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| On a blackboard at my daughter's school |
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
The Great Museum Experience-The Blanton (2)
I chose a piece by Matias Duville he was born in Buenos Aries , Argentina
Friday, November 18, 2011
The Great Museum Experience-Blanton Museum of Art
I went to the Blanton Museum of Art. The piece of art that stood out to me was called, How To Build A Cathedral. It was made of 600,000 pennies, 2,000 cattle bones and 800 communion wafers. The artists’ name was Cildo Meireles. He is a Brazilian, Contemporary artist born in Rio de Janeiro
I felt like I was on a cruise ship with sweet tea and lounge chairs and Jazz music playing in the background.
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| Mission/Missions/How To Build A Cathedral By Cildo Meireles Photo by: Chandra Brown |
This particular installation is a permanent exhibit at The Blanton in Austin, Texas.
Fun Facts About The Artist:
Cildo Meireles is also known for his political statements through his Coca-Cola Project and re-stamping bank notes with politcally charged messages and inserting these pieces of "propaganda" secretly back into the population. A clever way to voice against the censorship of government and promote free speech. Although these clever antics are not considered art, they are highly sought after by museums.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
In Praise Of Good Teachers
In light of all my posts containing the negative aspect of Americas' vast education system, I felt it was necessary to add some balance and highlight some of the qualities within the system; good teachers.
Think of your school years and I'm sure the teachers who made an impact on you are the ones that pop in your mind first. I'd love to hear stories of those teachers that made a difference in your life or in your children's lives. You know I'm gonna tell you a few of mine.
Mrs. Kurtz, The Curt
Elementary teachers deserve " Blown Out Nerve But Still Kickin" awards. Dealing with 18 or more students with wiggles and pent-up energy for 6-8 hours a day and trying to pass important foundational knowledge that will be retained is a skill I marvel at. Mrs. Kurtz was my third and fourth grade English teacher. I laugh at her humor now but as a kid we just didn't get it at first. She was going to help us learn proper usage, grammar and manners come hell or high water. She wouldn't let anything slip by her, not even when we were asking to use the bathroom. Every day without fail a kid would raise their hand and ask, "Can I go to the bathroom?" and without fail she would respond, "I don't know, can you?" The kid would look bewildered and she would then tell them the correct way to ask, "MAY I go to the restroom?" After about a semester of correcting, the kids finally understood that proper usage of words makes the sentence change. I learned from Mrs. Kurtz, words and how you use them make a difference.
She also made her class fun by bringing in Ads from the local newspaper that had grammatical or spelling mistakes. If we could point them out we got extra credit. It was also a good lesson that even professionals and adults make mistakes.
Mr. Waco Einstein's Red Haired Twin
Mr. Waco was my third and fourth grade Math and Science teacher. He literally was the spitting image of Einstein but with flaming red hair instead of white. Since he was pegged "Einstein" by the kids, he told us the famous equation his likeness miraculously figured out; E=MC2. Not that we really understood the Special Theory of Relativity, but we felt awesome being exposed to it by someone that looked just like him. He made Science and Math fun and I remember him taking extra effort with me in Math. He was real; one time a kid pushed his buttons a little to far and he put the kid in his place; eyes were big and round that day but we still respected him and knew his class was a class for learning, not goofing around.
The Polyester Pant Suit Pedagogue
I went to Dennison For Junior High where Dr. Carlton, an ex- Navy Captain was the principal. The kids feared his military background and thought the campus would be run in tight-ship fashion, salutes and all. Dr. Carlton was a wonderful man who ran his school with efficiency and tight control but the kids learned they need not fear him; he conveyed friendliness but with a take action, no- mess around attitude. He certainly did something right because I remember most of my teachers from these years as wonderful ones. The one that made the most impression on me and I thank to this day for his teaching abilities is Mr. Mummert.
Mr. Mummert was a relic from the seventies; large lapelled shirts, thick suit jackets that matched bell-bottom pants and a tie so huge it should have been a clowns made him an easy target for distraction. Kids being able to pinpoint oddities like a K-9 dog sniffed out Mr. Mummert's fashion choice as a topic of relentless goading. I was guilty of recording his daily ensemble as a fashion report so those who were not in his class could see the outfit of choice and giggle at lunchtime.
