What you want your kids to learn that isn't taught in most schools.

[lostnfound]

Let's make a list. Whether topics or books that aren't allowed in the school system, or values, post them here!

[lostnfound]

1. Howard Zinn's Young People's History of the United States.

I just discovered he's released a version for young people, which I am reading. It's a bit brutal like his original but a breath of truth in a truthless world..

[mzmolly]

3. Agreed, I plan to teach Zinn when dd is old enough to "handle" the info in full.

:hi:

[Maat]

4. I just ordered that!

I can't wait to include it in our learning!

[mzteris]

6. what ages do you think it's good for?

I guess I'm looking for the upper end of the age range.

We have the regular Zinn HotUS but I've been wondeering about the young people's version.

[lostnfound]

10. Based on what I've read so far, the guidelines of ages 10-14

seem about right.

[lostnfound]

2. All human beings matter. Better grades don't make you a better person.

If your kids are in a formal school setting, it can be difficult to push them (or not push them) to excel without sending them the subliminal message that (a) you are a failure because you didn't get a good grade or (b) you are better than your classmates because you got a better grade. Even if you succeed as a parent in not reinforcing those ideas, the chances are good that the kids are getting the message during the 8 hours they spend at school.

I lean toward the idea that the obsession with grading kids, rather than a focus on mastery learning, is a way of adjusting expectations -- getting the lower cogs to accept their fates based on their perceived shortcomings, and getting the elite cogs to feel entitled based on their perceived superiority. Divide and conquer.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

5. Great Topic!

I want him to:
...feel comfortable with saying, "I don't know." and respect those who are not afraid to say it.
...respect all others; recognizing and appreciating their gifts.
...learn to defend himself with his wits.
...learn about various beliefs and non-beliefs without guilting him into accepting one as absolute truth.

:hi:

[mzteris]

7. ditto!

Most homeschoolers that I personally know - have that opinion. It irritates the hell out of me that most of DU don't "get" that.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

8. When my older boy was in PS kindergarten, he once hugged his buddy on the playground...

...and was immediately surrounded by kids taunting, "Ewwww! You're GAY!!!" No teacher did anything to stop it or to teach that what they did was wrong. That's what made me realize "social skills" is not necessarily a good reason for keeping my kid in PS.

[Sabriel]

9. Awareness of privilege and hegemony

Specifically white privilege and class privilege.

Also, the inclusion and celebration of all types of families and family situations, without judgement or moral criticism.

Hey, I can hope!

[Karl_Bonner_1982]

11. Definitely the Zinn book among other things

And also some APPLIED math and science (problem solving and exploration, not rote!), fluency in the SI (metric) system of units, rigorous musical theory (if they are musically inclined), comprehensive economics (both positive and normative), a little bit of intro philosophy and sociology, and a non-religiously based course on world religions.

[funflower]

12. That they have intrinsic worth, regardless of how tall/ short/ fat/ thin/ cute/ ugly/ cool/dorky/...

...smart/dumb/athletic/sedentary/artsy/technical/bookish/mathematical/fashionable/practical.... you get the point... they are.

And so does everybody else.