An insightful talk on understanding the stages of development of the American Muslim child and grappling with one’s identity formation by Dr Sherman Jackson.
Understanding the need for mastery
•February 14, 2013 • Leave a Comment
Image source can be found here.
The IL-legalities of Homeschooling
•February 14, 2013 • 2 Comments“Those of us who homeschool should be concerned because the Attorney General of the United States, Eric Holder, in the government’s arguments essentially said that he believes that a law that bans homeschooling would violate no fundamental liberties.”
Full article can be found here.
I have been following the story of the Romike family quite closely, as I am sure other homeschooling, unschooling, home education advocates, and advocates for the freedom to choose the education for our children are as well. Holder wants to deport the German homeschoolers who claimed asylum here, as homeschooling is forbidden in Germany. His argument is worrisome. I am seriously concerned as should all homeschoolers be in the US.
It’s scary and frustrating to think that this could possibly be in our future. That as an educator, a parent and a homeschooler, I could be forced to choose a method of education that I am not comfortable with and that is quite disconcerting. I feel that this erodes the rights of the parent who know what their child needs. To have that option, is a fundamental right. To be taught in a loving home by your parent or caregiver should be the right of any child.
In the original piece by Michael Farris, founder and chairman of Homeschooling Legal Defense Association, he states,
“It is thought control. It is belief control. It is totalitarianism dressed up in politically correct lingo.”
It’s frightening to think that banning homeschooling may not be considered a violation of fundamental rights. I am not against school, I am simply for a parent’s right to choose the type of education they feel is best for their child.
Mr Farris said it best,
“It is important that Americans stand up for the rights of German homeschooling families. In so doing, we stand up for our own.”
What are your thoughts on this? As homeschoolers? As educators?
•February 12, 2013 • Leave a Comment
A different kind of ‘high-stakes testing.’
They should be in school, but are instead out taking a walk. Seven of them started
and now, ages ranging from 11 to 21, there are 26 of them.
Truants! They should be in school — that is, a “normal” students-in-a-box a school where they can be kept safe from undue influences. Instead, they are trekking from Hudson Bay to Ottawa (~1,300 kilometers).
The walk is a course in politics — the First Nations of Canada continue to fight against assimilation projects and programs. They are in an “open-air” school learning to walk “The Red Path”. I wonder if those kids will learn anything beyond what they already know…
This is a truly “High Stakes” test — they could die.
I am somebody
•February 12, 2013 • Leave a CommentAn inspirational and empowering post by Hijabi Footballer on the Street Child World Cup. For a child to know that they mean something to someone, that they have value based simply on them being who they are can be one of the most empowering and influential narratives in their lives.
“Street children are a reality and a constant in a countries filled with poverty, class-inequality and lack of access for children living on the street.
That their potential is recognized and their achievements celebrated is a potentially life-changing and empowering thing.
SCWC works with local partnership organizations to ensure that there the kids are helped and have access to supports once home.
Each country entering a must have at least one girl on their squad.
It may seem incredulous to find a girl in some of these situations. One who is able to play with the boys, despite the poverty, challenges, against culture in some cases and represent her country at an international tournament.
It is possible.
The children also get to attend workshops on safety, education and community engagement.
This is mentally and psychologically stimulating the children and associating success and freedom with football and with schooling.”
More info can be found here.
Happy Birthday to the Jibbers
•February 11, 2013 • 4 CommentsWhy momma? Why? Why? Why? Why Momma? Why? And then what happens? Why? Why momma? Why? Why? Why? Why Momma? Why? And then what happens? Why? What’s that Momma? Why momma? Why? Why? Why? Why Momma? Why? And then what happens? Why? Why momma? Why? Why? Why? Why Momma? Why? And then what happens? Why? Why momma? Why? Why? Why? Why Momma? Why? And then what happens? Why? …..
Image source and a great attitude towards parenting preschoolers can be found here.
To be a child
•February 11, 2013 • Leave a Comment
“Know you what it is to be a child? It is to be something very different from the man of to-day. It is to have a spirit yet streaming from the waters of baptism; it is to believe in love, to believe in loveliness, to believe in belief; it is to be so little that the elves can reach to whisper in your ear; it is to turn pumpkins into coaches, and mice into horses, lowness into loftiness, and nothing into everything, for each child has its fairy godmother in its own soul.”
~ Francis Thompson, English Poet and Writer, 1859-1907
Quote source can be found here.
The Best Imitators
•February 8, 2013 • 3 Comments“Children are educated by what the grown-up is and not by his talk…
…Nothing has a stronger influence psychologically on their environment and especially on their children than the unlived life of the parent. If there is anything that we wish to change in the child, we should first examine it and see whether it is not something that could better be changed in ourselves.”
~ C.G. Jung
Quote source can be found here.
black board, white chalk 