Despite the shallowness of junior high minds, Mr. Mummert stuck to his guns and whipped his class into shape. He first taught us how to take proper notes from a lecture, pulling out important points for study through the A,B,C and 1,2,3 style. As the year progressed his passion for Social Studies and History started to outshine his hideous outfits. I started to put my portraiture aside and really listen as he made geographical places come alive when he taught the History behind the location on the map. He even got us so involved in wanting to learn he taught us a game called Diplomacy that takes weeks to play and involved strategy and an ongoing thought process from day to day. I remember wanting to impress him with my required end of year project, so I had my Dad help me display a wondrous re-enactment of The Battle of Midway, with small wooden Japanese and American Bombers strung with fishing wire in battle flight over the Carriers in the Pacific Ocean with a written report to explain the battle. He was very impressed and told me he was giving me a 'B+'. I asked why not an 'A'? He told me it was in every way an 'A' project but the fact I had my Dad help me when I was capable of doing it entirely on my own made the credit not totally mine. Mr. Mummert had my respect and I was happy to accept a B+ from him.
I think he may have learned a bit from the students too, at the end of the year he was sporting a nice pull over cardigan with kacky pants every now and then.
Mrs. Cheese, Economics and American History
Mrs. Cheese let her kids ask questions and discussed both sides of a topic. She also allowed for debate as we read items from the textbook.
She told me at the end of the year, "Chandra, you should really look into Political Science when you go to college." Of course I didn't take that route but I look back on her as a teacher that knew her students. I look back now and think I really should have taken her advice, I have always been passionate about what is going on in our country. She saw something in me before I even did.
Mr. Coons English
Mr. Coons helped me choose college courses I could take during the high school day at the local Community College. He even let me leave his English class early so I could make it to the college class on time.
I remember one assignment for his class was to choose a topic from any literary source and write your thoughts about it and back it up with facts. I chose the Bible. I wanted to write about the prophetic handwriting on the wall in Daniel 5. He wasn't a believer but he was gracious and read my assignment thoroughly and marked on the paper how it made him think about the truth of the Bible. I find it funny he also found a mistake of mine regarding the term 'mene, mene, tekel upharsin." I wrote something incorrect about it and he took the time to research it himself and showed me where I made the error. Instead of throwing this by the wayside because it was "Christian biased" in a public school curriculum, he let me do what I felt was important.
I also found out he had a hand in helping me receive a scholarship to the community college. It was a surprise to me as my name was called off at graduation for scholarship awards. He took the extra effort that he did not have to do.
Literature in College
I am racking my brain trying to remember this professors name, but I can remember her long, narrow face and pixy style haircut and her PASSION for her subject. She made the Iliad and the Odyssey come off the page at you as she explained the meaning and background and what a 'hero' meant in Greek culture. She was so inspiring in her understanding of the text that it made the actual reading enjoyable. It wasn't just some old book written by some old dude, she gave the piece context and the meaning came out loud and clear.
I have taken for granted many of the great teachers in the course of my life, I write this post in honor of them. They keep the institution of learning alive and something you want to retain and not just get through for credit and a piece of paper. I must mention that my parents and in-laws have been wonderful teachers too. The generation before you has much experience that we should glean and learn from. I am blessed that I have tutelage under some amazing people, it only makes me think in pure joy that God puts them in my life for enrichment and pleasure!
The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. ~William Arthur Ward
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| Clara Barton by: Umbricht |
Think of your school years and I'm sure the teachers who made an impact on you are the ones that pop in your mind first. I'd love to hear stories of those teachers that made a difference in your life or in your children's lives. You know I'm gonna tell you a few of mine.
Mrs. Kurtz, The Curt
Elementary teachers deserve " Blown Out Nerve But Still Kickin" awards. Dealing with 18 or more students with wiggles and pent-up energy for 6-8 hours a day and trying to pass important foundational knowledge that will be retained is a skill I marvel at. Mrs. Kurtz was my third and fourth grade English teacher. I laugh at her humor now but as a kid we just didn't get it at first. She was going to help us learn proper usage, grammar and manners come hell or high water. She wouldn't let anything slip by her, not even when we were asking to use the bathroom. Every day without fail a kid would raise their hand and ask, "Can I go to the bathroom?" and without fail she would respond, "I don't know, can you?" The kid would look bewildered and she would then tell them the correct way to ask, "MAY I go to the restroom?" After about a semester of correcting, the kids finally understood that proper usage of words makes the sentence change. I learned from Mrs. Kurtz, words and how you use them make a difference.
