The Public School Nightmare by John Taylor Gatto

The Public School Nightmare by John Taylor Gatto

An excerpt from the article:


"The structure of American schooling, 20th-century style, began in 1806 when Napoleon's amateur soldiers beat the professional soldiers of Prussia at the battle of Jena. When your business is selling soldiers, losing a battle like that is serious. Almost immediately afterward a German philosopher named Fichte delivered his famous "Address to the German Nation" which became one of the most influent...ial documents in modern history. In effect he told the Prussian people that the party was over, that the nation would have to shape up through a new Utopian institution of forced schooling in which everyone would learn to take orders.

"So the world got compulsory schooling at the end of a state bayonet for the first time in human history. Modern forced schooling started in Prussia in 1819 with a clear vision of what centralized schools could deliver:
"Obedient soldiers to the army; obedient workers to the mines; well-subordinated civil servants to government; well-subordinated clerks to industry; citizens who thought alike about major issues."
- John Gatto, "The Public School Nightmare"

How Many Universes are There?

I simply love TED and now with TEDEducation, some of Fai's questions have ready explanations :)

Don't give birth lying down!

Unschooling: the new class of learning | euronews, learning world

Unschooling: the new class of learning | euronews, learning world

post date

I found out that it is a policy at the Klinik Kesihatan that if baby is not born 6 days postdate (Postdate is when baby is not out by EDD -estimated due date) , baby will be induced.
How frightfully threatening.

Please read Why I don't do post dates

Another article on post date babies that states post date is PAST 42weeks, NOT 40 weeks

All my babies were induced based on doctor's lack of patience or his holiday plans or because "Baby is ready! Let's get him out. Does tomorrow fit your schedule?"
Being completely uneducated about birthing and trusting my doctor's judgement, I went along with all 4 inductions. I didn't know the risks involved....then.
Well, not anymore. I trust baby will tell me when it is time.

To quote from the 1st article "There is no such thing as postdates, just prebaby"

Ecstatic Birth

My education continues....
Read more on ecsatic birth here.

Tree climbing test

"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing it is stupid" Albert Einstein


Fai would pass this test with flying colours.

He made a tree climbing training ground for Ean starting from Level 0 progressing to Level 4 :
Level 0 - balancing on a log

Level 1 - climbing a short stump
....

Level 4 - climb tree
Ean is currently at Level 1

Popcorn by the beach @PD

First place a crumpled piece of newspaper between rocks, then pile on some dried leaves, followed by twigs.
Light up a matchstick and ignite the newspaper

Fai says he needs more leaves!

Once the fire gets going, add on bigger pieces of wood.

popcorn kernels and enough oil to line the bottom of the pot.

Close the lid and wait for the popping to start.

Popped corn

In a separate pot, we melted some sugar in oil with a pinch of salt. Once the mixture melted down, we poured in the popped corn and gave it a quick stir.
Once cooled, it was snack time for the kids.

Ean and KC enjoying the view while waiting for their popcorn.

Firestation@Putrajaya

Ancient fire engine


Han's favourite

We got the chance to inspect the insides

Amphibious rescue vehicle

Seeing the fire engine off to Salak Tinggi

Control room

Fire engine ride.
We ran a red light!

story time with AuntieSM

the harrassed mascot had more than he could handle

trying to cool down the over enthusiastic kids.

starting the fire with diesel and petrol

parts of the fire extinguisher

parents got the opportunity to put out the fire

The kids were given t-shirts, crayons and puzzles.

Han trying out the fire fighter's uniform