See more colourful pictures at Color Carnival
See more flower pictures at Today's Flowers
31 July 2009
30 July 2009
Friends
You Capture is a weekly photo challenge at I Should Be Folding Laundry. This week's challenge is Friends.
Sunnyboy and Little Friend
See more Love Thursdays at Chookooloonks
Sunnyboy and Little Friend
See more Love Thursdays at Chookooloonks
29 July 2009
Everything is OK on the Happy Carriage
Featuring a two and a half year old teacher of happiness.
'Civil disobedience, that is not our problem. Our problem is that people are obedient all over the world in the face of poverty and starvation and stupidity, and war, and cruelty. Our problem is that people are obedient while the jails are full of petty thieves, and all the while the grand thieves are running the country. That's our problem.'
- Howard Zinn
See more at The CVEITCH Channel
'Civil disobedience, that is not our problem. Our problem is that people are obedient all over the world in the face of poverty and starvation and stupidity, and war, and cruelty. Our problem is that people are obedient while the jails are full of petty thieves, and all the while the grand thieves are running the country. That's our problem.'
- Howard Zinn
See more at The CVEITCH Channel
Best kept secret
Corner View is hosted by Spain Daily and we are invited to post pictures telling the stories of our different lives and cultures. This week's theme is 'Best kept secret'. In our house the best kept secrets are in this cupboard. It's a long time since we've seen what's at the back of it. Recently I had to get something from near the back so I just climbed over the piles of bags and boxes.
Corner Views from around the world:
Corner Views from around the world:
jane, ladybug-zen, ian, bonnie, esti, sophie, cele, modsquad, caitlin, joyce, ani, kim, a day that is dessert, natsumi, epe, kaylovesvintage, trinsch, c.t., jeannette, outi, schanett, ritva, francesca, state of bliss, jennifer, dana, denise, cabrizette, bohemia girl, dianna, isabelle, amber, a girl in the yellow shoes, mister e, janis, kari, jgy, skymring, elizabeth, audrey, allison, lise, cate, mon, victoria, crescent moon, erin, otli, amy, ida, caroline, lisa, dorte, kimmie, la lune dans le ciel, nicola, malo, vanessa, britta, virgina, april, b, kyndale samantha, karen, kristina, dorit, goldensunfamily, sophie, janet, mcgillicutty, desiree, di, travelingmama, aimee, sunnymama, amanda, ali, jenell, guusje, britta, juanita, pamela, inna, daan, myrtille, cris, ibb, susi, jodi, lily, gillian, jeanette, athena, pienduzz, latisha, clairette, kelleyn, iris, demara, mus, ninja, guusje, di, cam, amy
In the woods
This is what we found when we went for a walk in the woods recently.
See more outdoor pictures at Outdoor Wednesday
See more Friday's Nature Tables at The Magic Onions
See more outdoor pictures at Outdoor Wednesday
See more Friday's Nature Tables at The Magic Onions
28 July 2009
Pet Parade
Wednesday 29th July is the Pet Parade Summer Edition at Planet M Files and red or gray depends on the day. We don't have a pet so our entry is next-door's cat.
27 July 2009
Toy storage in a small space - Part 2
I've posted before about toy storage in our small, cozy flat and another way we store toys is by using a wooden box as a coffee table.
Inside the box are Sunnyboy's dressing up clothes.
It's also used among other things as a play table, an art table, a boat and for jumping off.
There are more ideas for toy storage in a small space in these posts:
Toy storage in a small space - Part 1
Puzzle storage
An art easel in a small space
An art display in a small space
Frugal play kitchen
Folding trampoline
Click here to see the play, crafts and learning ideas blog link-ups we share at.
See more Make-Do Mondays at Ann Kroeker's blog (Saturday is the official release date of Ann's new book, Not So Fast: Slow-Down Solutions for Frenzied Families)
Inside the box are Sunnyboy's dressing up clothes.
It's also used among other things as a play table, an art table, a boat and for jumping off.
