This is a telling article that comes from some interesting sources. For one, this article was posted onto Yahoo's Asia news website. Second, it takes quotes from the likes of Bill Gates, of whom is not on my list of people to admire (check my other blog, Computing Matters, for that topic).
However, in this instance, I have to give Gates and others the article quotes some credit. At least they are acknowledging the modern U.S. school system is broken. Gates is even quoted as saying the modern U.S. high schools are obsolete.
Here is my assessment. They are still in the dark about finding a real solution to the problem. Consider this metaphor: All these high profile officials from business and government are meeting in a room that is totally dark around a large round table. Now they have realized that there is bomb ticking as the center piece of the table. They are beginning to realize they have problem, and they need diffuse the bomb. Time is ticking away. How are they going to diffuse this bomb. No one in the room has any true wisdom concerning the matters for bomb diffusion of this sort.
In the same way, the solution for the school system is to diffuse the modern educational process with a better approach to education. If man in all his wisdom and know-how has in fact reached heights of intelligence never before attained, why is it that we are having this problem at the center of the table. It is easy to point out that we need more rigor and challenging discourse in the classroom. But how does a social program implement such an enormous change without causing the parents to hemorage over putting too much stress on their dear little children.
The problem is occurring long before the child enters high school. The problem is occuring from the very beginning, even from birth with regards to our modern philosophy towards education. God, the master Designer and Creator of matter itself, has already given us wisdom on this concern. His solution is complex and very few can understand it. But I will make an attempt here to explain it.
In a capsule, God essentially commands parents to teach their children. End of sentence. It is not to be a passive responsibility. It is not the government's responsibility. It is not the village's responsiblity. But God has ordained in His word that the responsiblity rests on the parents to teach their children.
More specifically, who does God direct this command at? Is it the mothers? Has God commanded, mothers bring up their children in the training and admonision of the Lord? LOL. Of course not! God commands the fathers to train up the children in the way they should go. Does that mean that fathers are to stay at home, and mothers are to go out to work and provide for the family. Taking the whole scripture, God's word is saying is that fathers are to be the headmasters and to have close oversight for their own school and the method in which their own children are instructed.
For more on this topic, check out these other blog entries:
Training Up Children
Classical Education Links
Books for Providing a Classical Education
Introducing the Westminster Catechism
A Vision for Ministry to Children and their Parents
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Building a Creation Library
I was recently approached by a friend inquiring about what he should buy for building his family's library concerning creation science materials.
In this list of materials, I am recommending a collection of videos, magazines, and books for children, general, and technical readers.
For some reason, the AiG website will not allow for direct URL links to online products. I am going to follow up with them on this. But in the meantime, just print this list out and locate them on the website or other websites such as ICR's bookstore.
Videos
Creation Conference 2003 Entire Set (any of the 26 Part DVD Series)
Creation Library Biology Set (any of the 5 Part DVD Series)
From a Frog to a Prince
Magazine Subscriptions
Creation and TJ Magazines
Children
A is for Adam
D is for Dinosaur
Exploring Planet Earth
The Ocean Book
Wonders of Creation
Dinosaurs of Eden
Whale of a Story
Special Wonders of the Wild Kingdom
Grand Canyon: A Different View
The Wonder of It All
The True Story of Noah's Ark
Special Wonders of the Sea World
General
The Annals of the World
The Answers Book
Chronology of the Old Testament
Streams of Civilization (along with related texts)
Creation and Change
Tools for Teaching (along with related products)
Creation and Time
Did God Use Evolution
The Genesis Record
The Great Turning Point
History of Modern Creationism
The Young Earth
One Blood
Refuting Evolution
The Remarkable Record of Job
The Twilight of Evolution
What is Creation Science
Think Biblically!
Technical
Starlight and Time
Biblical Creationism
Bones of Contention
The Biotic Message
The Genesis Flood
Noah's Ark: A Feasibility Study
Not By Chance!
