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Category Archives: Education
Education. What’s it for?
Education. While the word itself may not spark as much passionate debate as religion and politics, everyone has an opinion. Those opinions vary wildly, yet there’s one common theme: we can, and we must do better at educating children. Education is viewed as essential to “progress” and better lives. So, ideas for improvement are put forth. Sides are taken. Debates rage—ratcheted up as test scores arrive. What makes sense?
Posted in Education, Uncategorized
Tagged children, children's education, children's nature environmental education
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Another Food Blog – Who has the Time?
2012 is the year I’ll spend less time plugged in and more time outdoors. After too many hours cooped up indoors, I walk outside and my mind says, “what took you so long?” So, I often hesitate recommending visiting yet another website. That said, the trick is to find the sources that save you from spending time on other sites. Is the content engaging, valuable, diverse and concise?
With that in mind, I find myself repeatedly … Read more!
If standardized tests aren’t the answer, what is?
I’ve yet to meet a teacher that believes existing standardized tests are a fully adequate measure of student performance. And I’ve yet to meet a business executive that hires (for careers that pay well) based on how well applicants do at rote memorization and linear thinking.
So, how should we spend time in schools and how do we measure student performance?
I’ve written about Whole Child Education before, but here’s a great site, here. And … Read more!
Posted in Education, green sugar press news
Tagged children's education, testing, whole child, whole child education
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“I’m only trying to love my kids the best I can…”
A line I’ve heard from parents more than once the last few months: “How do I have time to worry about the environment? I’m just trying to love my kids.”
And when the dinner needs to be made, Johnny needs help with homework, the car needs an oil change, Katie’s being bullied, and our company is shipping jobs overseas… then worrying about the environment falls pretty low on the list of “things to do … Read more!
Posted in Education, Environment
Tagged children's nature environmental education, Ecology of Commerce, Maniac Magee, nature, Paul Hawken
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Alternative to a Flawed and Dated Education Model
Is it time to consider the Whole Child? Not long ago, a friend and I were talking about different approaches to education. We, like nearly everyone, agree the current public educational system can do better. But, is the movement to narrow curriculum, increase class time, heap on homework and focus on rote memorization for standardized tests the right answer (as promoted by programs like “Race to the Top”)?
Can we do better than … Read more!
Exercise is good for kids…
Whenever I visit a school I try to learn as much as possible, always making it a point to ask students how they spend their day. I’m interested for a few reasons, including discovering how much physical activity they get. While my “research” is anecdotal, there’s plenty of evidence (besides our waistlines) that shows we get less exercise than we used to.
And while we might “know” exercise is good for our bodies, and we … Read more!
Posted in Education, green sugar press news
Tagged books, childhood obesity, children, exercise, health, play
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EDUCATION AS IF NATURE AND THE FUTURE MATTER…
Mention the topic education at a cocktail party, the water cooler or your child’s basketball game, and you’re likely to receive an earful. Everyone has an opinion, and while the US is divided on much, most agree we can, and need to, do better with children’s education. Perhaps divided on whether education is too expensive, too cumbersome or wholly ineffective, most are united in believing the purpose of education is to develop a world-class labor … Read more!
Posted in Education, Environment, green sugar press news
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The George Jones Memorial Farm grows real food!
Last week I headed east for a wedding in Long Island. Needing an excuse to spend more time in NY, I scheduled a few school visits. While the schools were neat and the wedding a fantastic party, the highlight may have been a stop en route – Oberlin College in Ohio.
Not only did I get to see one of my heros, educator David Orr, and tour one of the highest performing buildings ever built, … Read more!
Posted in Earth, Education, green sugar press news
Tagged children, education, farming, nature, Oberlin, real food, The George Jones Memorial Farm
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The Goodness of Green: dirt and sunshine just what the doctor ordered
After months of studying parenting magazines and agonizing over the perfect name, months of wondering what color her hair will be or if she’ll have dimples, of daydreaming ahead to her enrollment at an ivy-league school or reception of the Nobel Peace Prize, when the big day comes and our baby finally makes her entrance into the world we are thrilled with the utterly simple: ten fingers, ten toes, and the realization that all that … Read more!
Posted in Earth, Education, Global Matters, green sugar press news
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