What’s Happening Wednesday: Homeschooled kids have the edge

Data has already shown that homeschooled students score higher on tests and general grades than public schooled children, but for many of us that’s certainly not a reason to homeschool. (In fact, the presence of such testing is one of the many things a lot of us hate about the system.) This new data shows that homeschooled kids also “perform” better at college—another phrase I’m not sure I like. Even so, it’s nice to have these stats when people give you trouble over homeschooling. On a general sense, you can’t argue an academic disadvantage against facts. Then again…

Here’s an interesting blog about the new Common Core standards that are sweeping the nation. It’s interesting, but I don’t know if the information is accurate or not—everything about CC seems so political that no one seems to define it in the same way. I just don’t get it. Oh, I get their purpose; our schools were originally designed after the Prussian system to create cookie cutter, obedient soldiers and workers, and such a curriculum would suit such purposes fine. But every piece of information I run across seems conflicting. It’s required; it’s not. It’s going to change everything; it’s something you can ignore. Does our own government even know what it is? If you have some good, solid info I’d love to read it.

Check out this cool video that features 650 million years in under two minutes!

My fellow humanists may be interested in these 12 most popular posts at the Humane Connection blog. They feature some helpful resources about teaching critical thinking, recognizing too much media exposure and an analysis of beauty standards.

And here’s a lovely photo and quote, the latter from Gordon Neufeld: “We liberate children not by making them work for our love, but by letting them rest in it.”

Photo of Wood Sprite’s mud kitchen/lab courtesy of Sara S.