Radioisotopes and the Age of the Earth
Science and the Bible
Scopes: Creation on Trial
Thermodynamics and the Development of Order
Vestigial Organs are Fully Functional
In this list of materials, I am recommending a collection of videos, magazines, and books for children, general, and technical readers.
For some reason, the AiG website will not allow for direct URL links to online products. I am going to follow up with them on this. But in the meantime, just print this list out and locate them on the website or other websites such as ICR's bookstore.
Videos
Creation Conference 2003 Entire Set (any of the 26 Part DVD Series)
Creation Library Biology Set (any of the 5 Part DVD Series)
From a Frog to a Prince
Magazine Subscriptions
Creation and TJ Magazines
Children
A is for Adam
D is for Dinosaur
Exploring Planet Earth
The Ocean Book
Wonders of Creation
Dinosaurs of Eden
Whale of a Story
Special Wonders of the Wild Kingdom
Grand Canyon: A Different View
The Wonder of It All
The True Story of Noah's Ark
Special Wonders of the Sea World
General
The Annals of the World
The Answers Book
Chronology of the Old Testament
Streams of Civilization (along with related texts)
Creation and Change
Tools for Teaching (along with related products)
Creation and Time
Did God Use Evolution
The Genesis Record
The Great Turning Point
History of Modern Creationism
The Young Earth
One Blood
Refuting Evolution
The Remarkable Record of Job
The Twilight of Evolution
What is Creation Science
Think Biblically!
Technical
Starlight and Time
Biblical Creationism
Bones of Contention
The Biotic Message
The Genesis Flood
Noah's Ark: A Feasibility Study
Not By Chance!
Radioisotopes and the Age of the Earth
Science and the Bible
Scopes: Creation on Trial
Thermodynamics and the Development of Order
Vestigial Organs are Fully Functional
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Crocodile Missing Link
This is truly remarkable. Finally a missing link demonstrating the evolution of one crocodile into another crocodile! No sarcasism here. No really.
Click here for the article.
"the ancient crocodile had sharper and laterally compressed teeth enabling it to sheer prey and an extra jaw muscle to give a stronger, more powerful bite."
Click here for the article.
"the ancient crocodile had sharper and laterally compressed teeth enabling it to sheer prey and an extra jaw muscle to give a stronger, more powerful bite."
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Latin in the Classical Education
One aspect, among many, that sets the Trivium apart from other educational philosophies is the devotion it makes towards communication and language skills. Even at the early stages of the primary years are courses taught normally reserved for latter grades.
More specifically, Latin may be introduced anywhere from between K through 3rd grade. It is in these years that the child becomes acustomed to the basic parts of speech found in the Latin language. Each year the child continues to build on this knowledge until the Rhetoric stage and capable of reading primary texts such as Virgil and Cicero.
For more information and resources, check out the products from the Memoria Press.
This Memoria Press site also provides a free semiannual newsletter. Just a sample of one of the articles is Why Study Latin?
More specifically, Latin may be introduced anywhere from between K through 3rd grade. It is in these years that the child becomes acustomed to the basic parts of speech found in the Latin language. Each year the child continues to build on this knowledge until the Rhetoric stage and capable of reading primary texts such as Virgil and Cicero.
For more information and resources, check out the products from the Memoria Press.
This Memoria Press site also provides a free semiannual newsletter. Just a sample of one of the articles is Why Study Latin?
A Primer on Classical Christian Education
This blog entry seeks to explain the Classical Christian Education to promote awareness of its ideals. First, I discuss the more general Classical Education and then delve into the more specific, which is the Classical Christian Education approach.
The Classical Education is essentially described by the Trivium, which is a teaching model that tailors the educational curriculum to a child’s cognitive development.
