Living Without School: Excellence in Education.

Monday, January 29, 2007

Excellence in Education.

Last night, Anthony (youngest son) and I had a discussion on education and excellence.

We were cleaning up together after visitors.

Some of our conversation with our visitors had been on educational excellence.

While cleaning the kitchen , Anthony mentioned his thoughts. To his mind, the most important goals in education were to "have a love for learning and to know the basics."

If by basics Anthony means the tools of learning, then I am right there with him.

The Lost Tools of Learning by Dorothy Sayers.

Sometimes, Anthony reminds me of Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes - he says the most amazing things!

9 comments:

Luke said...: Lol, very Anthony - I can imagine him saying that. :); 10:15 am
Leonie said...: Yes - very Calvin!; 10:26 am
Ladybug Mommy Maria said...: Gotta love Calvin!

What a perceptive young man Anthony is!; 10:43 am
Leonie said...: We all love Calvin - Anthony learned to read on some of Calvin and Hobbes ( and Snoopy/Charlie Brown and Ladybird readers and the Civilization computer game) ;-); 11:23 am
Cindy said...: Tell me how old Anny is now?
Great perspective. Often, too, when kids say wise things... it is not un-attached from what they have been modeled by their parents.. :); 1:11 am
Leonie said...: :-)Anny is 10 ( or wait, did he turn 11 - I am bad at ages!).; 8:49 am
Anonymous said...: I like Annie's perspective on this!Wise little man. When I come across those very organised and consistant homeschoolers whose children have stuck to a glorious classicul curriculum, I comfort myself with the thought that amongst the gaping holes and gaps in our homeschooling are the lovely gems of wisdom nestled in an intact love of learning!

You wrote earlier about unschooling within a framework of parentally (lovingly) imposed 'havetos'. I am most comfortable with this, it feels both natural and responsible!

I would love to be a fly on the wall with some of these discussions in your household.

Hi Cindy!!!!
God Bless
Shannon; 8:36 am
Leonie said...: Hi Shannon, so cool to hear from you. I like you comment about gaps and wisdom and love for learning...; 6:04 pm
Anonymous said...: Hey Shannon!

What's up with you? I miss you!

Cindy; 10:09 am

Prayer of Consecration of St. Maximilian Kolbe

O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to thee. I, N___, a repentant sinner, cast myself at thy feet humbly imploring thee to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to thyself as thy possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death and eternity, whatever most pleases thee. If it pleases thee, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of thee: "She will crush your head," and, "Thou alone have destroyed all heresies in the whole world."

Let me be a fit instrument in thine Immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and increasing the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed Kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For wherever thou enters, one obtains the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through thy hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

V. Allow me to praise thee O Sacred Virgin.
R. Give me strength against thy enemies.

Prayer of St Bonaventure

Pierce, O most Sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful wound of Thy love, with true, serene, and most holy apostolic charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with love and longing for Thee, that it may yearn for Thee and faint for Thy courts, and long to be dissolved and to be with Thee.Grant that my soul may hunger after Thee, the bread of angels, the refreshment of holy souls, our daily and supersubstantial bread, having all sweetness and savor and every delight of taste; let my heart ever hunger after and feed upon Thee, upon whom the angels desire to look, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of Thy savor; may it ever thirst after Thee, the fountain of life, the fountain of wisdom and knowledge, the fountain of eternal light, the torrent of pleasure, the richness of the house of God.May it ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee, attain Thee, meditate upon Thee, speak of Thee, and do all things to the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with ease and affection, and with perseverance unto the end.May Thou alone be ever my hope, my entire assurance, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my fragrance, my sweet savor, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession and my treasure, in whom may my mind and my heart be fixed and firmly rooted immovably henceforth and for ever. Amen.