Book description from homeschooloasis.com
This book, written by the 1992 New York State “Teacher of the Year,” and a public school teacher for over 25 years, reveals what is really being taught in the public schools, not so much in the curriculum, but via the whole system itself, and how it affects kids, their creativity, their mindsets, their desire to learn. It is eye-opening and enlightening.
It is not written from a Christian perspective nor by a Christian, but this actually adds to its credibility and ability to convince a non-Christian spouse of some things that will make homeschooling look all the more logical and wise a choice.
Points that imacted me most:
This is one of the most impressive books I have ever read. This is a book that I think every parent , homeschooling or not, should read. My points are just a glimpse of this this powerful read. There is no way I can adequately express the important concepts he so convincingly states.
I dropped the idea that I was an expert whose job it was to fill the little heads with my expertise, and began to explore how I could remove those obstacles that prevented the inherent genius of children from gathering itself.
Schools take our children away from active participation in community.
Senator Ted Kennedy released a paper that stated that prior to compulsory education, the state literacy rate was 98% and after that, it has never exceeded 91%.
It is absurd and anti-life to be a part of a system that compels you to sit in confinement with people the exact age and social class.
7 Lesson Schoolteacher
Confusion-subjects are taught out of context or connection.
Indifference-Teachers aren't in a position to care too much.
Emotional dependency
Intellectual dependency-wait for the teacher to tell you what to do
Provisional self esteem-need to be told what you are worth
One can't hide-There is no private space. Always under surveillance.
These lessons are prime training for permanent under-classes. People deprived forever of finding the center of their own special genius.
Television and schooling reduce the real world of wisdom, fortitude, temperance, and justice to a never-ending, nonstop distraction.
In centuries past, the time of childhood and adolescence would have been occupied in real work, real charity, real adventures, and the realistic search for mentors who might teach what you really wanted to learn. A great deal of time was spent in community pursuits, practicing affection, meeting and studying every level of the community, learning how to make a home, and dozens other tasks necessary to becoming a whole man or woman.
Self knowledge is the only basis of true knowledge. Place the child in an unguided setting with a problem to solve.
Community service needs to be a part of schooling. Teaches unselfishness and real responsibility.
This is one I’ve always wanted to read. After your review, I KNOW I need to read it.
Thanks for sharing!
Blessings,
Amy
I had no idea that this book existed. I wish I had known about it earlier. Having been a full-time working mom for so long, I haven't read much of anything in years, but I knew that I was not happy at all with my children's education, or experiences in general at both public and private schools. The only thing I just realized last night, though, is that by pulling her out of school to homeschool, I deprived my daughter of daily contact with her best friend at her school. They speak on the phone, but it's not the same. I have spoken to the girl's mother, and she seems interested in arranging play dates, at least. My son has always had trouble making friends, though he had a few this year, but he doesn't seem to miss them much. Anyway, I need to read this book for some encouragement, I think. Thanks for the review. I sent copies of it to relatives and friends of mine. I hope you don't mind. I stated that it was written by Leigh, a homeschooling mom in Washington State.
Edited by BerryGirlyMom on October 25, 2006 at 5:29 AM