She also made her class fun by bringing in Ads from the local newspaper that had grammatical or spelling mistakes. If we could point them out we got extra credit. It was also a good lesson that even professionals and adults make mistakes.
Mr. Waco Einstein's Red Haired Twin
Mr. Waco was my third and fourth grade Math and Science teacher. He literally was the spitting image of Einstein but with flaming red hair instead of white. Since he was pegged "Einstein" by the kids, he told us the famous equation his likeness miraculously figured out; E=MC2. Not that we really understood the Special Theory of Relativity, but we felt awesome being exposed to it by someone that looked just like him. He made Science and Math fun and I remember him taking extra effort with me in Math. He was real; one time a kid pushed his buttons a little to far and he put the kid in his place; eyes were big and round that day but we still respected him and knew his class was a class for learning, not goofing around.
The Polyester Pant Suit Pedagogue
I went to Dennison For Junior High where Dr. Carlton, an ex- Navy Captain was the principal. The kids feared his military background and thought the campus would be run in tight-ship fashion, salutes and all. Dr. Carlton was a wonderful man who ran his school with efficiency and tight control but the kids learned they need not fear him; he conveyed friendliness but with a take action, no- mess around attitude. He certainly did something right because I remember most of my teachers from these years as wonderful ones. The one that made the most impression on me and I thank to this day for his teaching abilities is Mr. Mummert.
Mr. Mummert was a relic from the seventies; large lapelled shirts, thick suit jackets that matched bell-bottom pants and a tie so huge it should have been a clowns made him an easy target for distraction. Kids being able to pinpoint oddities like a K-9 dog sniffed out Mr. Mummert's fashion choice as a topic of relentless goading. I was guilty of recording his daily ensemble as a fashion report so those who were not in his class could see the outfit of choice and giggle at lunchtime.
Despite the shallowness of junior high minds, Mr. Mummert stuck to his guns and whipped his class into shape. He first taught us how to take proper notes from a lecture, pulling out important points for study through the A,B,C and 1,2,3 style. As the year progressed his passion for Social Studies and History started to outshine his hideous outfits. I started to put my portraiture aside and really listen as he made geographical places come alive when he taught the History behind the location on the map. He even got us so involved in wanting to learn he taught us a game called Diplomacy that takes weeks to play and involved strategy and an ongoing thought process from day to day. I remember wanting to impress him with my required end of year project, so I had my Dad help me display a wondrous re-enactment of The Battle of Midway, with small wooden Japanese and American Bombers strung with fishing wire in battle flight over the Carriers in the Pacific Ocean with a written report to explain the battle. He was very impressed and told me he was giving me a 'B+'. I asked why not an 'A'? He told me it was in every way an 'A' project but the fact I had my Dad help me when I was capable of doing it entirely on my own made the credit not totally mine. Mr. Mummert had my respect and I was happy to accept a B+ from him.
I think he may have learned a bit from the students too, at the end of the year he was sporting a nice pull over cardigan with kacky pants every now and then.
Mrs. Cheese, Economics and American History
Mrs. Cheese let her kids ask questions and discussed both sides of a topic. She also allowed for debate as we read items from the textbook.
She told me at the end of the year, "Chandra, you should really look into Political Science when you go to college." Of course I didn't take that route but I look back on her as a teacher that knew her students. I look back now and think I really should have taken her advice, I have always been passionate about what is going on in our country. She saw something in me before I even did.
Mr. Coons English
Mr. Coons helped me choose college courses I could take during the high school day at the local Community College. He even let me leave his English class early so I could make it to the college class on time.
I remember one assignment for his class was to choose a topic from any literary source and write your thoughts about it and back it up with facts. I chose the Bible. I wanted to write about the prophetic handwriting on the wall in Daniel 5. He wasn't a believer but he was gracious and read my assignment thoroughly and marked on the paper how it made him think about the truth of the Bible. I find it funny he also found a mistake of mine regarding the term 'mene, mene, tekel upharsin." I wrote something incorrect about it and he took the time to research it himself and showed me where I made the error. Instead of throwing this by the wayside because it was "Christian biased" in a public school curriculum, he let me do what I felt was important.
