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    theresa


    Theresa Lode or, simply “T”, had her world turned upside down and inside out when her son was diagnosed with ADHD and a few other goodies. Her choice- follow the doctor's orders....or trust her heart and delve into the world of Free Range Education. She chose the latter...

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A person you need to know

Posted on March 4, 2013 by therealmotherlode

My friend, Lisa Nielsen, really knocked it out of the park with this article, Is the Common Core and Attack on Progressive Education. 

I met Lisa on Facebook, she is the founder of an unschooling group there and I encourage you to connect with her there.  You can also find her at the Innovative Educator website.

One of the greatest things about the internet age is the ability to connect with like-minded people .  The unschooling community, in times past, has been considered a bit of a fringe group.  But no more.

When I read Lisa’s brilliant distillation of what’s going on in the world of education, not only do I learn from her, I am greatly encouraged that we unschoolers really are on to something!  The unschooling pioneers understood this and now we have the benefit of not only their testimonies, but solid research too.

What about you?  Anyone you care to give a shout out to?  Leave a comment!

theresa_sig

Filed under: education, Free Range Education, homeschooling, Public schooling | Leave a Comment »

Common-and rotten to the-Core

Posted on March 1, 2013 by therealmotherlode

Coming soon to a school near you.  Nah, scratch that.  It’s likely there already.  Resistance is futile, eh?  By 2014, they will be in full effect.

Common Core is part of the No Child Left Behind package that sounds better than it really is.  It goes something like this:

Teachers will teach from one master plan from sea to shine sea so if Johnny’s family moves from San Diego to Freeport, ME, the class in Maine will be studying the same stuff he was studying in CA.  Or so goes the theory.  Truth is, our kids and classrooms are being used as a big lab experiment…only the rats are leading the experiments.

The stuff I’m reading, from people far more versed in this stuff that I’ll ever be, is not sweet on Common Core.  Teachers and administrators alike are very concerned.

Here’s one little tidbit from this article:

President Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan often say that the Common Core standards were developed by the states and voluntarily adopted by them. This is not true. They were developed by an organization called Achieve and the National Governors Association, both of which were generously funded by the Gates Foundation. There was minimal public engagement in the development of the Common Core.

It disgusts me that it seems a lot of what’s driving “reform” is the two usual players- money and power.  There’s a LOT of money to be made in this industry, especially by the test makers and educrats touting the benefits of reform.  The conflict of interest is staggering.

Professionals with hands-on experience with kids see this for what it’s worth. It sickens me that this whole system reduces gifted teachers into test givers.  And I’m sure if parents haven’t observed this already, the pressure on kids for high stakes testing has only just begun.

If you have a child in public school, it’s important for you to have a little familiarity on the topic.  And if you’re a home educator, this should serve as another reason to NOT do “school” in your home.

Filed under: education, homeschooling, Public schooling | Tagged: , | 8 Comments »

The question that makes me cringe

Posted on February 27, 2013 by therealmotherlode

It’s a favorite question among homeschool moms.  And one asked by those curious about homeschooling.  But when I really cringe is when I hear it asked by parents of preschoolers.  Or parents with special needs’ kids.

The question?

 What curriculum do you use?  

Even Captain Picard finds that question exasperating.

GAH!!! Even Captain Picard finds that question exasperating.

For starters, the scope and sequence which defines any curriculum is arbitrary.  I mean think about it….who the hell decided all 10th graders should take geometry?

Furthermore, how it’s all diced up and compartmentalized, removes most (all?) learning out of its natural habitat.  Is it any wonder the kids are disengaged from school?

It’s not a sign that the kids need incentivizing, it’s a sign that the blasted system is irrelevant and broken beyond repair.

Folks, set aside the curriculum catalogs.  And instead of asking your self “which curriculum?” a better question is, “How is my child bent?”

And then go from there.

An extra note for parents of preschoolers-  Read, read, read.   Take nature walks.  Get a magnifying glass and microscope.  Turn off the TV.  Snuggle.  Bake cookies.  Enjoy your little one.  And fer-cryin-out-loud…stay away from curriculum!  YES!  Even those funsie looking books at Costco.

I hope I wasn’t unclear.

Here’s the best part that you get to do:

 Rediscover the wonder of learning through the eyes of your child.

 

Filed under: education, Free Range Education, homeschooling, Public schooling, The Mother Lode Project | 4 Comments »

How about if we ask the question this way?