There are more ideas for toy storage in a small space in these posts:
Toy storage in a small space - Part 1
Puzzle storage
An art easel in a small space
An art display in a small space
Frugal play kitchen
Folding trampoline
Click here to see the play, crafts and learning ideas blog link-ups we share at.
See more Make-Do Mondays at Ann Kroeker's blog (Saturday is the official release date of Ann's new book, Not So Fast: Slow-Down Solutions for Frenzied Families)
The War on Kids
Trailer for the movie The War on Kids, winner of the Best Educational Documentary at the New York Independent Film and Video Festival.
The War On Kids is a documentary on the oppression of children in America and how attitudes in society and media as well as the punitive actions that follow, are getting intensely more abusive.
Thanks to Aspie Home-Education for posting this.
The War On Kids is a documentary on the oppression of children in America and how attitudes in society and media as well as the punitive actions that follow, are getting intensely more abusive.
Thanks to Aspie Home-Education for posting this.
London Unschooling Conference
On Saturday we went to the 1st Annual London Unschooling Conference.
Before we left:
Sunnyboy - "Are we going to a charity shop?"
Me - "No, we're going on the train to London for the Unschooling Conference."
Sunnyboy - "Is there a charity shop next to it?"
It was so wonderful to meet other unschoolers and Dayna Martin's 'Introduction to Unschooling' keynote speech was very inspiring, as were her circle talks 'Common Unschooling Challenges' and 'From Control to Connection'. I got a copy of Dayna's new book Radical Unschooling - A Revolution Has Begun and, although I've only read the first few pages so far, here's a quote I love already,
Sunnyboy had a great time with his Nana (who came with us), playing with all the lovely toys set up in the playroom and making friends with the other children there. He also enjoyed climbing up and down the stairs to visit me during the circle talks held outside on the pavement (we live in a ground floor flat so stairs have always been fascinating to Sunnyboy).
In bed at the end of the day:
Sunnyboy - "I need to tell you something mama. I like the train set at the, um, um, you tell me mama."
Me - "at the unschooling conference?"
Sunnyboy - "Yes, that's it. I like the train set at the unschooling conference."
*Operation You is the home of Inspirational Monday. You can get more inspiration there and are invited to stop by and post your links of inspiration.
Before we left:
Sunnyboy - "Are we going to a charity shop?"
Me - "No, we're going on the train to London for the Unschooling Conference."
Sunnyboy - "Is there a charity shop next to it?"
It was so wonderful to meet other unschoolers and Dayna Martin's 'Introduction to Unschooling' keynote speech was very inspiring, as were her circle talks 'Common Unschooling Challenges' and 'From Control to Connection'. I got a copy of Dayna's new book Radical Unschooling - A Revolution Has Begun and, although I've only read the first few pages so far, here's a quote I love already,
'Yes, this might sound strange at first, but as the old saying goes, Don't believe everything you think. Children do not need to be forced to learn, ever. They never need to be punished, or motivated by grades to learn what they need in life to be successful and happy. Children never need to jump through the hoops, like most kids in our culture do, to get from point A to point B. Open your eyes and see how brainwashed we truly are in our culture about what we think education and parenting are. It's time to embrace the paradigm shift and evolve as a parent. Your children deserve it!'I also went to Sandra Dodd's talk about 'Unforeseen Benefits of Unschooling', a fascinating talk by Sophia Woodley on 'Unschooling in British History' and there was a group discussion of the Badman Report at the end of the conference.
Sunnyboy had a great time with his Nana (who came with us), playing with all the lovely toys set up in the playroom and making friends with the other children there. He also enjoyed climbing up and down the stairs to visit me during the circle talks held outside on the pavement (we live in a ground floor flat so stairs have always been fascinating to Sunnyboy).
In bed at the end of the day:
Sunnyboy - "I need to tell you something mama. I like the train set at the, um, um, you tell me mama."
Me - "at the unschooling conference?"
Sunnyboy - "Yes, that's it. I like the train set at the unschooling conference."
