Intelligent education for intelligent children

[bhead51]

Stuffy, I assume by posting the inquiry that you take seriously your children\'s future and realize how incredibly important it effects their future.  Please DO take this seriously, because I believe it\'s more important than 99% realize.

To start, I HIGHLY recommend you check out the material of John Taylor Gatto.  He was teacher of the year in New York 3 times before quitting out of frustration for how bad the compulsory educational system is (not just the public, but most of the private, too).  His book is free online:

http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/underground/index.htm - his most comprehensive book, free online...

http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/historytour/history1.htm

Some audio speeches can be found online, as well:

http://www.radio4all.net/dl.php/johngottomixdown.mp3?file_id=15100&protocol=http&;

http://www.abc.net.au/perth/stories/m955290.ram

http://www.radio4all.net/index.php?op=search&nav=&session=&searchtext=gatto

The first audio link is a lecture given to homeschoolers if I recall correctly.

Check it out, and please let me know what you think.  No matter what you decide, learn about the history of the American educational system (based off the Prussian model) and make the best choice you feel is right.
__________________________________________

PS - One last link, is a loaded 30min lecture given by a professor about marketing to children.  It\'s DISGUSTING!  For example, they have presonality associations to brand names now by the age of three!  If you\'re interested, check it out.

http://www.radio4all.net/dl.php/91-1-20050309-juliet_schor.mp3?file_id=20801&protocol=http&;

I don\'t have children yet, but please do let me know what you think...
- bhead51

[stuffyrandL]

Hey, it\'s been crazy here but wanted to post that my girl is settling in very well at her new school now.  She found the art teacher and the music teacher and, as she puts it, they "get along".   Her teacher is also older and more experienced than last year so she\'s much more supportive.   She was stoked last week because she was chosen to demonstrate some art technique at the district wide education fair.  She was the only one chosen from her class.  She did a great job.  Her confidence grows more each day.  One way I see this is she finally cut her hair.  The golden security blanket.  She came home from school and said she wanted to give it to kids with no hair.  So, Locks of Love will be receiving 13 inches of hair.  I\'m happy to see her happy.  And thanks for all the advice and opinions here.  It was so kind of all of you.  

[stuffyrandL]

Bhead51,  thanks for the info.  I will be checking it out tomorrow but I have to turn in now.  It\'s almost midnight here and while I usually prowl all night, it was a rainy day and we splashed in a few too many puddles today.  To all, try it!  It never fails to make my kids and me laugh.  Splash and splash while singing "Raindrops keep fallin\' on my head"  or  "Just singin\' and swingin\' in the rain".  It\'ll even make the neighbors smile.   I promise to check those links out tomorrow Bhead51.  Thanks again!  

[gkg]

hooorah for your daughter!  i\'m very glad to know she\'s flourishing!!

jumping about in the rain is a marvelous antidote for many things.  

[stuffyrandL]

Unfortunately, I\'ve beat up my body enough that getting wet and cold is something I pay for days later.  They had a blast, though.  It\'s all good.