Posted on February 25, 2013 by therealmotherlode

Instead of asking “How smart are you?” we ask “How are you smart?”

The school system can only quantify the first question.  And while a teacher may recognize a certain spark or gifting in a child, the system ties her hands from asking the second.

It’s a shame.  Academics is a sport at which only a few children excel.  The rest- the gifted artist, the boy who works well with his hands, the reflective poet, or the budding chemist who pushes the boundaries- these are often left feeling like they’re stupid.

The more I think on these things, the more insulting I find the whole system.  The subjects are arbitrary, the grading system punitive and the individual dehumanized.

As a parent, it is more important than ever to help our kids develop their inborn giftings and talents.

Asking that second question is a good place to begin.

Filed under: education, Free Range Education, homeschooling, parenting, Public schooling | 2 Comments »

This story is chilling

Posted on February 16, 2013 by therealmotherlode

This article in today’s Independent Record sent a chill down my spine.

I find this disturbing on many levels. First, once you start catering to fear, there is no end to where it will stop. So they have the doors secure….but what if evil finds its way through a window…do we bar the windows next? Security fences?   A person bent on evil will always find a way to perpetrate.  Thankfully, evil on that scale is few and far between.

The world is a dangerous place.  I bet you can name a few people, you personally know, that have fallen victim to crime.  We may as well wrap ourselves in bubble wrap while sitting in our bunkers and wait for the Big Kablooey to come.

Second, our kids are growing up in an increasing surveilled world. That fosters a false sense of security not to mention fealty to the powers that are monitoring. If you watch animals in the wild, they are attuned to danger.  I don’t think we humans are any different but we are so far removed from trusting our instincts because of western cultural training. When we dull down our instincts and hand over responsibility for being self-vigilant to a government monitoring system, I think we are at our most vulnerable.  (I’m reminded of the Jews getting herded into ghettos at the beginning of WWII.  The accounts I’ve read from survivors indicate they honestly thought things would be okay.  Or that’s what they were telling themselves anyway.)

And finally, it’s clear there’s a LOT of money to be made.  The fear industry is going to make a lot of people wealthy.

Yes, I want my kids safe.  But I’d rather resources to be spent teaching these kids to become more self-reliant and vigilant instead of being treated like potential victims.

theresa_sig

Filed under: Current events, education, Public school incidents, Public schooling | 2 Comments »

This young man gets it

Posted on February 14, 2013 by therealmotherlode

I love this article in today’s Washington Post- A 15-year-old student’s ed reform plan: Self-directed learning.

From students to teachers to parents…more and more people are waking up to the need for school reform.  And of course, the voices of opposition indicate this will not be an easily won battle.

I’ve debated with myself on how to fight this and I think I’ve come to the conclusion that dialog with like-minded parents, kids and educators is the way to go.  Discourse with the defenders and gate keepers of the system is an exercise in futility, it seems.

What do you think of that article?

Filed under: education, Free Range Education, homeschooling, Public schooling, The Mother Lode Project | 4 Comments »

The disaster of NCLB and why I advocate FREd

Posted on February 13, 2013 by therealmotherlode

chkheadavatarThis article, A warning to college profs from a high school teacher, spells out sobering assessment of what 11 years of No Child Left Behind has brought to the state of education in America.

Everyone’s a loser under NCLB.  And my concern is that the fight to bring any sanity into the desperately broken system is an exercise in futility.  At best….it would take many, many years to turn this ship around.  Just watching the battle for a simple charter school bill here in Montana reminds me of the stranglehold on money and power educrats wield.  (I heard some bantering during one hearing that completely bypassed any obligatory “it’s for the kids” talk…they went straight to ranting about money.  At least there was more transparency.)

I’m concerned over kids who are in school.  But I’m also concerned for kids how are brought home to be homeschooled.

Why?  I think it’s important for parents to clarify why they’re homeschooling otherwise they just end up mimicking what the public schools are doing.  That is not a good plan.

I love Free Range Education (FREd) because it is pretty much the opposite of the NCLB-driven, factory model for school.  Children are not regarded as data points. Learning is organic.  And relationships are valued above all.

You can read more about FREd here.

Q4U: What do you think the high school teacher’s warning to college profs?

Filed under: education, Free Range Education, Public schooling, The Mother Lode Project | 2 Comments »

Should I pull my kid out of school?

Posted on February 11, 2013 by therealmotherlode

Should I pull my kid out of school?  This is a common question I get asked.