Using language of the contempory establishment, the Trivium proceeds using the following process:
1. Elementary School - Concrete thinking and memorization of the facts
2. Middle School - Analytical thinking and understanding
3. High School - Abstract thinking and articulation
Subjects unique to Classical Education which help accomplish the goals of the Trivium are:
1. Grammar - Science of language usage
2. Logic - Science of right thinking
3. Rhetoric - Science of verbal and written expression
The Classical Education approach can be further refined with a stronger emphasis of Christian ideals. This refinement is identified as the Classical Christian Education (CCE). The CCE is characterized by a rich exposure to the history, art, and culture of Western Civilization, including its languages (Latin and Greek), its philosophy and literature (the Great Books of Western Civilization and the Christian tradition), and the development of a Biblical worldview with Theology in its proper place as the Queen of the Sciences.
One benefit of the CCE is that it can proceed at the child's own pace. Not so that we go too fast for the child and "leave them behind". But rather, I don't want to hinder their progress according to my prejudice about when I encountered the subject matter. For instance, I did not engage in learning foreign language until the 8th grade. The CCE introduces foreign language in the grammar stage (elementary years). If a child is able to read by the age of 3 or 4, let them read (not uncommon for Classical homeschoolers). Because the primary purpose of teaching our children to read is so that they can read the Word of God. And sooner the better.
My opinion is that homeschooling in-concert with a co-op strikes a healthy balance between homeschooling and also allowing a child to get healthy social interaction with other children. If a family still feels that homeschooling is not for them, then I encourage them to consider a CCE academy in their area.
For example, here are some academy schools that I am aware of across the nation. I will update this list as I discover more.
The Classical Education is essentially described by the Trivium, which is a teaching model that tailors the educational curriculum to a child’s cognitive development.
Using language of the contempory establishment, the Trivium proceeds using the following process:
1. Elementary School - Concrete thinking and memorization of the facts
2. Middle School - Analytical thinking and understanding
3. High School - Abstract thinking and articulation
Subjects unique to Classical Education which help accomplish the goals of the Trivium are:
1. Grammar - Science of language usage
2. Logic - Science of right thinking
3. Rhetoric - Science of verbal and written expression
The Classical Education approach can be further refined with a stronger emphasis of Christian ideals. This refinement is identified as the Classical Christian Education (CCE). The CCE is characterized by a rich exposure to the history, art, and culture of Western Civilization, including its languages (Latin and Greek), its philosophy and literature (the Great Books of Western Civilization and the Christian tradition), and the development of a Biblical worldview with Theology in its proper place as the Queen of the Sciences.
One benefit of the CCE is that it can proceed at the child's own pace. Not so that we go too fast for the child and "leave them behind". But rather, I don't want to hinder their progress according to my prejudice about when I encountered the subject matter. For instance, I did not engage in learning foreign language until the 8th grade. The CCE introduces foreign language in the grammar stage (elementary years). If a child is able to read by the age of 3 or 4, let them read (not uncommon for Classical homeschoolers). Because the primary purpose of teaching our children to read is so that they can read the Word of God. And sooner the better.
My opinion is that homeschooling in-concert with a co-op strikes a healthy balance between homeschooling and also allowing a child to get healthy social interaction with other children. If a family still feels that homeschooling is not for them, then I encourage them to consider a CCE academy in their area.
For example, here are some academy schools that I am aware of across the nation. I will update this list as I discover more.
- FaithWest School (Katy, TX)
- Veritas Christian Academy (Houston, TX)
- Memorial Lutheran School (Missouri Synod) (Houston, TX)
- Veritas Academy (Leola, PA)
- Logos School (Moscow, ID)
- Geneva School (Winter Park, FL)
Friday, February 18, 2005
White Bean Spread
"When thinking of great taste accompaniments to bread, challenge the butter and olive oil and balsamic vinegar routine with this herby spread. What you have here is a versatile accompaniment for toasted baguettes or warm crepes. You can also use it as a dip made for thick chunks of French bread or pita sandwiches. Plan one day in advance in order to soak the beans overnight. Of course, you always have the option of using canned beans if you're really pressed for time."
