Thoughts On Education

Sometimes I wonder if  I should post my thoughts here. My main purpose on my blog is more like a public scrapbook. I intend to start having the year printed in a book to keep forever. For other things,  I keep a journal on my desk and write things down as they come up in my mind throughout the day, but sometimes I wonder what others might think about it. I have thought about putting some things up on Facebook, but not all (I'd say most) of my friends are really interested in thinking about things more deeply. They are really just there to hear what other people are up to and to exchange funnies. That's fine. Besides, what I'm thinking about isn't always easy to express in a couple lines. So here I am, writing on my blog and wondering what people are thinking or if anyone is out there.

I read an article in a magazine for homeschoolers about getting services and such from the public schools. This magazine is geared specifically to un-schoolers, so I was a little surprised to see the topic at all. I read it thinking I would get more insight into the reasons why someone would want that but didn't really. I guess I have a different perspective.

From my experience, when one of my kids wants to learn something or is interested in a field of some kind, they really are not looking for a group of kids the same age with a teacher showing a simplified version of it. What they really want is an adult with that passion to show them what they do in the real world.

We've come across this specifically with computer programming for my younger son. He actually is interested in learning real programming, not how to use a program that simplifies programming for people. But the college won't let him take a class because he is twelve. I don't think he'd like that type of thing anyway. What he wants is an adult that understands programming and is willing to answer questions.

Instead of finding ways to let homeschooled kids into the public schools for specific classes, I think it would be better for the world if we got rid of some of the laws and the public perception that keeps children out of the adult world. Children (especially our teens) would learn a lot more from responsible adults in a working situation than in a classroom.

If a young person is interested in journalism, I'd have him apply to several local publishers as an apprentice, or at least find someone in the business that would let them work along side them for awhile. Just the interview process alone would be a better learning experience than taking a high school writing course at the public school. Right now, the only way to do something like that would be to have a close friend that would be willing to let that young person work for them "under the table". You may not have a friend like that and then you would be out of luck.

The bottom line, in my opinion, is that we need to end this separation of generations. Instead of keeping kids separate from the adult world and grouped together in classrooms by age, why not look at each individual person? If an eight year old comes to your machine shop with his mother, stop and ask him a few questions, show him around, and use your judgement as to whether or not he would safe and alert enough to hang out in the shop and help for an hour a week, or whatever. If a fourteen year old young lady comes into your hair salon looking for experience, why not have her work for you a couple hours a week? Treat them as you would any adult but with a little more guidance. If it's not working for one of you, explain that to them and re-evaluate the situation as need be.

This idea that all people under the age of eighteen are not capable of learning anything except in a classroom with a textbook is just ridiculous.

A simpler place

"He often went back to places he had been at earlier times in his life, just to see if the places would seem the same. In most cases, because he himself had changed, the places did not seem exactly as he remembered them, but there were exceptions. The simplest places, where there was only rock and sky, or water and rock, changed the least. When he felt disturbances in his life, as all men would, Famous Shoes tried to go back to one of the simple places, the places of rocks and sky, to steady himself and grow calm again."

"Famous Shoes suspected that the young ranger did not believe what he had just said - he was not old enough to understand the need to go back to a place where things were simple. He had no happiness in his face, the young ranger; perhaps he had never had a place where things were simple, a place he could think about when he needed to remember happiness. Perhaps the young ranger had been unlucky - he might have no good place or good time to remember."

I don't usually write much about the books we are reading as a family because I'm not taking notes but this just jumped out at me last night and I had to write about it. Just a PSA about the book though, it's not for the faint of heart or squeamish. It's one of my husbands favorite books though and he wanted to share it with us. It's a great thing he did because I think I would not have finished reading it after the first yucky parts. In fact, I asked him to skip over them but he wouldn't. But the book is great. The depth of the characters is the best. The Indians aren't all bad guys and the cowboys aren't all good guys. You love some. You hate others. And some you're just not sure about.

What do you think about the quote above? Do you have one of those places? Is it a physical place, spiritual, or just a fond memory? I had never thought of it like that before but shouldn't we all have a place in our lives that we go to to "grow calm again" when life gets hectic?

Before we moved to the desert permanently, we used to come out and camp on BLM land. There is nothing but sand, rocks, bushes, and old mines out there. The boys toted around BB guns and dug holes. I went for long walks in the morning. We'd sit and stare at the fire at night, laughing and telling stories. It was simple. I didn't realize it then, but now I do. We needed that quiet. We needed the simple space and time to re-center our focus and relax. When we came home after a few days, we were happier and more content. And we returned to that same spot many times. We still do, even though we live out here.

I hope you have one of these places! And if you don't, go make one! Even one simple, peaceful room in you house would do. A porch spot with a comfy chair and a view. A nearby park or hilltop to gaze out from. Or a special spot on the couch with the perfect story in your hand.

Friends

“I'm not my son's friend, I'm his parent!”

I've heard this several times recently and it makes me cringe. Do so many of us not know what the meaning of the word 'friend' is? Here's what I found when I looked it up on TheFreeDictionary.com.

A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts.

A person whom one knows; an acquaintance.

A person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade.

Word History: A friend is a lover, literally. The relationship between Latin amcus "friend" and am "I love" is clear, as is the relationship between Greek philos "friend" and phile "I love."

1. a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.

2. a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter.

3. a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile.

When I read these I believe I DO want to be my child's friend. Maybe what parents need to do is model what a good friend truly is.

The bible says in Corinthians 13:4-7:

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

And if “friend” means “to love”, shouldn't that scripture apply to a friend?

I think people are mistaking a friend for what kids typically find in schools. These are not friends, they are acquaintances. People you are forced to associate with in a school or work situation are not necessarily friends. A friend is something completely different.