Usually, the issue is pushed when a child’s had a bad experience…or is just miserable. (We pulled Molly out of school this past semester for the “miserable” reason.)  Or it could be you’re tired of fighting an adversarial system and its gatekeepers.

Here’s a few things to consider, starting with the simplest solutions:

How’s your relationship with your child?  I think this is, bar none, the most important consideration.  If getting out the door every morning is fraught with frustration and battles…start here.  I strongly recommend the parenting resources at Love and Logic.

Are you communicating with teachers?  This is the easiest solution.  I’ve found *most* teachers will bend over backwards to help.  Ditto for administration.

Are there other school options?  Public schools are slowly getting the memo that many people are unhappy and are trying to recoup their lost market via alternative or online options. And if you’re lucky to be in a state that allows charter schools….check it out. I LOVE charter schools.  If your budget allows and the values are consistent with yours, consider a private school

Is home schooling an option?  I’m a huge advocate of home education but I realize it’s not for everyone.  But if you think it might be…consider it. And then consider it more.  Know that even working single moms, with special need’s kids,  pull this off successfully.  I’ve known families where both parents worked and they’ve  homeschooled.

Having said all this my biggest word of advice- TRUST YOUR GUT.  If you think your child is in crisis and your gut says get him out NOW….Do it!  All too often we quell our parental instincts because we’re so trained to follow the cow path set before us.

If you pulled your child out for a period of time to sort things out…that is a valid option too.  And trust me- you’re not jeopardizing his future.  If he goes back into school, he’ll get right back into things with nary a hiccup.

Have any questions or comments on this?  I’d love to hear from you!

theresa_sig

 

Filed under: education, homeschooling, Public schooling, The Mother Lode Project | Leave a Comment »

Will this be on the test?

Posted on February 5, 2013 by therealmotherlode

testOne of the scariest things about leaving the well-worn path of traditional (as in industrial-era) schooling is forsaking the usual metrics of education- standardized tests, reports cards, tests, etc.

Some parents are simply unable to make the break, it’s just too damn scary.  How will we know how little Frank is faring?

Now granted…some markers are important.  ESPECIALLY if your kid has learning challenges.  But I think they’re far fewer than the educrats would have us to believe.  (The conflict of interest behind the producers of standardized tests and the laws driving mandatory testing is staggering but that’s for another post.)

It’s important to allow our kids to color outside the lines.  To understand that a good question is oft times more important than a good answer.  And that if your kid’s more concerned about “will this be on the test” vs learning (there IS a difference,) it’s probably time to cast a critical eye at how you your kid’s been schooled.  (Hint:  Just because you homeschool doesn’t mean you’re exempt.  It may even be more important to consider this.)

theresa_sig

Filed under: education, Free Range Education, homeschooling, Public schooling | Leave a Comment »

Is “I hate school” training for “I hate my job?”

Posted on May 9, 2011 by therealmotherlode

Do you know someone who hates their job?   You probably do.  I spoke with one over the weekend.  My young friend, a college graduate, hates her job.  At 25, she feels trapped and overwhelmed.  But yet she trudges off to her job to earn her very modest income because she has student loan debt.  Her dreams will have to be put on hold.  That is, if she can keep them alive. She comes home from her job each day so exhausted, she has no energy to look for other opportunities.  Or to create one for that matter.

Yes, these are difficult times in the job market.  And many would commend her for sticking it out.

I’m not one of them.

I encouraged her to run for her life.  Literally.

I meet too many people who started out like my young friend, 20-some years ago and today they are passed even feeling trapped.  They’re shut down inside and can’t figure out why they’re so unhappy with their lives.  They molder at jobs they despise and bosses they barely tolerate.

We are so trained in our culture to “do the responsible thing,” yes, even if it means a stress-related illness.  “Be thankful you have a job,” we tell people.  Hey- I get that.  We were unemployed for six months last year!

But there’s something seriously wrong with this picture.  Especially when we no longer question the insanity of this all-too-accepted reality.

This isn’t an easy road to follow.  Mother Superior from The Sound of Music isn’t going to appear and serenade you with her soul-stirring rendition of “Climb Every Mountain.”  It takes intentionality and a lot of work.

Like the frog in the pot of hot water, people are trained to grow accustomed to their misery.

I believe the training starts in school.

Filed under: education, Goal Setting, Personal development, Public schooling, The Mother Lode Project | Leave a Comment »

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