I also found out he had a hand in helping me receive a scholarship to the community college. It was a surprise to me as my name was called off at graduation for scholarship awards. He took the extra effort that he did not have to do.
Literature in College
I am racking my brain trying to remember this professors name, but I can remember her long, narrow face and pixy style haircut and her PASSION for her subject. She made the Iliad and the Odyssey come off the page at you as she explained the meaning and background and what a 'hero' meant in Greek culture. She was so inspiring in her understanding of the text that it made the actual reading enjoyable. It wasn't just some old book written by some old dude, she gave the piece context and the meaning came out loud and clear.
I have taken for granted many of the great teachers in the course of my life, I write this post in honor of them. They keep the institution of learning alive and something you want to retain and not just get through for credit and a piece of paper. I must mention that my parents and in-laws have been wonderful teachers too. The generation before you has much experience that we should glean and learn from. I am blessed that I have tutelage under some amazing people, it only makes me think in pure joy that God puts them in my life for enrichment and pleasure!
The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. ~William Arthur Ward
Monday, October 31, 2011
Walking the Tightrope
I am finding lately, I seem to relate more and more to some of the Old Testament figures, especially the ones who were living to witness their nations decline and/or exile. (I am by no means saying I am like them but that I can empathize.) I see America headed toward the landfill and there are so many ripple effects of this decline that I often wonder how these men of old lived through watching such a sad state of affairs. Reliance on God certainly was no doubt a survival tip and their laments don't go unnoticed as an outlet for their emotions.
Sometime I wonder how "they got a grip" as they saw their people reject, ignore and downright rebel against God. There have been times I get downright angry and depressed and want to shout at the top of my lungs at the path of absurdity our society has embraced. (and I do sometimes as I rant to the world wide web) I sometimes wonder about how small of a margin one has when trying to follow God's will in such situations. It can be tough to balance emotions and be Christlike. He makes you filter things through Him to make sure you are acting instead of reacting.
I have been finding a little release in Nehemiah lately. I think if I happened to live in his time we would have made fast friends. He wrote his own account of what he was called to accomplish. He had an uphill struggle if there was one! Here's a quick overview; he was in charge of re-building Jerusalem's wall while defending it at the same time, enemies slandered his name to stop his work, he went head to head legally for the usury of the people who were sacrificing to make the project work. He administered the affairs for proper teaching of God's ways only to go away and have the people slip back into their old wayward ways. Pretty frustrating wouldn't you say?
I can relate to his grief for his people...1:4 'Now it came about when I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days...." I surely feel like weeping and mourning for the state of American affairs..
He points out the problem for exile and the distress and reproach of the people as sin and repents. 1:7 "We have acted very corruptly against Thee and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances which Thou did command thy servant Moses." I certainly have sinned and there is no doubt America has done these same things too.
He makes a stand ("he makes a severe, uncompromising position against foreign marriages that steps on the toes of the high priest, his son married the daughter of Sanballat) and he suffers for it as he tries to go forward in building the wall, an idea he attributes to God putting in his mind (1:12). Sanballat along with a very large chip on his shoulder brings some friends to taunt Nehemiah (2:19-20, 4:1,3,7,8,11)
Not only did he have to worry about builder's working double time, he had to rally these workers to think militarily in order to defend what they were building (4:13-23).
To make matters worse the people were being used and taken to the cleaners by scoundrels. So Nehemiah had to intervene and clean out the rabble. (5:1-19)
Of course, the enemy doesn't rest and Sanballat kept up his vigil to railroad the rebuilding of the wall by getting his cronies to sign a 'petition' stating false information (6:8)
Nehemiah new his enemies tactics and I love his moxy, 6:11 "But I said, why should a man like me flee? And could one such as I go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in."
He overcomes the first hurdle and the wall is built, the people rejoice and the Laws are read by Ezra the scribe, bringing a refreshed knowledge of God's ways and repentance of the people. (6:15, 7,8,9). This causes the people to be re-dedicated to the Lord and the priesthood is re-established to help uphold the way's of God so the people won't slip back into bondage. I could only hope for this to happen in America.