Click here for the recipe.
Click here for the recipe.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Public Speaking
All of us, have at one point in our lives, had to speak in front of a large group of people. Some are better at it than others, but it is a skill that we should all seek to develop or at least refine.
For those seeking enrichment in this area, may I suggest the book:
Talk Your Way to the Top
The book was written by Kevin Daley and Laura Daley-Caravella. Kevin has spent the last forty years helping people to develop their communication skills. He also authored the book Socratic Selling: How to Ask the Questions That Get the Sale.
For those seeking enrichment in this area, may I suggest the book:
Talk Your Way to the Top
The book was written by Kevin Daley and Laura Daley-Caravella. Kevin has spent the last forty years helping people to develop their communication skills. He also authored the book Socratic Selling: How to Ask the Questions That Get the Sale.
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Anaerobic Exercise: Optimal Fitness
Based on personal experience and observation, I have come to the conclusion that aerobic exercise, while beneficial for endurance, is not optimal.
Alternatively, I suggest the notion of anaerobic exercise. It is this form of exercise that provides a more complete regimen that promotes a greater form of total wellness.
Here are a list of the direct benefits of anaerobic exercise:
Alternatively, I suggest the notion of anaerobic exercise. It is this form of exercise that provides a more complete regimen that promotes a greater form of total wellness.
Here are a list of the direct benefits of anaerobic exercise:
- increased strength
- increased bone mass and bone strength
- increased energy
- optimal body weight
- increased endurance
- improved attitude and spirit
- etc...
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
The World's Greatest Creation Scientists
This online book, The World's Greatest Creation Scientists, comes to you from the Creation Safari website by David F. Coppedge. I have not read the book yet, but here is the author's abstract:
The new millennium is a unique time to look back over a thousand years and ponder how far civilization has come. The comforts, conveniences, health and prosperity available to most of us is due in large measure to the rise of modern science. Today, science is an almost exclusively secular enterprise, presented by the media and universities as the opposite of faith, and therefore intrinsically hostile to religion. But, historically speaking, this is a gross distortion! Did you know that most of the greatest scientists of history were Bible-believing Christians? This pictorial research presentation will demonstrate three surprising facts about the history of modern science (see the Introduction for explanation and definitions of terms):
1. Most of the greatest scientists of the past 1000 years were Christians and creationists.
2. To these scientists, Christianity was the driving force behind their discoveries.
3. The Christian world view gave birth and impetus to modern science.
Accompanying the text are full-page color graphics in JPG and PDF formats, containing pictures, lists of accomplishments, tributes by others and quotes by the scientists themselves. They make excellent transparencies for teachers and speakers. The material may be freely used by Christian teachers as long as it is not resold and credits are shown.
The new millennium is a unique time to look back over a thousand years and ponder how far civilization has come. The comforts, conveniences, health and prosperity available to most of us is due in large measure to the rise of modern science. Today, science is an almost exclusively secular enterprise, presented by the media and universities as the opposite of faith, and therefore intrinsically hostile to religion. But, historically speaking, this is a gross distortion! Did you know that most of the greatest scientists of history were Bible-believing Christians? This pictorial research presentation will demonstrate three surprising facts about the history of modern science (see the Introduction for explanation and definitions of terms):
1. Most of the greatest scientists of the past 1000 years were Christians and creationists.
2. To these scientists, Christianity was the driving force behind their discoveries.
3. The Christian world view gave birth and impetus to modern science.
Accompanying the text are full-page color graphics in JPG and PDF formats, containing pictures, lists of accomplishments, tributes by others and quotes by the scientists themselves. They make excellent transparencies for teachers and speakers. The material may be freely used by Christian teachers as long as it is not resold and credits are shown.
