Sage Wonderings
Are There Things That Should be Mandatory?
I made this post to ask a question: what do you think should be taught to every student in the country?
Some that seem good to me:
I think people should be taught how to talk with people who have mental health issues or are going through intense stress. Knowing how to communicate when emotions are high and volatile seems like a life skill...
To me, this means that public school in its current form is sacred to most Americans. The faith put in it is such that there isn't always an open mind when alternatives are suggested. It may not be a religious institution, but in my opinion, there is no practical point to distinguish between something that you are...
I believe that intelligence is three things: thoughtfulness, education, and experience. It is possible to be very strong in one category and be very intelligent because of that strength, but have room for improvement and further intellectual growth in another. I believe that I have a great deal of thoughtfulness, but could seriously grow in terms of experience and education by attending more events and programs and spending more time reading nonfiction and participating in events and movements. Part of my motivation for joining IDEA was to further my own education and...
One of the consistent parts of his program is that he will bring people on to interview. In a recent episode, he interviewed a man named Cevin Soling, who is a filmmaker and writer who recently wrote the book and directed a movie called ''The War on Kids.'' In these respective works, Cevin Soling denounces schools as being prison-like, claims that schools are out of line with our (the American government's/populace's) goal of having participants in a...
For example, within democratic education circles, we know what we believe and why it makes sense. However, we don't necessarily know what others believe about education, and why it makes sense to them to believe those things.
I listen to a lot of Republican talk radio -- not really because I want to, but because my dad is frequently the one driving me around,...
The thing you should know about my writing is that I consider myself a student. With any given situation, I seek to learn, understand, and explain. Hence the title -- Sage Wonderings. It's me, Kris Sage, wondering about things that have to do with life.
I have to confess to being somewhat at a loss for what to tell you. Any suggestions of what you might like to hear from me...
Posted on Dec 26, 2009 - 07:33 PM by Kris Sage
One of the primary differences between alternative or democratic educational schooling and public schooling from what I've observed is that there are different stances around mandatory education. Some alternative schools do not have mandatory education at all. Several have mandatory education models that orient around activities that don't occur at all in public school. Others do believe in that everyone should have to learn basic math and writing.I made this post to ask a question: what do you think should be taught to every student in the country?
Some that seem good to me:
I think people should be taught how to talk with people who have mental health issues or are going through intense stress. Knowing how to communicate when emotions are high and volatile seems like a life skill...
Read More... 2 Comments
The Nature of IdeasPosted on Dec 13, 2009 - 11:47 PM by Kris Sage
One of the things that I found appealing about democratic education is that, in its essence, it's a challenge against a widely accepted norm. There are many different suggested ways within democratic and alternative education circles to challenge the norm, but most all of them are against public school in its current form. But it's worth noting that not only is it a challenge against the norm - it's a challenge against a norm that many people do not think twice about.To me, this means that public school in its current form is sacred to most Americans. The faith put in it is such that there isn't always an open mind when alternatives are suggested. It may not be a religious institution, but in my opinion, there is no practical point to distinguish between something that you are...
Read More... 3 Comments
What is Intelligence, and Can You Teach It?Posted on Dec 04, 2009 - 09:42 PM by Kris Sage
So, before I say anything, disclaimer: this is opinion. I have not read psychology texts on intelligence, and do not know how it is currently defined by the American government. This is my own study and analysis.I believe that intelligence is three things: thoughtfulness, education, and experience. It is possible to be very strong in one category and be very intelligent because of that strength, but have room for improvement and further intellectual growth in another. I believe that I have a great deal of thoughtfulness, but could seriously grow in terms of experience and education by attending more events and programs and spending more time reading nonfiction and participating in events and movements. Part of my motivation for joining IDEA was to further my own education and...
Read More... 3 Comments
Motions Against Mainstream American Education in Media?Posted on Dec 03, 2009 - 03:13 AM by Kris Sage
I recently watched the Colbert Report, a satirical program. It is styled as a talk show, with the host pretending to be a heavy handed, superstitious, elitist right wing republican in order to make fun of that demographic. He also opportunistically satirizes just about anyone else who makes illogical mistakes in the political world.One of the consistent parts of his program is that he will bring people on to interview. In a recent episode, he interviewed a man named Cevin Soling, who is a filmmaker and writer who recently wrote the book and directed a movie called ''The War on Kids.'' In these respective works, Cevin Soling denounces schools as being prison-like, claims that schools are out of line with our (the American government's/populace's) goal of having participants in a...
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Education Everywhere: How Video Games Can Teach YouPosted on Dec 03, 2009 - 02:42 AM by Kris Sage
Something that I've always considered a crucial part of my self-education was video gaming. I've learned so very much from it. I've learned stuff that's pretty mundane - typing skills, quick reading and writing skills, learning how to use words in a context where people couldn't see my body language or tone of voice. And yet, I've also learned some pretty advanced skills that have served me in every other area of my life. I've learned how to analyze disparate facts and learn what I could do based off of that information. I've learned how to cope with failure and rebuttal. I've learned how to keep very calm under intense pressure. I've learned how to study language and speaking to learn more about a person I'm talking with. These are things that help me every day of my life, and that I...Read More... 1 Comments
To Create Change, Understand Your OppositionPosted on Nov 20, 2009 - 06:30 PM by Kris Sage
I believe that there's something that's important for us to keep in mind when it comes to sharing democratic education with the mainstream. We know what we believe, and why we think the things we believe in are important. Of course we do. But have you ever felt that it's difficult to try to convince others -- moderate or uninformed people, and especially people with conservative backgrounds -- of why your viewpoint makes sense?For example, within democratic education circles, we know what we believe and why it makes sense. However, we don't necessarily know what others believe about education, and why it makes sense to them to believe those things.
I listen to a lot of Republican talk radio -- not really because I want to, but because my dad is frequently the one driving me around,...
Read More... 1 Comments
Welcome to Sage WonderingsPosted on Nov 18, 2009 - 12:31 PM by Kris Sage
My name is Kris Sage, and I'm a 16-year-old college student living in Portland, OR. My experience with democratic education is comprised of three and a half years at a democratic school, The Village Free School, and attendance at various conferences. I've waited a long time to see a wide, coordinated movement between individuals interested in democratic education, and I see IDEA as building that kind of movement.The thing you should know about my writing is that I consider myself a student. With any given situation, I seek to learn, understand, and explain. Hence the title -- Sage Wonderings. It's me, Kris Sage, wondering about things that have to do with life.
I have to confess to being somewhat at a loss for what to tell you. Any suggestions of what you might like to hear from me...
Read More... 0 Comments
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