609. Measuring

I tried writing a brief article about Back-to-Basics movements. At first, it didn’t work. Back-to-Basics movements have been haunting me for twenty-five years, and my thoughts and feelings about them could fill up a book. They are based on points of view that are as hard to pin down as the “open classroom” concept. I…

Sometimes, when you’re travelling a long distance in a car, or have some other reason to need some silence and peace, there are children with you who do not feel at all peaceful, and do not feel that silence would be an effective way to express what they’re feeling. It’s important for children to know…

I spent this evening not teaching. There I was, with Molly, a five year old girl who didn’t know some things I did know, and who “knew” some things I knew weren’t true, and I let it be. Being the chronic compulsive teacher I am, I really felt like teaching, but it just wasn’t the…

Over the years, I’ve known several people who have said that they or their children skipped childhood. Their feelings about that perceived phenomenon range from pride to bitterness. Sometimes people have told me that their children are reincarnated adults, but I think very few (if any) of those people really believe in reincarnation; they don’t…

Having lived with gradually progressing disability for about ten years, I’m getting to know some things about what help is available. I’m also getting to know that many people have preconceived notions about what will help me, and when I suggest that their ideas may not be so helpful, some think I’m being stubborn. And…