A friend is someone that encourages and builds you up. When you tell a friend your dreams and goals, they help you achieve it, not squash them with negatives. When you are sad and lonely, a friend takes you out for ice cream and lets you vent your frustration without judging you. He stops you when your sadness or anger gets out of control and starts to hurt others. When you've had a rough day, a friend says “Let's go get a drink and listen to some great music!”, not “Let's get completely wasted and cause trouble.” Most of all a friend makes you be a better you than you would be without them.

I hope and pray every day that my sons see me as a friend and not an authority over them. I hope they find me to someone to confide in, to trust, and to love in return.

Government

I've been wanting to be more involved, or a least know what's going on, in our local government for over a year now. What's holding me back is my fear of looking like a fool at the city council meetings. I just want to go and see it, not talk, or anything, but I'm too chicken to go. Why? It's so dumb.

The more I read and the more I learn, the more I find that the best thing anyone can do is be aware of what your local government is doing. We are self-governed! And that means being involved whether you find it interesting or not. The problem is that most of us have put it aside for so long that those that are in the government believe they own it and know best. The last generation of leaders begged people to stay involved but “Things are running smoothly, so why bother? I have my own life to attend to.” was our attitude. So they took care of it. Then the next generation came in and thought, “Oh, we take care of things!”, and naturally they felt they owned that position. When things get crazy and out of hand, some people complain and some start to want to be involved again. Those in power find that offensive and get defensive about what they are doing “in your best interest”, of course.

So in comes me. I want to know what's going on. I want to be self-governed. I want what we had 100 years ago that led us to the prosperity that we are still riding on the tails of. So I read. I watch. I ask questions. But I want to go to the meetings to make it real to me. But I'm too scared. Of what? That's the question I need to ask. Why am I afraid to poke my nose in things that ARE my business?

Inspiration

I get inspiration from the strangest places sometimes! This morning I was watching a video from the 10^th anniversary of 9/11. It was here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJwDcSzqvDA

He was talking about Islam and how the people that did it were not following God or the Prophet at all but were murderers. It was uplifting and good to hear someone speak in such a way. But that's not what I was inspired about.

What inspired me was to hear this quote again, “Be the change you want to see in your world.” We all know that one. Gandhi had some pretty good philosophies. I've read some great books by him and loved it. But this quote never hit me just like it did today. I think it was because I've always heard it as “Be the change you want to see in THE world.” This guy said “YOUR world” and it changed the way I thought about it.

What is “MY world”? I'd say the people I interact with primarily, my household, my family. And then the people in my homeschool group that I see weekly. And then those at the grocery store, the post office, and Walmart.

How can I be the change I want to see in my family? As a wife and mother, I can be gracious, kind, and helpful. Through my actions I can show my family how I would like to be treated. That whole “do unto others” thing again! One (of many) things I worry about lately is that my sons are not getting the exercise I feel they need to be strong people. If I look at myself, well, I'm not much of an example, am I? I see my extended family growing older and weaker and I see other older adults full of life and strength. Which one will I choose to be? I'm choosing full of life and strength! So I'm trying to eat better but mostly I'm getting more exercise. I didn't choose to do this as an example to my family, but it is working that way! Hopefully they will choose life and strength too. It goes right along with other examples I've seen over the years. If you want your children to read, be athletic, garden, chase their dreams, then you need to do those things yourself. “Do as I say, not as I do!” is funny but it doesn't work.

The same thing goes for everyone around us. Even though we may not know it, we are an example to someone, somewhere. I've seen people at the grocery store that I've thought “Wow. I think I'll try that!” or “I hope that how people see me when I'm 80!” They weren't trying to be an example to me or trying to teach me something. They were just going along, being themselves. I saw them and learned something from them. I try every day to remember that someone will see me when I'm out and about and maybe they will find something good to emulate too.

So. That's my deep thought of the day. I'll be off being the change I want to see in MY world!

I'm Giving Up Facebook!

Not all of it really, but I'm not following any of my “friends” or playing games that I have to suck in other people to continue to play. I've thought long and hard about this and finally I've come to this conclusion. All my family troubles have come since we moved out here to the desert and I've relied on Facebook to keep up with my family. Problem is, not all my family is on Facebook and it's not the same as calling and talking and catching up.

But I can't give it up completely, because it's a brilliant way to keep up with news and interest articles. I love my groups because I can know what park our local group is meeting at this week, read articles and thoughts about education and world events, find a cool new knitting pattern, or get ideas about what to do or cook for the holidays. It's like the perfect magazine and it's free. I'm keeping that aspect of it.

Also, it's a great way to for people I know or may want to know, to get a hold of me. So, I will be checking it once or twice day when I have a few minutes to spare. But I'm not using it to know what my family is doing or plan get togethers. We need to talk for that. That's what the phone is for. 

Speaking of the phone! The smartphone! It has it's drawbacks. I love it because I can look up things when we have questions like "Where did the Aztecs live?" or "How fast does this ride go?". But sometimes I spend more time trying to post pictures on Facebook than I do standing in line at Knott's. It stops me from remaining in the moment with my family and friends. I debated not getting another smartphone, but that would be throwing the baby out with the bathwater. I took Facebook and my email off my phone. I don't need those 24 hours a day. I like having my Kindle and a couple games on there for when I'm stuck somewhere and have time to kill alone. I like having maps and google to look up things I need when I'm on the road. And I like having a small phone to snap pictures of things I want to remember. So I'm keeping it. 

I know I'm not alone on this, but I really think Facebook and my smartphone have taken over my life and not in a good way. They are not inherently evil and don't need to be shunned, but I do need to learn to use them more wisely in the future and I think these steps will help.

Oh! And here are a couple pictures of our cats, just in case you miss them! They found a new place to nap.