You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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Janice, Moderator
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Aug 04, 2015 07:44AM
I wasn't referring to the teachers at the classroom level. I was talking about the governing body that implements the school systems.
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Oh I know, I was just feeling bad, because it's not the teachers fault, I wasn't directly referring to your comment :-)
I had one of those teachers, Berit :) he was the BEST teacher I ever had!! I had him for Algebra and then Trigonometry in High School. I then worked for him as a Teacher's Assistant (just grading papers and homework). It was funny because I ended up having him as my teacher in College. I didn't test well when I had to test to see what English and Math I was to be placed in at the Community college I went to. I walked in and he said,"Boyd! (My maiden name), what are you doing in this class?" You didn't test well, did you?" I ended up with a 104% in his class for Algebra in High School :)
Ended up with a 4.0 in his class in college :)
He also ended up being a friend of my parent's neighbors..I found this out when I worked for our local hockey team because he was at a game with them..small world!
Janice wrote: "It seems to me that common core is the pendulum swinging to the extreme on the other side. It seems that those who drive the educational system recognize that people learn by various means. Inste..."Exactly. Just phrased much more concisely than me
(i'm incredibly sick again, just for the record).
A good teacher can make a world of difference regardless of how the governing body dictates they teach. I had some teachers that would take the time to try to explain things in a way that everyone would understand and I had others that just put it out there and if you got it, good, if not, too bad. I'll never forget my Western Civ. class in college. It was the very first class I had as a college freshman and the professor was one of those that just lectured and didn't really teach. He said there was no need to take notes in his class, you could print them out. I logged on to print the notes and there was over 50 pages of 8 or 9 point, single spaced type. He talked about maybe 1/3 of the things on the notes in class and tested on all of it. I was so overwhelmed after the first test I had to drop the class. I took it next semester with a different professor and aced the class.
Berit wrote: "Oh I know, I was just feeling bad, because it's not the teachers fault, I wasn't directly referring to your comment :-)"I understand. I think because your comment immediately followed mine, it seemed to be a response and I didn't want you to think I was pointing a finger at them. I feel for the teachers at the classroom level because they have to implement those wacky decisions. I have several teachers in my life. My brother is actively teaching. My ex-brother-in-law is a retired math teacher. I'd be really interested in his comments about this situation. There's more, but it's boring to list them all. LOL!
Rusalka wrote: "(i'm incredibly sick again, just for the record). .."Bummer! Get better soon, Rusalka!
Yes, I have the same my mom is a teacher, my brother's girlfriend is a teacher, and my daughter wants to be a teacher, so I definitely have sympathy for all of them, it's interesting talking to my brother's girlfriend because she's having to implement the common core and her fifth-grade class, And she agrees it's great for some but not for all!
as far as homeschooling I don't have the personality, nor do my kids for that,:-)I hear this all the time. I used to think the same thing until my son really benefitted from being pulled out of the school system and we decided to try it. What I've learned in my years of homeschooling/unschooling is that there are SO many ways to do it. It's completely flexible and versatile. I'm just saying this bc I think most people who haven't done it have an image in their mind of how it must be and it's really, really not like that. I also think people still view it as these sheltered kids growing up being taught at the kitchen table for hours a day, with no exposure to society. Not saying you Berit, or anyone here is saying that. I just see it all the time on tv and it makes me grumble every time. My daughter watches Disney channel and there are so many references about how sheltered homeschoolers are, it gets me every time. I'm not mad here, I'm just trying to get the word out that homeschooling really is so so different than what the mainstream idea of it is. And as I said, there are so many ways to do it, it could fit many lifestyles. But, at the same time, I am totally aware that it's not for everyone. :)
Btw, my stepson went through public school (he lived with us during high school) and he did poorly so we have experienced the school system from that perspective as well. That experience along with my son's struggles during school led us towards homeschooling. My daughter on the other hand would do just fine in school if she was there but I know she loves being home.
The reason I personally said that about homeschooling, is because I personally do not have any desire to teach my kids, that's just me, and honestly my kids have really thrive in the public school system, and I was raised by a public school teacher, I have nothing against homeschooling at all and I think it is probably the best bet for some people, just definitely not me.
I totally get that. :)My sister is a teacher, a really good one, so I also know that there are really caring teachers out there. :)
Tasha, homeschooling is very uncommon here so forgive me if this is a stupid question. In what way do you add social aspects to the homeschooling experience? Things like working together in groups on a project, or playing with school friends after school, are there possibilities for that?And can you (not you specifically) homeschool only at elementary school level or also high school? How do children experience the switch to an actual school when homeschooling is no longer possible?
