dead, water levels still risinghttps://news.google.com/?ar=1354089097
The video looks devastating. Don't know if that link will work.
It did not for me. Here is another:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/...
And another:
http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-ne...
Lily wrote: "https://news.google.com/
Don't know if that link will work.It did not for me. ..."
First didn't work because they change the page often.
This is dreadful, looks like what we had here. Madge--were the 2 areas in Wales and England near each other, or is the flooding more widespread?
Something more lighthearted re Black Friday, from a favorite newspaper:http://www.theonion.com/articles/42-m...
and:
http://www.theonion.com/video/romney-...
Rochelle wrote: "Lily wrote:"https://news.google.com/ Don't know if that link will work. It did not for me. ..."First didn't work because they change the page often..."
I tried to catch the link specific to the video, but somehow, I could not. It was from euronews and more interesting than those I did capture.
Rochelle wrote: "Something more lighthearted re Black Friday, from a favorite newspaper..."Since Onion is a favorite news source, you might enjoy this, Rochelle:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politic...
The floods here are in low lying areas of the country where there are big rivers - the usual culprits because in recent years house building has taken place on flood plains:( They are pretty drastic this time around thoug no doubt due to climate change, which is affecting us all:(
Lily Post 364: You can say that again! Only 4 votes in it though so it may be turned around, especially as the government is making noises about them being discriminatory.
Any interest in some discussion about what you want to read in 2013 and why?In 2012, I deliberately set the number of books I wanted to read low, in an attempt to introduce some self-discipline. In actuality, I have at least doubled that so-called "goal," but was still a lot lower than if I had set it high. In addition, there were a large number of books that I started, but did not finish -- some more or less really reference books in the first place, but others because they represented authors or topics that I wanted to sample or experience, but that did not capture my attention for their entirety. (I have a long standing "rule" that if I get one good idea or thought out of a book or document, it has served me well.)
Right now, my own thoughts for 2013 are, that besides continuing with the groups, f2f and online, whose members draw me into wonderful discussions, I'd like to do a bit more biography reading than I usually do. Leo Tolstoy stands high on the list; also, perhaps Nabokov along with his Pale Fire or Ada . Steve Jobs 's biography has sat largely unread for a year, despite my interests in the industry he served so well. A friend has been recommending one on Vladimir Putin -- I'll have to go back and check with her on which one of those released in 2012, probably The Strongman .
Then, there are those friends suggesting Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.
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In 2012, I deliberately set the number of books I wanted to read low, in an attempt to introduce some self-discipline. ..."
I always set my goal high. My reading is more random than yours. I read with the online book clubs and then grab whatever happens to be on the top of my physical tbr pile. I recently read a Gillian Flynn called Dark Places. It was a good read with strong writing. For me, if the book is not well written I cannot read it. I have some books I didn't finish, too. I've set them aside and will try them again some time in the future. Some times it's just not the right time for you to read it.
Deborah wrote: "...My reading is more random than yours...."I doubt it! lol! Probably just feels that way from your direction....
Thx for the feedback on Flynn. I quite agree that there is a time and place (and mood) fit about books. But, after my many years, I am also learning that life is short, no matter how long and wonderful it is.
There is a discussion going on in Author Recommendations about future reads:-http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/7...
Hope your access to the NYT will allow you to see these, if interested. I found each of interest, including the comments on the parenting one. In good time for family holiday gatherings?http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/02/fas...
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/28/boo...
I always told my own children that dealing their children as adults will be far more difficult than dealing with them as babies and so it has turned out to be, although nothing drastic has happened so far. One reason it is more difficult is that you can no longer impose your will on them by saying NO when you see them about to get into trouble or danger.
http://www.time.com/time/specials/pac...This list for the Times Person of the Year award certainly tells me that I am out of touch with who are the movers and the shakers.
May the Duchess carry their baby in good health! (I can't help but wonder whether she has previously miscarried. Maybe just my suspicious mind.)http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/e...
Lily wrote: "Deborah wrote: "...My reading is more random than yours...."I doubt it! lol! Probably just feels that way from your direction....
Thx for the feedback on Flynn. I quite agree that there is a..."
I've decided that this is my year for reading classics. But I'll also read something else with each one. I've just started "Gone Girl" and it is certainly keeping my interest. I don't usually read thrillers, but I wanted to see what all the hoopla was about.
I can sympathise with her - I had severe morning sickness with my second child and had to be hospitalised:(. But she will have the best treatment in the world. (I am not so sure that being so skinny is good for carrying babies!)
MadgeUK wrote: "...(I am not so sure that being so skinny is good for carrying babies!)..."The thinness has struck me, too. May all go well for them. So much stress, despite the high levels of care and service.
Cynthia wrote: "...I've just started 'Gone Girl' and it is certainly keeping my interest. I don't usually read thrillers, but I wanted to see what all the hoopla was about. ..."Thx for that feedback, Cynthia. Gone Girl was an Amazon 12 days of holidays special today, which I happened to catch at a wonderfully low price, so a hard copy version should soon be on its way! Two friends particularly brought it to my attention.
Unless there is an eating disorder or some medical issue, being thin is not a problem with pregnancy. I have jealously watched many skinny people in my family or amongst my friend, carry a baby to full-term without a single problem, and continue to be skinny after the birth. Sigh.
Lily wrote: "http://www.time.com/time/specials/pac...This list for the Times Person of the Year award certainly tells me that I am out of touch ..."
I knew a little more than half of them.
☯Emily wrote: "Unless there is an eating disorder or some medical issue, being thin is not a problem with pregnancy. I have jealously watched many skinny people in my family or amongst my friend, carry a baby to..."I have a friend who is quite heavy and she had the same nausea issue with both babies. She was hospitalized also and delivered healthy babies.
Lily wrote: "May the Duchess carry their baby in good health! (I can't help but wonder whether she has previously miscarried. Maybe just my suspicious mind.)http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/e......"
Can you imagine the joy the Queen is getting from this, after so much upsetment in her family?
I thought y'all might like to see these photos of Kate playing hockey yesterday at her old school, maybe the last time she will be so active for awhile:-http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/art...
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The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910
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