Monday, February 14, 2005
The Pilgram's Progress
A unique, fully dramatized audio presentation of John Bunyan’s classic book, Pilgrim’s Progress! Over five hours of exciting oral interpretation. This fun and edifying unabridged reading of the original work features over 50 voice actors plus emotion-touching music and sound effects. Excellent for personal entertainment, family listening and the memory–building discussions that are sure to follow!
Click here for more information from the AiG store.
Alternatively, here are some free Pilgram's Progress resources on the Internet. There is even a free MP3 download. However, I suspect the purchased version of the book is better quality.
Click here for more information from the AiG store.
Alternatively, here are some free Pilgram's Progress resources on the Internet. There is even a free MP3 download. However, I suspect the purchased version of the book is better quality.
The Conservative Journal of Record
The Federalist Patriot is a great resource for access to historical documents and rebuttal to Leftist machinations.
Click here to subscribe to the free email newsletter.
Click here to subscribe to the free email newsletter.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Philosophy of Hitler
These links shed some light on what Hitler believed and what drove him to action.
Hitler and Evolution
Hitler and Darwinism
Was Hitler a Christian?
Finally, a critical review of Hitler's work, Mein Kampf, would also be quite provoking.
Now let me say that just because someone espouses evolution (the macro kind) does not mean I suggest they are in agreement with Hitler's conclusions. But I dare say a study of evolution and the impact on society is sitrring.
In a future installment, I would like to entertain why the Germans were so susceptible to following such an evil dictator.
Hitler and Evolution
Hitler and Darwinism
Was Hitler a Christian?
Finally, a critical review of Hitler's work, Mein Kampf, would also be quite provoking.
Now let me say that just because someone espouses evolution (the macro kind) does not mean I suggest they are in agreement with Hitler's conclusions. But I dare say a study of evolution and the impact on society is sitrring.
In a future installment, I would like to entertain why the Germans were so susceptible to following such an evil dictator.
A Method for Bible Analysis
In a broad sense, we all have some degree of analysis capability. We all have some ability to read a text and discern its topic, main idea, and basic principles.
We should apply these principles learned in school to read God's word. However, I must confess that I could do better. At any rate, it is my belief that everyone who is willing should pursue these skills. It will surely enrich your life to be able to dive deep and see all the treasures God has given to us in His word.
Studying God's word is a lot like Scuba diving. Many would rather sit on the boat and let others get in the water. These are those that just go to church but never crack the Bible on their own private time. Then there are those that like to snorkel but would rather stay near the surface. Finally, there are the scuba divers that dive deep under water. And scuba divers achieve varrying depths depending on their experience, ability, and sense of adventure. Scuba divers get to experience a greater variety of colors and exotic creatures of the sea. Scuba diving deep into God's word is much the same thing. It enables us to see all the treasures and riches (Ephesians 1:7-10) of His grace that He has planned for us to experience.
So this leads me to finding a roadmap for learning the skills of deep Bible study. I suggest the text, Living by the Book and the workbook that accompanies it.
We should apply these principles learned in school to read God's word. However, I must confess that I could do better. At any rate, it is my belief that everyone who is willing should pursue these skills. It will surely enrich your life to be able to dive deep and see all the treasures God has given to us in His word.
Studying God's word is a lot like Scuba diving. Many would rather sit on the boat and let others get in the water. These are those that just go to church but never crack the Bible on their own private time. Then there are those that like to snorkel but would rather stay near the surface. Finally, there are the scuba divers that dive deep under water. And scuba divers achieve varrying depths depending on their experience, ability, and sense of adventure. Scuba divers get to experience a greater variety of colors and exotic creatures of the sea. Scuba diving deep into God's word is much the same thing. It enables us to see all the treasures and riches (Ephesians 1:7-10) of His grace that He has planned for us to experience.
So this leads me to finding a roadmap for learning the skills of deep Bible study. I suggest the text, Living by the Book and the workbook that accompanies it.
Saturday, February 05, 2005
Classical Education Links
The following links are useful for getting up-to-date information on Classical Education.