I'm curious :)
Peggy, there are a lot of programs run through a lot of different channels churches, parks and recreation, and others that offers social aspects to homeschooling, also you can homeschool all the way through high school, I think there are some criteria's that need to be met in order to go on to college, but I'm not entirely certain of that.
See, I didn't even realize their were all kinds of programs and channels ;-) makes a lot of sense though!
Rusalka wrote: "(i'm incredibly sick again, just for the record)."I hope you feel better soon Rusalka!
Oh I hope so too Rusalka!I just got a message from my niece who finally sold her house after 8 years or so, maybe even more. Was a big hassle, broke up with her boyfriend, both couldn't afford living there alone so for years they each lived there for two weeks and then two weeks at their own parents home. Three years ago she managed (not sure how) to move to her own place, and now finally this house is sold!
I think the social aspect has grown even more due to social networking and other online platforms that allow homeschooling parents to reach out to other homeschooling parents. There are lots of resources that can allow the children to interact with other kids and learn the necessary social skills for life. But that is in the hands of the parent to research and take advantage of.
Peggy that sounds like a bad movie ;-) LOL!
Hope you feel better soon, Rusalka!
Peggy wrote: "Tasha, homeschooling is very uncommon here so forgive me if this is a stupid question. In what way do you add social aspects to the homeschooling experience? Things like working together in groups ..."Not a stupid question, another that is often asked. Basically, just speaking from my own experience, homeschooled kids are very socialized. They are out in public all the time so get lots of opportunities to socialize with people of all ages, backgrounds, etc. Honestly, just by living in this world they get socialized. Without going into lots of detail, kids who are out in the world are getting socialized. My community has a large homeschool presence and the kids (and us adults) are often together during the week doing stuff together. These kids have huge sleepovers as well as they are all friends. My daughter is extremely social and doesn't lack for any social interactions. I think people just naturally tend to think of socialization as kids being with kids all day in school but socialization is so much more than just that.
Just wanted to add as well that my daughter has lots of exposure to schooled kids as well as she is involved in lots of activities that schooled kids go to like dance and gymnastics. So needless to say, some of her friends are schooled kids. :)
I hope you feel better soon too, Rusalka!
Was curious this morning so I counted how many audible titles I own that I'm behind and haven't listened to yet. About 110. And yo think at one point I was almost caught up
Wow, that's a good amount! how many do you listen for year, Travis?
I listened to almost 200 last year. I'm much behind that number this year. Haven't been listening quite as much as I used to and I read a lot of 800+ page books so book coubt is hard. I haven't checked my page count recently. I may be close to page count as last year and just read longer books this year possibly
I hope you feel better soon Rusalka. I was quite unsure about what homeschooling entailed until I moved on to our boat. there are quite a number of families on the canal who homeschool and they all get together regularly for the kids to play, go out for days etc. there seems to be a much wider network too and some of the big museums run special days for homeschool kids, Stonehenge being one of them. The kids I've met have been very sociable and very curious about everything and I've even learnt some interesting facts from them which I can't imagine I'd have known at that age. They are all primary age. I'm not sure what the rules here are for secondary age homeschooling.
@Peggy and Elsbeth - have either of you been to Giethoorn in the Netherlands? It is a village with no roads, only a canal so they all have boats. I would love to go!
Sarah wrote: "I hope you feel better soon Rusalka. I was quite unsure about what homeschooling entailed until I moved on to our boat. there are quite a number of families on the canal who homeschool and they a..."
I'm not surprised that many of those families homeschool, the untraditional living seems to invite homeschooling. I'm also not surprised about your comments, it reflects my experience with homeschooled kids too. :) I'm am happy to hear it's popular over there though!
Each time I read or hear talking about homeschooling I feel like I would love to do it....
It must be great with homeschooling that you have so many more opportunities to show the kids things in practice, instead of them mostly learning in a classroom and from books. I haven't been Sarah. Friends of mine went there last year though and they loved it! It's also called 'Venice of the Netherlands' and there are a lot of canals and people living right near the canal, but there are roads too (the town centre is car free). Not sure if all those homes are accessible by car though, could also be just walking paths. They do have 'parking spaces' for the boat next to their homes :D
My children never attended "nursery" or "preschool" or had babysitters, just started kindergarten when they were supposed to. I did, however, teach all three of them to read before then and they could count, do some simple math, etc. We visited the zoo once a week and assorted museums twice a month.The synagogue where I work has a preschool and there are children enrolled as young as 18 months. I never understood that concept, as a parent.
Selfishly, before mine started school my husband worked 6:30a.m. - 3 p.m. and I worked 4 p.m. to midnight so they would never need childcare. I changed to a day shift when they were all in public school full time. I don't think I could have handled the swing shift for the 23 years it would have taken, but I am very involved in their learning.
