Arts education survey,

ChristieAcres · #81 03/07/13, 05:35 PM

When I homeschooled my children over a ten year span, I paid for every single book, all the materials, and for everything required in this endeavor. My budget was about $800 per year and that included lots of fun day trips, etc... I taught an incredibly diverse curriculum,covering (12) topics per day, creating some of them myself (Values & Morals was a class...). I exceeded the School requirements easily. Teaching was 4 hours/day, 4 days per week, and the rest of the time was spent on all the extra opportunities to learn outside the box. I raised analytical thinkers who are a blast to hang out with. They are both diversely gifted young adults. DD is a Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist/Realtor/Artist. DS is a Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist (electric) and also working towards Hotel Management. They both do very well with domestic chores, excel in cooking, and DD is now learning about canning & wants to be a Homesteader, too. DS has goals to work towards that later, as he is more career focused right now. Neither were interested in competitive sports. DD could have done well if she wanted to. DS lacked the coordination due to Epilepsy (outgrew that fortunately). Both benefited from physical fitness training, are incredibly creative in different ways. I taught all the basic elements of art and went beyond that. I even taught my children how to swim. Both are excellent strong swimmers, too.

I think art has a role in school, but only a critical role to those students who are gifted in it. It should be an elective. That in itself would decrease funding dramatically.

I agree with Wyldthang in that classes should be taught far more creatively, bringing in elements to reach all learning styles!

wyld thang · #82 03/07/13, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

More TAX dollars won't change that

Arts education survey, - Homesteading Questions

Bearfootfarm · #83 03/07/13, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyld thang

Silly pictures can't replace logic

SLFarmMI · #84 03/07/13, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

More TAX dollars won't change that

Never said more money was the answer. It would be helpful if the politicians (who would probably run screaming if they ever had to try teaching) would stop piling more and more regulations and requirements on public schools while exempting private and charter schools. It would also be helpful if people who have no experience with schools would stop the bashing when they haven't even been in the building.

And now I'll step down off the soapbox.

Yvonne's hubby · #85 03/07/13, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLFarmMI

It would also be helpful if people who have no experience with schools would stop the bashing when they haven't even been in the building.

And now I'll step down off the soapbox.

I have been in my share of school buildings, wasn't all that impressed with the way things were being done. There was too much focus on sports and art, very little offered by way of stuff kids need to know.

Bearfootfarm · #86 03/07/13, 11:00 PM

Quote:

It would also be helpful if people who have no experience with schools would stop the bashing when they haven't even been in the building.

I doubt there's anyone here who hasn't been in school, and most have had kids and grandkids in school

I'm not that impressed with the results many get, and some of the teachers don't inspire much confidence either.

wyld thang · #87 03/08/13, 02:41 AM

ChristieAcres · #88 03/08/13, 03:27 AM

Wyldthang, you just need to be the difference for your students. One can't change the world, but can change their own world, right?! Sometimes that touches those around us in wonderful ways... So, keep reaching your students in wonderful creative ways!

Murramarang · #89 03/08/13, 03:41 AM

Too much time and money is spent on sports in our schools.

JawjaBoy · #90 03/08/13, 08:24 AM

I went to an independent (non-state funded) school. Small classes that concentrated on students actually learning. Lots of emphasis on the 3 R's. We did have a sports program and various arts activities, but a failure to maintain adequate grades resulted in suspension of those privileges. Personally, I think there needs to be more focus on "old fashioned" classes along the lines of home economics and shop. It's my opinion that there has been such a focus on "arts" education that today's youth no longer knows how to actually DO anything.

LFmenagerie · #91 03/08/13, 12:11 PM

From A School Principal's speech at a graduation..

He said "The Doctor wants his child to become a doctor.........

the Engineer wants his child to become an engineer......

The Businessman wants his ward to become CEO.....

BUT a teacher also wants his child to become one of them, as well..!!!!

Nobody wants to become a teacher BY CHOICE" ....Very sad but that's the truth.....!!!

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.

One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued,

"What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"

To stress his point he said to another guest;

"You're a teacher, Bonnie . Be honest. What do you make?"

Teacher Bonnie , who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied,

"You want to know what I make?

(She paused for a second, then began...)

"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.

I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor winner.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't

make them sit for 5 min . without an I- Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.

You want to know what I make ?

(She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table)

I make kids wonder.

I make them question.

I make them apologize and mean it.

I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.

I teach them how to write and then I make them write.

Keyboarding isn't everything.

I make them read, read, read.

I make them show all their work in math.

They use their God given brain, not the man-made calculator.

I make my students from other countries learn everything they need

to know about English while preserving their unique cultural identity.

I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they

were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life

( Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)

Then, when people try to judge me by what I make , with me knowing money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant. You want to know what I make ?

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN ALL YOUR LIVES, EDUCATING KIDS AND PREPARING THEM TO BECOME CEO's , AND DOCTORS AND ENGINEERS..........

What do you make Mr. CEO?

His jaw dropped; he went silent.