The people had some trouble keeping to the laws and Nehemiah found himself doing a lot of correcting (13:8,11,17,21,23)
Now I have to point this part out as I relish it, although I probably shouldn't and I find much satisfaction that Nehemiah was a normal human being with emotions that may have got the best of him. He had just had it, he was boiling over and just wasn't having anymore, enough was enough! It goes back to the same issue he dealt with regarding the shunning of intermarriage and Sanballat (13:28). He visited Jerusalem and noticed the intermarrying going on and that the children couldn't speak the language of Judah, so he got physical. If you don't chuckle just a bit at the imagery of his actions then where is your sense of humor? He contended with them and cursed them and struck some of them and pulled out their hair and made them swear by God to not intermarry anymore (my own wording for the last part) 13:25.
I'm sure some of those younger than Nehemiah that didn't grow up through the wall building probably thought, "What is this old geezer doing beating up the young folk. Old age must make you lose your patience."
I also love how he asks God to remember him and to have compassion on him for all he does, and it almost seems like he is talking to God as a close friend does. Kind of like, "These youngens are just so hard-headed, won't they ever learn? Even after I teach them and do all the stuff I do for them, please let there be a reward for me in heaven to make all this worth it." BIG SIGH! (My perspective)
I dedicate this post to two of the most wonderful teachers in my life Ken Brown and John Debee. They are well-seasoned pros and know truth and have the strength to stand for the purity of God's Word. If I didn't have these straight as arrow compasses to learn from I fear I would end up like those clueless people in exile...There is a right way and a wrong way and upholding the right takes courage, will power, strength and walking a tightrope at the guidance of the Almighty!
Sometime I wonder how "they got a grip" as they saw their people reject, ignore and downright rebel against God. There have been times I get downright angry and depressed and want to shout at the top of my lungs at the path of absurdity our society has embraced. (and I do sometimes as I rant to the world wide web) I sometimes wonder about how small of a margin one has when trying to follow God's will in such situations. It can be tough to balance emotions and be Christlike. He makes you filter things through Him to make sure you are acting instead of reacting.
I have been finding a little release in Nehemiah lately. I think if I happened to live in his time we would have made fast friends. He wrote his own account of what he was called to accomplish. He had an uphill struggle if there was one! Here's a quick overview; he was in charge of re-building Jerusalem's wall while defending it at the same time, enemies slandered his name to stop his work, he went head to head legally for the usury of the people who were sacrificing to make the project work. He administered the affairs for proper teaching of God's ways only to go away and have the people slip back into their old wayward ways. Pretty frustrating wouldn't you say?
I can relate to his grief for his people...1:4 'Now it came about when I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days...." I surely feel like weeping and mourning for the state of American affairs..
He points out the problem for exile and the distress and reproach of the people as sin and repents. 1:7 "We have acted very corruptly against Thee and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances which Thou did command thy servant Moses." I certainly have sinned and there is no doubt America has done these same things too.
He makes a stand ("he makes a severe, uncompromising position against foreign marriages that steps on the toes of the high priest, his son married the daughter of Sanballat) and he suffers for it as he tries to go forward in building the wall, an idea he attributes to God putting in his mind (1:12). Sanballat along with a very large chip on his shoulder brings some friends to taunt Nehemiah (2:19-20, 4:1,3,7,8,11)
Not only did he have to worry about builder's working double time, he had to rally these workers to think militarily in order to defend what they were building (4:13-23).
To make matters worse the people were being used and taken to the cleaners by scoundrels. So Nehemiah had to intervene and clean out the rabble. (5:1-19)
Of course, the enemy doesn't rest and Sanballat kept up his vigil to railroad the rebuilding of the wall by getting his cronies to sign a 'petition' stating false information (6:8)
Nehemiah new his enemies tactics and I love his moxy, 6:11 "But I said, why should a man like me flee? And could one such as I go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in."
He overcomes the first hurdle and the wall is built, the people rejoice and the Laws are read by Ezra the scribe, bringing a refreshed knowledge of God's ways and repentance of the people. (6:15, 7,8,9). This causes the people to be re-dedicated to the Lord and the priesthood is re-established to help uphold the way's of God so the people won't slip back into bondage. I could only hope for this to happen in America.