*Operation You is the home of Inspirational Monday. You can get more inspiration there and are invited to stop by and post your links of inspiration.
Making a stand for the under 3s
Oliver James
Selfish Capitalist Lectures 2/3
24/01/2008
This event features Madeline Bunting and is entitled "Making a stand for the under 3s. Correcting New Labour's Childcare and Education Polices".
Daycare believers - In saying that single mothers should go back to work, the government is trying to convince us that only paid employment confers dignity.
Selfish Capitalist Lectures 2/3
24/01/2008
This event features Madeline Bunting and is entitled "Making a stand for the under 3s. Correcting New Labour's Childcare and Education Polices".
Daycare believers - In saying that single mothers should go back to work, the government is trying to convince us that only paid employment confers dignity.
26 July 2009
24 July 2009
Humanity's Expression
'The resistance is now. You are free.'
The CVEITCH Channel
*The inspiration for Conscious Friday comes from Se'Lah at Necessary Room.
The CVEITCH Channel
*The inspiration for Conscious Friday comes from Se'Lah at Necessary Room.
Under-18s targeted over fears for welfare
Under-18s targeted over fears for welfareFull article here.
Published Date:
23 July 2009
By Gareth Bethell
Police are to stop young people on the streets and take them away to answer questions.
In a controversial operation, extra officers will be drafted into Paulsgrove, Portsmouth, to talk to under-18s from 5pm tomorrow.
The youngsters will be asked to accompany officers to face a panel of experts, including health workers and social services staff, who will question them about their welfare...
Portsmouth City Council has been given money by the Department for Children, Schools and Families to fund the operation...
Is this for real?
Chomsky on Education
Noam Chomsky speaking on the Manufacture of Consent; March 1990, in Wisconsin. It was aired on the cable program Alternative Views in 1991.
22 July 2009
"Let him go and come freely, let him touch real things..."
"I am beginning to suspect all elaborate and special systems of education. They seem to me to be built upon the supposition that every child is a kind of idiot who must be taught to think. Whereas, if the child is left to himself, he will think more and better, if less showily. Let him go and come freely, let him touch real things and combine his impressions for himself, instead of sitting indoors at a little round table, while a sweet-voiced teacher suggests that he build a stone wall with his wooden blocks, or make a rainbow out of strips of coloured paper, or plant straw trees in bead flower-pots. Such teaching fills the mind with artificial associations that must be got rid of, before the child can develop independent ideas out of actual experience."
Anne Sullivan
Anne Sullivan
Weekend evenings
Corner View is hosted by Spain Daily and we are invited to post pictures telling the stories of our different lives and cultures. This week's theme is 'Weekend evenings: 7.45pm Friday, Saturday & Sunday'.
7.45pm Friday
7.45pm Saturday
7.45pm Sunday
Corner Views from around the world:
7.45pm Friday
7.45pm Saturday
7.45pm Sunday
Corner Views from around the world:
jane, ladybug-zen, ian, bonnie, esti, sophie, cele, modsquad, caitlin, joyce, ani, kim, a day that is dessert, natsumi, epe, kaylovesvintage, trinsch, c.t., jeannette, outi, schanett, ritva, francesca, state of bliss, jennifer, dana, denise, cabrizette, bohemia girl, dianna, isabelle, amber, a girl in the yellow shoes, mister e, janis, kari, jgy, skymring, elizabeth, audrey, allison, lise, cate, mon, victoria, crescent moon, erin, otli, amy, ida, caroline, lisa, dorte, kimmie, la lune dans le ciel, nicola, malo, vanessa, britta, virgina, april, b, kyndale samantha, karen, kristina, dorit, goldensunfamily, sophie, janet, mcgillicutty, desiree, di, travelingmama, aimee, sunnymama, amanda, ali, jenell, guusje, britta, juanita, pamela, inna, daan, myrtille, cris, ibb, susi, jodi, lily, gillian, jeanette, athena, pienduzz, latisha, clairette, kelleyn, iris, demara, cam, amy
A boat trip
Sunnyboy has been asking to go on a boat for a while and on Saturday we went on a river cruise with Sunnyboy's Nana and Grandad.
