Do people even go to school anymore????

[frodo1008]

Please get a copy of Dr. Deming's book "The New Economy" and read it! Neither children nor adults can statistically be graded by the traditional A, B, C, D type of grades. It destroys ALL joy of learning and tries to turn human beings into robots. An impossible and destructive process!<br /><br />My own grand children that live with my wife and I and their parents are being home schooled. I have absolutely NO use for having them compared to others anyway!<br /><br />The ONLY thing they can be compared to is the actual level of work that THEY as individuals are capable of. For instance, say my grandson was capable of doing mostly 2nd grade work, then that is what he should be doing (no grades needed, just the level of work), however perhaps he has a real desire and ability to learn more math, I would then challenge him with 3rd or even 4th grade math work. He enjoys working at this more challenging level in math (which as anyone that is an engineer or other technical person can tell you is the absolute key to learning technical subjects). He may not enjoy writing as much, but I can somewhat insist that he at least does not drop back any further that one grade level in that subject (we must have at least some discipline). <br /><br />By the way there is a general methodology to scientific thinking, logically enough called "The Scientific Method". Perhaps this is the more general science they are teaching in your local schools. Such methodology is best learned first, before specific areas of science itself are explored.<br /><br />Also, if done properly it is a known fact the home schooled children in the US are at the very least usually at one or more grade levels ahead of comparably aged public schooled children (although it IS much harder on parents, and even sometimes grand parents). It is also used by some parents to attempt to instill their children with moral values that are generally impossible for the schools to teach.<br /><br />We are also very fortunate to

 

[windnwar]

Another positive of the home schooling process is since the parents stay involved in the education process, they are continually refreshing thier own knowledge as well. I'd bet the average home school parent would be unlike most of the people they put on the silly reality show where they have to be smarter then a fifth grader. <br /><br />Refreshing knowledge you wouldn't normally use is a great thing and helps keep you sharp in figuring out things. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font size="2" color="#0000ff">""Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." --Albert Einstein"</font></p> </div>

 

[docm]

Our 9 year old son, Erik, started "home schooling" at age 6 months; we read him the alphabet from a Noah's Ark plaque while pointing to the letters before every nap & at night. He could recite his alphabet shortly after learning to talk, read by 3, did sums shortly after and still absolutely inhales "input". His math teacher reports a 50-75 problem math test takes him 3-5 minutes, and these are 2-3 grades ahead of grade level.<br /><br />As for grades; for him they're a motivator, not a hindrance, though in many Michigan districts they don't use letter grades until 3rd grade including ours. <br /><br />IMO starting this soon counts for a lot later on, even in non-reading subjects like math. Unfortunately far too many parents drop the ball and "let them be kids". BS; have them learn while the brain is most capable and actively programming its operating system: before age 4-5.<br /><br />For us it's worked 4 for 4; an engineer, a nurse practitioner, a broadcaster and a young one in the Gifted Program who dreams of physics and writing. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

A friend who worked for Scholastic gave me a Weekly Reader subscription at age 4, which started my lifelong reading addiction.<br /><br />God bless you Betsy!!<br /><br />And her stuffed camel Sasha too <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[windnwar]

I remember hating to read when I was in the 1st grade, when my grandmother found out about it and how my reading skills were falling behind she sat me down and starting having me read to her from the readers digest, or various fiction she liked, stephen king, john saul, etc... She had glaucoma and had trouble seeing at that point but still loved books. By the time I entered the second grade my reading was approaching 4th grade levels. I truly believe it is why my reading comprehension has been so good ever since. Most things i'm interested in I read it once and it just sticks. Had she not taken the interest, who knows where i'd be today. I may not read a tremendous number of books these days but I read a ton of technicals articles, news, etc daily on all matters of subjects to keep my brain sharp. Thank you grandma! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font size="2" color="#0000ff">""Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." --Albert Einstein"</font></p> </div>

 

[usn_skwerl]

i started reading anything i could get my hands on at age 4, LOVED weekly reader!!! and even got into Highlights sometimes. was asked in 2nd grade if i wanted to go into "gifted reading," because apparently i read better than most kids, "like such as" with emphasis and inflection. "Ramona" was another decent series. ill never forget How to Eat Fried Worms though. <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[cbased]

First of all - thank you very much to all of you for your kind words.<br /><br /><i>"Unfortunately far too many parents drop the ball and "let them be kids". BS; have them learn while the brain is most capable and actively programming its operating system"</i><br /><br />I am ready to sign under each of these words. This is exactly what my parents were trying to do with me and what we try to do with our son. And this is what prompted me to write about schools and teaching in general. I'd love to see school helping parents not holding kids back to the average requirements for a certain grade.<br />When I asked my son's teacher about kids not having their homework the answer was "someone will have to check then". yeah! This is part of the teacher's role as far as I can tell.<br />Sorry for raising themes like this one on a space related forum.

 

[docm]

If the mods haven't moved it tom Free Space don't sweat it <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br />Oh; almost forgot. Welcome to SDC! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>