The people had some trouble keeping to the laws and Nehemiah found himself doing a lot of correcting (13:8,11,17,21,23)
Now I have to point this part out as I relish it, although I probably shouldn't and I find much satisfaction that Nehemiah was a normal human being with emotions that may have got the best of him. He had just had it, he was boiling over and just wasn't having anymore, enough was enough! It goes back to the same issue he dealt with regarding the shunning of intermarriage and Sanballat (13:28). He visited Jerusalem and noticed the intermarrying going on and that the children couldn't speak the language of Judah, so he got physical. If you don't chuckle just a bit at the imagery of his actions then where is your sense of humor? He contended with them and cursed them and struck some of them and pulled out their hair and made them swear by God to not intermarry anymore (my own wording for the last part) 13:25.
I'm sure some of those younger than Nehemiah that didn't grow up through the wall building probably thought, "What is this old geezer doing beating up the young folk. Old age must make you lose your patience."
I also love how he asks God to remember him and to have compassion on him for all he does, and it almost seems like he is talking to God as a close friend does. Kind of like, "These youngens are just so hard-headed, won't they ever learn? Even after I teach them and do all the stuff I do for them, please let there be a reward for me in heaven to make all this worth it." BIG SIGH! (My perspective)
I dedicate this post to two of the most wonderful teachers in my life Ken Brown and John Debee. They are well-seasoned pros and know truth and have the strength to stand for the purity of God's Word. If I didn't have these straight as arrow compasses to learn from I fear I would end up like those clueless people in exile...There is a right way and a wrong way and upholding the right takes courage, will power, strength and walking a tightrope at the guidance of the Almighty!
Note: Clarification, the intermarriage aspects Nehemiah was so angry at was over the pagan ideologies entering into families because of the entangling of cultures. The Israelites were losing their language. It wasn't over skin color as most Western minded churches like to believe.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Current News Article Helps Put Perspective on OBE
I have spent much time on past history of the Outcome Based System. I was happy to have this current news article surface. It was posted October 27, 2011 by The Blaze Website and Titled, Education Teacher's Union Offered Grant to Create 'Activists' Out of 1st and 2nd Graders by Tiffany Gabbay.
Before you read it, remember the beginning post of this education journey and how I stressed the importance of words and language.
Remember William Spady's admission he was a "wordsmith"
Remember the video of the NEA stating their goal wasn't about the children but power and support of this declaration was given with standing ovation.
Now go ahead and read the article.
I'll give you a minute or two....
What a relief the superintendent knew the language was dubious and declined the grant. That he "asserts that the teachers' intent and meaning of "activism" differed from the obvious interpretation."
Let me make a point that can easily go unnoticed. Don’t let anyone fool you, just because integrity and good intention may be behind some of the teachers wanting to use this, one can’t be naive to the fact the federal government is the one who is ultimately in control and will dictate the requirements for curriculum. They may say you have the reigns but who provides the money and the framework?
Did you notice the Activist's Library? It was filled with known supporters of Marxist-Leninist, Communist ideology. 'Ahem'... Saul Alinsky.
And remember the root of how Socialism and fascism works; from the top down. This system leaves no room for individual freedom's to be exerted. Control from the top down means your intentions get left by the wayside and you in turn support something wrong and downright evil.
Sometimes life demands we shun a system even when good people are entangled in the web. How else can freedom reign?
We must be expert linguists and listeners in order to overcome this great deception. People like William Spady find the time to weave words to further their ideology just as the snake cunningly deceived Eve with the twisting of God's words.
I'm not exactly sure who Edmund Morrison is but I like his quote:
"Like stones, words are laborious and unforgiving, and the fitting of them together, like the fitting of stones, demands great patience and strength of purpose and particular skill."
We need to be attuned to what the language user's purpose and skill support as they are building a foundation. In simple terms the saying, "sticks and stones may break our bones, but words can never hurt us," needs a revamp. Words craftily strung together can deceive, our bones may not be broken but something much worse is at stake, our souls.
Before you read it, remember the beginning post of this education journey and how I stressed the importance of words and language.
Remember William Spady's admission he was a "wordsmith"
Remember the video of the NEA stating their goal wasn't about the children but power and support of this declaration was given with standing ovation.
Now go ahead and read the article.
I'll give you a minute or two....
What a relief the superintendent knew the language was dubious and declined the grant. That he "asserts that the teachers' intent and meaning of "activism" differed from the obvious interpretation."
