What I Learned In School
Lego Brick Shipbuilding Day
My Going Merry build is going slowly, unlike the rate at which the Kalmar Nyckel’s Lego Brick Shipbuilding Day is approaching.
They posted this pic of Isaac (in red) and I’m excited to see how all our builds do in competition.
A *Somewhat* Private Performance
We’re fortunate to have Gerald Chavis instructing Isaac on the trumpet.
In addition to his wonderful tutelage, Gerald leads multiple live music endeavors and takes the spotlight in solo performances.
Tonight we had the pleasure of sitting in on the Clifford Brown Festival Orchestra’s rehearsal. For a moment, we had the auditorium to ourselves.
It’s important to my educational approach to expose my sons to the possible futures, to show them what can be possible if they dedicate their lives to growth.
On Calculus
Help them learn how to learn. Once they know their optimal learning style, they can teach themselves anything.
Statistically speaking, no one uses calculus:
A Proud Moment
My sons are participating in Pages Alive Theater‘s Shakespeare Festival. Both will serve in multiple roles, but two stand out as special.
Westen will be playing Mercutio in his death scene from Romeo and Juliet. With sword fighting, a flurry of double entendres, and a flamboyant exit, Westen was made for this role. He’s seen it on stage and screen and I’m excited to see his interpretation.
Isaac is getting stretched with the “slings and arrows” speech from Hamlet. Certainly the most somber role he has tackled, it will fit well as he becomes a teenager this Spring.
I’m blessed with how much these boys love Shakespeare. As much as they like the stage, nothing motivates them like the Bard.
Shipbuilding!
The Kalmar Nyckel Lego Shipbuilding Day is coming and we are busy creating ships and hosting other families who want to join in the fun.
But What About College?
In this episode of The Tom Woods Show, Michael Gibson discusses his 1517 Fund. He’s part of a growing movement away from the established educational institutions. The Fund aims to support those who aren’t following the institution-to-career path that has become the modern norm.
This project is one of the concrete ways that “renegade students” have of creating value without accreditation.
We Could All Use A Little Deschooling
Anyone can unschool, but it requires a brand new mindset for most people.
Deschooling is an intense process, it’s not about “taking time off” school, it’s about analyzing the innumerable assumptions we carry with us from our past. Yes, school-based assumptions are the initial target, but the process has taken me further back, to a more authentic self than I have known since I was a child.
It’s not comfortable to let go of testing and age-based metrics, but it is so worth it as we live in a world that doesn’t care how well adults do on tests.
Rookie Season
This year has been a parade of novice excursions: business ownership, living in a blended family, continuing my white belt journey in jiu-jitsu, and taking on goaltending as a primary position in soccer.
It’s an exciting place to be as I approach my mid 40s. New challenges are constantly arising: fixing a clothes dryer, installing a dishwasher, and various other repairs were other first-times this year.
The process is rarely comfortable and never smooth, but the results compound to make me more capable to face the next obstacle.
Back to Building
We hosted a couple families for Lego building and had wonderful exchanges about our various home education journeys.