See more outdoor pictures at Outdoor Wednesday
See more watery pictures at Watery Wednesday
See more outdoor pictures at Outdoor Wednesday
See more watery pictures at Watery Wednesday
20 July 2009
The Journal of Home Education
Today in the post I received Issue 13 of The Journal of Home Education - a Badman Report Special.
CONTENTS:
Editorial 3
When ‘education, education, education’ becomes ‘control, control, control’ Dr Jan Fortune-Wood 4
A Case Study Ruth Charles 15
BECTA, Badman and informal learning 17
School is Not Compulsory - Education is. Liz Jolly 18
Why point the finger at home-educators? Bernard Trafford (chairman of the headmasters and mistresses conference) 20
Letter to Lord Lucas on Home education Jackie Parsons 22
Why I like Autonomous education Rebekah & Martin 23
The Children's Plan and You - 21st Century Schools Roxane Featherstone 26
British Humanist v Church of England Dr Jan Fortune-Wood 29
Home Education – My experience Lin Kennedy 37
Learning to read by 8 – A Badman Target 40
A Case Study 42
When Rights Become Wrongs Mike Fortune-Wood 44
“I can find no evidence..." says Graham Badman 50
A Letter to Mr Balls, from a large group of home educators 51
Local Authorities – our children’s voice? Jan Fortune-Wood 55
Stirner Contra Badman Rowan Fortune-Wood 60
A Family story Beverley Smith 63
False Positives in the hunt for child abuse 67
The NSPCC Apology 69
Reflections of Lumb Bank Home Educated Young People’s Course February 23-28th, 2009 71
The Dinner Table By Daniel Tramer February 2009 73
The Real Picture Home Educators at the Arvon Foundation’s Lumb Bank Centre By Jan Fortune-Wood 74
Looking for a Destination Esme Nichol 75
Support Listings 77
Home Education: The Journal of Home Education in the UK & Beyond is edited by Mike Fortune-Wood (Home Education UK) and can be ordered here.
CONTENTS:
Editorial 3
When ‘education, education, education’ becomes ‘control, control, control’ Dr Jan Fortune-Wood 4
A Case Study Ruth Charles 15
BECTA, Badman and informal learning 17
School is Not Compulsory - Education is. Liz Jolly 18
Why point the finger at home-educators? Bernard Trafford (chairman of the headmasters and mistresses conference) 20
Letter to Lord Lucas on Home education Jackie Parsons 22
Why I like Autonomous education Rebekah & Martin 23
The Children's Plan and You - 21st Century Schools Roxane Featherstone 26
British Humanist v Church of England Dr Jan Fortune-Wood 29
Home Education – My experience Lin Kennedy 37
Learning to read by 8 – A Badman Target 40
A Case Study 42
When Rights Become Wrongs Mike Fortune-Wood 44
“I can find no evidence..." says Graham Badman 50
A Letter to Mr Balls, from a large group of home educators 51
Local Authorities – our children’s voice? Jan Fortune-Wood 55
Stirner Contra Badman Rowan Fortune-Wood 60
A Family story Beverley Smith 63
False Positives in the hunt for child abuse 67
The NSPCC Apology 69
Reflections of Lumb Bank Home Educated Young People’s Course February 23-28th, 2009 71
The Dinner Table By Daniel Tramer February 2009 73
The Real Picture Home Educators at the Arvon Foundation’s Lumb Bank Centre By Jan Fortune-Wood 74
Looking for a Destination Esme Nichol 75
Support Listings 77
Home Education: The Journal of Home Education in the UK & Beyond is edited by Mike Fortune-Wood (Home Education UK) and can be ordered here.
Classrooms of the Heart
"When you take the free will out of education, that turns it into schooling."
"Our form of schooling creates an abundance of social pathologies and contradicts the way children actually learn- sacrificing human potential to an obsession with hierarchy, order, routine, surveillance, and the creation of lifelong dependence on "expert" authority."