Let me make a point that can easily go unnoticed. Don’t let anyone fool you, just because integrity and good intention may be behind some of the teachers wanting to use this, one can’t be naive to the fact the federal government is the one who is ultimately in control and will dictate the requirements for curriculum. They may say you have the reigns but who provides the money and the framework?
Did you notice the Activist's Library? It was filled with known supporters of Marxist-Leninist, Communist ideology. 'Ahem'... Saul Alinsky.
And remember the root of how Socialism and fascism works; from the top down. This system leaves no room for individual freedom's to be exerted. Control from the top down means your intentions get left by the wayside and you in turn support something wrong and downright evil.
Sometimes life demands we shun a system even when good people are entangled in the web. How else can freedom reign?
We must be expert linguists and listeners in order to overcome this great deception. People like William Spady find the time to weave words to further their ideology just as the snake cunningly deceived Eve with the twisting of God's words.
I'm not exactly sure who Edmund Morrison is but I like his quote:
"Like stones, words are laborious and unforgiving, and the fitting of them together, like the fitting of stones, demands great patience and strength of purpose and particular skill."
We need to be attuned to what the language user's purpose and skill support as they are building a foundation. In simple terms the saying, "sticks and stones may break our bones, but words can never hurt us," needs a revamp. Words craftily strung together can deceive, our bones may not be broken but something much worse is at stake, our souls.
Friday, October 28, 2011
A Compilation For Thought
I thought these videos, although not in any organized order, have a lot of thought provoking material to compare and contrast current, modern education. This video reminds me of the saying hindsight is 20/20.
If quoted text doesn't stand out for itself, hearing from the speakers own mouth may be a little more convincing...This Interview with B.F. Skinner taped with William F. Buckley on October 2, 1971 is worth watching.
And then what about songs such as these being allowed in assemblies? Yes, the vile parts were edited but the damage is done for those kids who run home excited about a fun, upbeat song they heard at school and go on YouTube or Itunes and download the original. A parent can't be everywhere at all times to protect their children's ears. My daughter heard this song at her school for a diversity assembly and knew it was bad because earlier a child used part of it for a presidential campaign and she came home asking to hear it because a classmate told her the name of the song and said her older sister in 4th grade listens to it all the time. Where are our parents heads? A program in expression allowed this song to be used. If someone edited it they had to know the vile nature of it in the first place. How can someone send this through a system where we trust them with our children? And the fact this group promotes drugs and sex in other songs should automatically oust them from any school use whatsoever.
If quoted text doesn't stand out for itself, hearing from the speakers own mouth may be a little more convincing...This Interview with B.F. Skinner taped with William F. Buckley on October 2, 1971 is worth watching.
This next video is one of my favorites. I am an Andy Griffith fan and the lessons of integrity, honesty and working hard for something convey beautifully. I put it in here as the OBE system is one of mediocrity. The evidence of OBE's mediocrity came home in my daughter's report card for the first quarter. She received all A's. I was happy to see that but knew deep in my heart she did not do 'A' work in one of the subjects. Her homework and the tests I saw at the teacher's conference surely did not warrant an 'A', so why give one? Why lead a child and parent on in thinking everything is fine. Masking a problem with a blanket solution will only make matter's worse. (I am not the only one who noticed this unusual giving of A's) Then to make matters worse homework passes are an option. If a child is given the choice to opt out of homework that deems difficult they'll take it and they'll pay later for not knowing the basics. Or what about being told if the material frustrates you, don't do it. That is the sad reality of this system and these examples are not exaggerated and are taken from verbal accounts passed on to me.
And then what about songs such as these being allowed in assemblies? Yes, the vile parts were edited but the damage is done for those kids who run home excited about a fun, upbeat song they heard at school and go on YouTube or Itunes and download the original. A parent can't be everywhere at all times to protect their children's ears. My daughter heard this song at her school for a diversity assembly and knew it was bad because earlier a child used part of it for a presidential campaign and she came home asking to hear it because a classmate told her the name of the song and said her older sister in 4th grade listens to it all the time. Where are our parents heads? A program in expression allowed this song to be used. If someone edited it they had to know the vile nature of it in the first place. How can someone send this through a system where we trust them with our children? And the fact this group promotes drugs and sex in other songs should automatically oust them from any school use whatsoever.
BE AWARE!
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