I think there is a happy medium for everyone who is willing to expend some effort where their children are concerned. I also believe you only get out of the school system what you are willing to put into it.
Same thing here, Kandice. My kids stay at home until Kinder, and we kind of homeschooling during that time. It's so much fun!
I completely agree, it's what you put into it, and your reasons behind doing what you have chosen to do. My kids are super involved in school, playing high school sports, cheerleading, and ASB, and so yes I've had an extremely positive experience.. But I also spent a lot of time taking them to all kinds of extracurricular activities after school, and honestly most of their closest friends came from those extracurricular activities, especially up until high school. I think the fabulous thing is there is a choice, so you can choose what's best for you and your children and your family :-)
I cannot keep up with this thread. 78 posts.
We went to a birthday party last night. It was great. Nice people, in a field, with an open fire and chilled music. I've not been to one in ages. After beer there comes a point when you need to wee and toilet facilities are obviously the hedge. So in the dark I trot of to use the "ladies" and I crouch on what I thought was a bramble as I felt a little prick but I thought if I just kept still it would be alright and I'd be finished in no time. It was't a bramble but was a stinging nettle. So now I have a stung bottom and both of my hands are too. It was so painful. I can still feel it now. I can't remember the last time I was stung by nettles. Bloody things. I thought you might all like a laugh this morning!
Good one, sarah! I can commiserate. When I was young we drank by a lake and had to use the outdoor "ladies" as well and the next morning my sister and I woke to poison ivy all over our bums. So I feel your pain, sister. ;)
Ouch, Sarah :( What are nettles? Is it a plant?
That's bad... and painful...
Oh no Sarah! Ouch!Stephanie, yes nettles are a plant. They are very common here in the UK and they flipping hurt if you get stung by them! There are also these plants called dock leaves (which often grow near nettles) and they are meant to help relieve the pain of nettle stings. I remember my mum rubbing them on me when I got stung by nettles as a child and they did help ease the pain a bit.
Ouch Sarah!It did make me laugh tough ;-)
Nettles are very common here too. I hate getting ib to them but they are all over the pasture if you dont keep it bush hogged. What I do have to investigate is some plabt that I haven't seen much before this year. Its growing heavy along side my ag bag and I leaned over it to cut sone plastic and pinched it between me and the bag and that sucker has spiked balls all over it. Not sure how I would describe it but sharp enough they went through my pants and boxer to stab my special parts. Ouch like 50 needles stabbing me. Then I didn't kbow if I would hive or rash from it. That time no but i wouldn't want to try it again on bare flesh
Bwahahahaha!!!Hope you're okay, and we have nettles in the garden here for some reason, they hurt like hell. But thanks for making a very sick me laugh and laugh that I ended up in a coughing fit.
And now I have an image of Travis doing a nudie run through the strange plants in his fields... oh dear...
Oh no Sarah! I have a fear of squatting in something thorny if I ever have to use the restroom outdoors. I'm not allergic to poison ivy/oak so I don't worry about that too much, but I imagine even I might have a reaction to it if it touched my "special parts" so I generally try to avoid it. Not so easy when it is dark though. I don't think we have stinging nettles here but I've heard mention of them a lot in books. I always imagined some sort of spikey, thorny type bush, but the images I just googled don't look like that at all. What makes them sting? Is it like poison ivy and its the oils in the plant?
Rusalka wrote: "And now I have an image of Travis doing a nudie run through the strange plants in his fields... oh dear..."I was sort of fixating on the "spiked balls" having more than one meaning in that story! I hope no one comes in my office, I can't stop giggling. I am apparently a 5th grade boy today! LOL XD
We have them too. They look pretty harmless! You can make tea of them too, but I never had it. Not sure what makes them sting though. I think it's only one side of the leaf that's stings.
Best look that plant up Travis! I recently bought a wildlife of britain book and I'e been ticking things off when I see them. It's great fun! Sounds painful though.Over hear there is a TV show called Dirty Sanchez which is a little like Jackass and I vaguely remember one episode where they strip off and run bollock naked through a field of nettles. I bet that hurt for days!
Here's a link to the wiki on nettles https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urtica_... I'm guessing that the word Urticaria comes from this - the raction looks very much like that but obviously stings. The sting has gone now but my skin feels like it's crawling. You can brew nettles and they are great for digestion and often drank in tea. They are leafy tall plants. I guess the stems are quite firm but they bend easy. The stems have small hairs on as do the leaves and it's these that cause the sting. I'm guessing it's chemicals in the plant that make it sting.
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