• Here’s an interesting article – Back to School: A message to high school students who hate high school; Here is why you hate it.
I do not necessarily agree or disagree with the author; however, the longer I homeschool and reflect on my own learning at various things – cooking, blogging, knitting – I see that what you choose to learn is what you learn best. On the other hand, I see that one must be exposed to a wide variety of subjects to find what clicks. And of course, I believe strongly in the vigorous mental exercise that Math or Latin or Physics or Writing or Piano or whatever subject one wants to pursue passionately. Still, an interesting perspective.
• I signed up for a Money Saving Newsletter at the beginning of the year as part of my new Living on a Strict Budget plan. I thought maybe there would be ideas for clipping coupons or finding hidden ways to save. Last week’s suggestion? How to become a surrogate mother. Not that there’s anything wrong with surrogacy, but it’s not the first thing that comes to mind when I think of getting my hands on a few extra bucks.
• This article at Smithsonian Magazine is SO interesting. It’s about a family who fled deep into the Siberian tiaga when the Bolsheviks took over Russia. They lived completely isolated from any human contact for over 40 years.
• We took the kids to their very first live show yesterday (yep – I bought the tickets back in December for a show on Super Bowl Sunday), Phineas & Ferb Live! It was AWESOME! I think I was just as excited as they were. It was the funnest thing ever. If you have kids into Phineas & Ferb, I highly recommend it. It was also my first Groupon purchase, and it went off without a hitch.
• We were deemed acceptable to move into the house we wanted (thank goodness), so we are moving two weeks from today. I vaguely recall packing things a year and a half ago with the idea that Future Deb would take care of it. That’ll be fun.
• Happy Monday, y’all! Link up with your own Randomness below!
February 4th, 2013 at 10:36 am
The first article is interesting, and I somewhat agree. Somewhat. Chemistry in high school? Yeah, it isn’t going to mean a whole lot unless a kid goes on to study science, but what about the problem solving that comes along with it? The systematic approach that is learned when studying inorganic Chemistry.
The other day my husband was working on something for his current class he is working on for his MBA. My husband has always struggled with Algebra and many times asked me “when will I ever use this?” as I helped him through his classes. Anyway, he was telling me that his current work required Algebra and it was applicable. Really? You are using Algebra in your real life? Isn’t that something. Snarky, I suppose, but just because a high school student can’t see where he will ever use the quadratic formula doesn’t mean that he won’t ever need it.
It frustrates me that we have told kids that what they are learning doesn’t matter. It does. Logical thinking is important. And Economics? Why can’t we give them some theory about Economics? It may be the only theory they get. They need to know when a political is blowing smoke up their rear end. If you don’t teach kids how to think, someone else will do it for them. That may not turn out as well as we hope.
Haha! Well, I have completely used your blog to run my opinion. I am going to read the Smithsonian article too. That sounds interesting! Glad you had fun at the Ferb thing!
Tressa´s last [type] ..A Trip to Whole Foods
February 4th, 2013 at 11:15 am
I thought I commented. Hmmm, I guess not.
Surrogacy?! What? That’s a money saving tip??
Live shows are fun. I remembering doing all of that with my oldest when she was young. The Circus, Disney on Ice, Barney Live, Elmo Live. What fun memories! I’m grateful that my mom treated us to all those fun experiences.
Congrats on the house. What fun unpacking will be!
Kristy´s last [type] ..Random Monday
February 4th, 2013 at 1:29 pm
I can’t believe it’s been a year and a half. Congrats on getting the house you want, and best of luck with the fun, fun job of packing (?) and moving. Going to read the first article now.
February 4th, 2013 at 2:40 pm
Loved that Smithsonian article. How crazy was that?
Karen@Candid Diversions´s last [type] ..Random Monday
February 5th, 2013 at 6:47 pm
We went to Ph&F Live Friday night. I had a great time until the squirrels in pants came out.
I have every confidence that Future Deb will handle reuniting with her belongs with grace and enthusiasm.
Connie Weiss´s last [type] ..Bachelor Sean: Be Scared