Newsweek - The Trouble With Boys

Newsweek - The Trouble With Boys - It's good to see the MSM at least acknowledging that boys are struggling. The reasons are many but a big one is the absolute feminization of eduction. Educators need to realize that boys are different. They need to give boys plenty of time to burn off their energy at recess. The boys need to be encouraged to go out and play; not just sit around talking about video games. Their maleness needs to be affirmed not penalized. Our teacher for our fifth grader seems to have a good grasp on dealing with boys. She has a very high-powered group of boys and she seems to do a good job with them. They play a lot of football at recess and even at PE.

There is a difference folks and it needs to be acknowledged, not discouraged. Let boys pretend to shoot guns, wrestle, play football, play dodgeball, heck even box. So many things are discouraged that should be encouraged instead. We are not getting the best out of our boys. Things go from one extreme to another. I want my sons to be truly masculine; where they follow their dreams, work hard, treat others well and, most of all, love Jesus.

KMC - '9th Circuit Court, "Parents Are Outlawed on Sex";

Crosswalk.com - Kevin McCullough's Weblog

Besides the fact that I may want to keep my first grader somewhat innocent and protected from such sexual material, and as a parent I don't believe a court has any business putting such thoughts into the heads of first graders.

I the above statement concerns you at all about the mentality of some people in this country then you should be concerned. There are people in this world that want to 'capture' the minds of our children for their own sexual agendas. On the other hand, my kids know very little about sex and I want to keep it that way until I feel it is appropriate to tell them more about the birds and bees.

Parent/Teacher Conferences - Where Are The Dads?

We attended parent/teacher conferences for our sons this morning. I was shocked to see mostly just moms around the campus. Dads! We gotta step up and stay involved. When we attend these types of things it sends a great message to the teacher (and kids since they are asked to attend sometimes). If you are too busy for these types of things then you might want to do some personal inventory. How many more things are more important than the education of your child?

The Writings of Alfie Kohn - The Most Dangerous Man For Our Children's Minds

Alfie Kohn is an icon of the left and the education establishment. Here's a list of some of his writings:

September 11

His Biography - notice the lack of credentials

Defending Progressive (see leftist factories) Schools

Challenging Students - featuring the quote "Teachers also must take steps to create critical classrooms and to set up regular opportunities for students to be skeptical about what they hear."

How Not To Teach Values

What to Look for in a Classroom

GRADING: The Issue Is Not How but Why

Funny thing is, he only taught for a few years in an "independent" school and has ZERO other credentials. We've got educators falling all over themselves for this guy. What a disaster in the making.

UPDATE: Just reading some of this guy's stuff caused me to have a not-so-good sleep. Read with caution.

UPDATE 2: I do want it understood that this not a "hate Alfie" the person post. To paraphrase "it's not personal, it's our children".

Alfie Kohn - Looking For Thoughts

Punished by Rewards

The principal at our school is heavily influenced by Alfie Kohn. This guy seems way out of touch with reality. Anyone have an opinion?

One Thing I'm Very Thankful For

I'm very thankful for Christian teachers who stay in public schools. For many of them it can be uncomfortable but I appreciate your staying power more than you can know. May God bless you this Thanksgiving.

FOXNews.com: Southern Baptists Reject Private Schooling Initiative

FOXNews.com - Politics - Southern Baptists Reject Private Schooling Initiative

Bottom line is that not all public schools are evil, pushing a bunch of leftist agendas. In fact, instead of complaining lets get more Christian teachers into the public schools. My children have been in both private and public schools. We do live in a great school district and, to be frank, the public school has been far better than the private Christian schools we've been involved with. No matter what one does with their child's education, parental involvement is the biggest key; ask any teacher whether public or private. Too many parents want the teacher to do it all and that doesn't work.

Transcendental Meditation in Public Schools?

Just saw something on CNN about students being taught TM in public schools in Detroit. What? This is religious! If this comes into our district then I'm asking for tax-payer money to teach a Bible study at schools. I don't have any problem with TM clubs or something but to have instructors brought in? Come on. Where's the ACLU or the separation of church and state folks?

Nice Use of an 11 Year Old

Tip to Drudge.

Demonstrators Swarm Around Rove's Home (washingtonpost.com)

This is really messed up at so many levels.

6 and Up

FOXNews.com - Top Stories - N.C. Parents Angry Over Gay Children's Book

I just don't like a book like this available to kids without parental approval. Most parents would find this book offensive and not even close to approprate for a elementary school aged kid.

School Voucher Plan Passes

FOXNews.com - Politics - School Voucher Plan Awaits Bush Approval

This is great news. Get kids out of some of the bad schools and give them a chance.

The Life of a Kindergartener

My youngest son is 5 and is in his fourth month of Kindergarten. He has a wonderful teacher and is learning to read and write very quickly. Now, he's learning to sound out while he writes so his writing doesn't look correct to us but to a 5 year old who can sound out letters, it looks perfect. Here's a day in the life of my kindergartener, in his own hand:

I can read it, can you? Let's see your translations.

Islamic Education OK in Classroom

Tip to Certus Veritas.

This World Net Daily article talks about how a judge ruled that a class on Islamic culture is fine in the classroom. On the surface that seems OK but part of the curriculum includes"

Requiring seventh-grade students to pretend they're Muslims, wear Islamic garb, memorize verses from the Quran, pray to Allah and even to play "jihad games"

OK, I'm a Christian and I don't want any teacher forcing kids to act like Christians. Same deal, here. I don't want any kid to be forced to act like a Muslim. This is totally outrageous and one that needs to be followed closely. Now it's easy to see why so many Christians decide to send their kids to private schools or even home school.

If anyone knows any more information about this topic then please drop a comment.