"I’ve concluded that genius is as common as dirt. We suppress our genius only because we haven’t yet figured out how to manage a population of educated men and women. The solution, I think, is simple and glorious. Let them manage themselves."
This short documentary profiles the visionary school teacher John Taylor Gatto.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling (1992).
The Exhausted School (1993).
A Different Kind of Teacher: Solving the Crisis of American Schooling (2000).
The Underground History of American Education (2001). (Complete Text online)
Weapons of Mass Instruction: A Schoolteacher's Journey through the Dark World of Compulsory Schooling (2008).
The Six-Lesson Schoolteacher - originally published in Whole Earth Review, Fall 1991
Against School - originally published in Harper's Magazine, September 2003
Childhood's End (an edited excerpt from Weapons of Mass Instruction) - Ode Magazine, October 2008
Audio Clip: “The Paradox of Extended Childhood” ~ a Gatto Lecture at Cambridge, Massachusetts
Audio Clip: John Gatto on Public Education
*Operation You is the home of Inspirational Monday. You can get more inspiration there and are invited to stop by and post your links of inspiration.
"Our form of schooling creates an abundance of social pathologies and contradicts the way children actually learn- sacrificing human potential to an obsession with hierarchy, order, routine, surveillance, and the creation of lifelong dependence on "expert" authority."
"I’ve concluded that genius is as common as dirt. We suppress our genius only because we haven’t yet figured out how to manage a population of educated men and women. The solution, I think, is simple and glorious. Let them manage themselves."
This short documentary profiles the visionary school teacher John Taylor Gatto.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling (1992).
The Exhausted School (1993).
A Different Kind of Teacher: Solving the Crisis of American Schooling (2000).
The Underground History of American Education (2001). (Complete Text online)
Weapons of Mass Instruction: A Schoolteacher's Journey through the Dark World of Compulsory Schooling (2008).
The Six-Lesson Schoolteacher - originally published in Whole Earth Review, Fall 1991
Against School - originally published in Harper's Magazine, September 2003
Childhood's End (an edited excerpt from Weapons of Mass Instruction) - Ode Magazine, October 2008
Audio Clip: “The Paradox of Extended Childhood” ~ a Gatto Lecture at Cambridge, Massachusetts
Audio Clip: John Gatto on Public Education
*Operation You is the home of Inspirational Monday. You can get more inspiration there and are invited to stop by and post your links of inspiration.
17 July 2009
Nurture For Nature
Nurture For Nature by Kali Wendorf
Resurgence, Issue 254 May/June 2009
'A peaceful, sustainable world is possible. The effort required to adjust how we collectively meet the optimal developmental needs of children is minute in comparison to the cost of fighting wars and decimating forests. Our commitment to nurture will most certainly begin to heal Nature, and create a just, sane and compassionate future.'
Click on the text above to read the full article.
Kali Wendorf is the founding editor of Kindred, a sustainable family living magazine.
www.kindredcommunity.com
*The inspiration for Conscious Friday comes from Se'Lah at Necessary Room.
Resurgence, Issue 254 May/June 2009
'A peaceful, sustainable world is possible. The effort required to adjust how we collectively meet the optimal developmental needs of children is minute in comparison to the cost of fighting wars and decimating forests. Our commitment to nurture will most certainly begin to heal Nature, and create a just, sane and compassionate future.'
Click on the text above to read the full article.
Kali Wendorf is the founding editor of Kindred, a sustainable family living magazine.
www.kindredcommunity.com
*The inspiration for Conscious Friday comes from Se'Lah at Necessary Room.
16 July 2009
Summer nature basket
I'm late posting this but here's our summer nature basket.
Nature table links:
A Waldorf Nature Table is a Wonderful Addition to Any Home
Flickr: the nature table
Click here to see the play, crafts and learning ideas blog link-ups we share at.
Nature table links:
A Waldorf Nature Table is a Wonderful Addition to Any Home
Flickr: the nature table
Click here to see the play, crafts and learning ideas blog link-ups we share at.
