Category Archives: Practice of teaching

False Choices in Children’s Literature : Dead White Guys or Trash

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We just answered some mother’s questions about preschool curricula choices. The confusion arose because of some intended distraction fights among and between preschool educators.

Now, an even more pernicious false choice, even more intentionally caused. On the claim of needing to have diversity within the reading choices, all good literature has been banned. Good is defined as what has stood the test of time, and thus worth learning about. Further, it was replaced by tawdry, poorly written…. trash. Look, it is. Stop yelling and start thinking.

This situation in the classroom of teaching porn is heightened by the refusal to teach the classics. Diversity is great. INCLUDE female authors and authors of a variety of ethnic backgrounds or nationalities. Fine.

Reduce the book list  to only poorly written, modern books, especially on inappropriate topics, and you have ….   well, not anything worthy of being called learning. This is mis-education. And everyone knows it. That is why, instead of defending it, they get violent, first in words, then in actions, and finally in lawfare.

THINK FOR YOUR SELF.

False Choice: Play or Learn

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:30 — 17.4MB)

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Thanks to some young mothers in homeschooling conversations this longstanding controversy arose, reminding me of all the wasted time I have heard this argued. Children should play! No! I want them to learn. This is such a false choice. It is a trap. It is what is called a “false dichotomy” as if there are only two discrete choices. This is not true. In this case, the best is a “both-and.”

In other situations, the best is something else entirely. It is not just home-school mothers who bless their hearts are just asking what is best, which way to go. I have seen educators engage silly disputes. Indeed, I have seen professors spur this on. And that is the problem. WHY is this such an issue.

New home-schoolers are just asking. But why would flocks of teacher argue about this for decades. Because it is what they were taught. Let’s consider that.  But first, let’s answer the moms.  Enable your child to learn while they are playing — as far as they are considered. As long as you get your head out of the 2D world and don’t obsess on making your two year old boy sit still, you have no problems. It all becomes easier when you see that.

Back to School Encouragement

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:14 — 17.3MB)

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I remember how hard this time of yer was for me when my daughter was going to school. We so dreaded school. That was a long time ago. I later withdrew her from school and she shot ahead academically and was so so so much happier. My grandsons likewise. But for those of you who are not celebrating like the homeschool moms I know, I am making this episode for you.

Some inspiring Bible verses.

Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Mat 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The Lord Is My Shepherd
Psa 23:1  A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psa 23:2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psa 23:3  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Psa 23:4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psa 23:5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Psa 23:6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psa_119:105  NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Joh_16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Mat_18:6  But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Mat_18:10  Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat_18:14  Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
Mar_9:42  And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
Luk_17:2  It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

 

Unpacking my slogans.

Children are not defective products. TM

Fix problems, not blame. TM

Children are not responsible for rearing themselves. TM

God wants total well-being for all children. TM

I wish you all the best. May the Lord bless you and yours.

Homeschooling Foundations

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:01 — 16.5MB)

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Once someone decides to home educate, then they nearly always want to know about curricula and how to teach reaching. Those are important questions, and I do answer them. But those are not the right questions, nor the first questions. First consider what your child needs to learn, and how they need to learn it. You can think through all that in my book, *Learn at Home For Great Shalom.”  (Also available in eformat, but I recommend getting the paperback.) Then you can choose your curricula.

For teaching reading and math, go to the store and choose the series on that topic: “How to Teach…”  Super sale; lowest price ever

The first task of home education is…. socialization! Or better said: conveying character. Or better said: discipling for success. Wow! so many linguistic landmines! Definitions have destinations!

Think through these things with me. HIstory, literature, and everything conveys a training in character, and that is more foundational even that reading. It helps the child learn to learn. It keeps the child from having to be controlled. It makes a strong family and a strong nation when people can be self-governing. That starts with virtue or character… in short, self-governance.