Lets plant some trees!
It is interesting how we never learned most of what we needed to learn about life and money and making it work together.We learned math, English, history some science but it was never brought into the arena of just how all of this applied to the “outside” world.
Could it be that the educators of the world don’t know?My first guess now would be a resounding YES!There is an old expression that says, “Those who can, do; those who can't, teach.”This is very disparaging for the teaching profession.Teachers, I was one, do know about their subject matter but so many teach only that subject and not how any of it really works in the real world.I remember in geometry class that I had know idea where I would use any of this stuff.I ended up being a carpenter/cabinet maker for part of my life!Who knew?
My biggest complaint with the educational system is in all the years that I spent in school, I never learned how to learn.Isn’t that goofy?Or, isn’t that a supreme lack in the system?We are taught to spit back the information in the right way and get the grade then move on.Learning how to learn and learn how to make it work on the outside should be paramount.The thing that we learn on the outside is that we are ill prepared for the life we want to lead.To be a success and not be in the trap of working in the “box” that we were trained to do.We get out and we need to learn as we are running down the path of life.Hopefully we don’t trip and we catch on to know what we need to do enough to keep going with the hope that we will make it to the end still standing.
The book, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, talks about the things that we should have been taught about making our way in the world.I came onto the WA site and there were a number of posts about the very thing I am reading about today.There is a synchronicity in life and if we pay attention.Things come to us when we are ready to learn (some of us our slow learners!)We think back and realize that some of these things were there all along.The important thing is not to kick ourselves for not learning before but paying attention and learn NOW.
I left a comment earlier today that was an old quote.“The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago, the second best time is now.”What this means is grab the opportunities as they show themselves.Now is the time to learn and now is the time to do.
Let us all grab hold of these opportunities, learn and share them with the rest of the community.
Best of success to us all! Lets plant some trees!
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The schools I went to were overwhelmed with student to teacher ratio and most everything was geared to making high scores to eventually get into college.
So the focus was on what was on the entrance exams.
I clepped out of all my 1st year college courses but math and history -- so it sort of worked for me, but looking back, the pressure was insane! Too much fear of failure being driven into you!
Some of the best programs (looking back) were probably shop, 4-h, and home economics that taught basic skills. But many of us were much too busy trying to memorize and cram the more technical data we'd need to regurgitate back out on a 2-3 hour entrance exam.
So I think it was the best the educators could do at the time, considering the goal was getting everyone they could into the college doors. And the higher the scores the better the college, and/or you could get scholarships to help pay the costs.
I have no idea how it works these days -- but I believe there is less emphasis on "you must get to college or your life will be ruined" pressure!
The home schoolers, as long as there is socializing and not isolation I think it could be the best of two worlds, but I'm definitely no expert -- however I have relatives that home school and their kids are basically isolated 7 days a week and I wonder how they will respond when they do get out their protected environment. Moderation of the isolation, blending with contact with other kids from other cultures I think would be a better approach in that instance.
In my area of Chicago I ran the tech side of an Arts Center. There were several home school group activities that came to our productions. As you say, we all need to interact more. For us, it is good to have forums to interact with rather than bumbling around in the dark. Peace!
Great post, Don. Tis why I homeschool. ;-)
You are so correct - when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. And so we have all found WAU. Best to you in 2014 and beyond!
Awesome blog, Don. I agree that we are not taught to learn in schools. We're not taught to research either--many of my younger family members (nephews) went from average grades to "A's" when I taught them how to do research and write a report. They were all in grade 7 to junior high when I taught them. Where were the teachers?
I would say more but I need to go plant another tree...
Thanks for the response. I see part of the problem is the "teachers teaching teachers teaching teachers! We need to help each other as we learn ourselves. The tide rises for all of us! Good luck with your trees!
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Sounds all too familiar, there will never be 'the perfect time'. Nothing is ever finished, and when the student is ready the teacher appears.