Quote of the Day!

‎"Every child in America entering school at the age of five is mentally ill because he comes to school with certain allegiances to our founding fathers, toward our elected officials, toward his parents, toward a belief in a supernatural being...It is up to you as teachers to make all of these sick children well–by creating the international child of the future." ~ Dr. Chester M. Pierce, professor (now emeritus) of education and psychiatry at Harvard.

It is my understanding that quote came from Educating for the New World Order (1973).  If that was the thought then I shutter to think what it is now. I doubt that this line of thinking has done a 180; if anything it most likly holds true today as it did then.

I know that this is only one professors line of thinking, but I'm sure he taught this to the education majors and in turn I'm sure they either taught it or believe it. Thus I wouldn't be surprise if there are teachers teaching that honestly believe this, not only that but I'm sure HOW they do their job is greatly effected by it.

Merry Christmas

The Brain Dissection

We finished up our ExploraVision projects with a sheep's brain dissection. Of course no brain dissection is complete without some food first! First pizza, then brain dissection.

Image is from our co-op's site: I-HOPE. Used with permission.

The sheep's brain honestly felt much smoother then what any of us imagine. That really was a shock for all of us. Even the outside of the brain where it looks all wrinkly was relatively smooth.

Doing the ExploraVision project hasn't been exactly easy for us, however I'm glad we decided to do it. Web-princess and Superstar really did get to learn a lot about the brain, ADD, ADHD, cochlear implants, and other learning disabilities and what effect they have on the human brain.  Dissecting the sheep's brain was just icing on the cake so to speak. After spending weeks learning about the different lobes and their functions they got to see the different lobes on a real brain!

Happy Meals are Banned!

Back in April 2010, I shared how in  a CA county there might be an ordinance/law that would banned toys being sold with happy meals. Well this ordinance/law just passed and will be in effect by Dec, 2011. I think it's great that the Mayor tried to veto the ordinance, but the committy over ruled the mayor's veto. Thus it will still be law.  What is happening to our FREE market?

It's not McD's fault it's parents lack of will power and willingness to tell their children NO! We frequent fast food joints, more often then I really would like to omit, but I can tell you it's been a good year now since my kids have had a Happy Meal. One they NEVER liked fries; second they have never cared for the apples either. So I would spend the money for the drink, hamburger, and toy. Instead of doing that and throwing away food. I've resorted to just ordering of the dollar menu for the children. They eat all the food then and it's cheaper.

Superstar: McChicken, yogurt, and water. Cost $2
Web-Princess: McDouble, yogurt, and water. Cost $2.
(water if free if you are ordering food; I just get the cup and the kids will fill it up w/water at the soda machine)

That is my spending habits now, but not everyone is like me and that's fine. I just think government is over reaching when they go into the private market place and dictate what can and can not be sold with a product.

This morning thinking about it: I wonder if McD could get around the ordinance by charging extra for toys?? Similar to charging more to get cheese on a sandwich? The toys, technically would no longer be sold with the meal, but consumers would have the option to buy them. "Yes, I would like a hamburger happy meal with fries, soda, and a toy please".

ExploraVision!

My world has been slightly consumed with ExlporaVision! Hopefully the team projects will be done this week and life can go back to somewhat of a normal life! LOL What is ExploraVision? ExploraVision is a science competition that encourages K-12 students of all interest, skill and ability levels to create and explore a vision of future technology by combining their imaginations with the tools of science. It's a hands-on, minds-on project that inspires students and fuels imagination. The competition is sponsored by Toshiba and NSTA. First place teams will receive a $10,000 savings bond for each child on the team. National finalist will also recieve a trip to Washington DC.

This has been a good and fun project for the kids and I. It has really stretch us! I'm coaching a K-3 team. I can't share exactly what the project is, but I can tell you it involves AIR! It's amazing to see what these girls have come up with in regards to air.

Web-Princess and Superstar are on the same team. Their team consist of kids of a more broader age range. The oldest child in their group is in 7th grade. So even though Web-Princess and Superstar are in 4th/3rd their project will be competing in the 7th-9th grade age range. It's totally acceptable that their group has that wide age range, but it also means they have to compete in the grade level as the oldest child. I can't share much about their project either. I can just say it involves the brain and on Friday we will be dissecting a sheep's brain!!!

Seeing it's a group project we are going to be dissecting the brain with the group! We will be doing this Friday Night. It will be a pizza and dissecting party! That's going to be fun!!!!!!

Facebook and Networked Blogs

Catholic Christian Homeschooling now has a fan page on facebook. We have stepped up in the world! LOL! The primary purpose of the fan page is let people know when we have a new blog post here. I've also have set up networked blogs. That way the posting I make here will automatically be posted on our facebook fan page! :) Just thought you would like to know!