Books for Providing a Classical Education
The best way to get informed about the notion of classical education is to review the following books. If you know someone that homeschools or sends their children to a classical school (i.e. Logos School, Veritas Academy, etc...), chances are they will own one or more (especially the first two). So, you may want to borrow them first before taking the plunge.
Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning
"Public education is in crisis. At the heart of the problem is the idea that education can exist in a moral vacuum. [This book] describes the melee in public education and calls for a return to classical teaching methods."
The Well-Trained Mind
"This book provides you with the techniques, curriculum, and resources necessary to ensure that your child's education is the best it can be."
The Seven Laws of Teaching
"A classic outlining the seven timeless fundamentals of successful teaching: the teacher, the learner, the language, the lesson, the teaching process, the learning process, and review and application."
Teaching the Trivium
"Long ago students were first taught how to learn. Today, students are taught an encyclopedia of subjects – trivia – but they are not taught the basic skills of learning: to discover, to reason, and to apply. They are not taught the Trivium."
The Trivium: The Liberal Arts of Logic, Grammar, and Rhetoric
"Opening the door for beginners who seek a thorough grounding in the first arts of human understanding, this book explains the nature of logic, grammar, and rhetoric-the three of the seven liberal arts-and how they relate to one another. In Renaissance universities, the trivium (literally, the crossing of three part way) formed the essence of the liberal arts curriculum. Examined are topics such as the nature and function of language, distinguishing general grammar from special grammar, the study of logic and its relationship to grammar and rhetoric, and applying the concepts of logic, grammar, and rhetoric to literary works."
Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning
"Public education is in crisis. At the heart of the problem is the idea that education can exist in a moral vacuum. [This book] describes the melee in public education and calls for a return to classical teaching methods."
The Well-Trained Mind
"This book provides you with the techniques, curriculum, and resources necessary to ensure that your child's education is the best it can be."
The Seven Laws of Teaching
"A classic outlining the seven timeless fundamentals of successful teaching: the teacher, the learner, the language, the lesson, the teaching process, the learning process, and review and application."
Teaching the Trivium
"Long ago students were first taught how to learn. Today, students are taught an encyclopedia of subjects – trivia – but they are not taught the basic skills of learning: to discover, to reason, and to apply. They are not taught the Trivium."
The Trivium: The Liberal Arts of Logic, Grammar, and Rhetoric
"Opening the door for beginners who seek a thorough grounding in the first arts of human understanding, this book explains the nature of logic, grammar, and rhetoric-the three of the seven liberal arts-and how they relate to one another. In Renaissance universities, the trivium (literally, the crossing of three part way) formed the essence of the liberal arts curriculum. Examined are topics such as the nature and function of language, distinguishing general grammar from special grammar, the study of logic and its relationship to grammar and rhetoric, and applying the concepts of logic, grammar, and rhetoric to literary works."
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Controversy Surrounding Splenda's Deceptive Marketing Campaign
It seems the marketing campaign for Splenda, Made from sugar so it tastes like sugar, has been accused of misleading consumers into believing the artificial sweetener is a natural sugar alternative. Moreover, what the campaign does not reveal is that Splenda is actually a chemically created product that uses substances such as chlorine and phosgene, a poisonous gas. The Centers for Disease Control has even described one of the ingredients used in Splenda as a major chemical used to make plastics and pesticides.
Click here for more information on this issue:
Controversy Surrounding Splenda's Deceptive Marketing Campaign
Mercola, Joseph. "Controversy Surrounding Splenda's Deceptive Marketing Campaign." Mercola Health Website. 2005. February 2, 2005.
Click here for more information on this issue:
Controversy Surrounding Splenda's Deceptive Marketing Campaign
Mercola, Joseph. "Controversy Surrounding Splenda's Deceptive Marketing Campaign." Mercola Health Website. 2005. February 2, 2005.
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