librariesandlemonade:

but these all seem like pretty shabby reasons to unschool. Homeschooling and unschooling in the US education model might be right for some people, and there are lots of reasons for that, but these really bug me, both because they discredit a lot of the legitimate reasons people do it and because they’re traits and experiences LOTS of kids who wouldn’t benefit from unschooling probably share.

I almost never even check the #education tag anymore. It used to be full of things that added to my knowledge, both of education itself and of the people working in the field (whether traditionally or in other ways). Now, most days, I get a lot more from the unmoderated #teaching tag, so I usually pay more attention to that.

It’s always pretty easy to tell which posts get promoted by which editors, too. Variety of voices is nice, sure, because the input of a variety of kinds of educators with a variety of philosophies is important, but this has been more than that, and not often in a positive way.

I agree that this list describes many attributes of general students, not just those who need to unschool. I hated being a freshman in high school, I love to read, I felt trapped in classes below my level, I hate busy work for the sake of keeping quiet, but homeschooling wasn’t my solution.  It wasn’t right for me.  What was right for me? Taking AP classes and getting a head start on my college education.  I shared classes with people who shared my interests, the material was more challenging, we were asked to think and challenge instead of memorize, and I thrived.

Maybe that post would be better off if it was “You might want to consider unschooling/homeschooling if…” Not “You SHOULD…”

(via girlwithalessonplan)

sonic-hip-attack:

Or even what they should say.

I just believe in a human being’s ability to realize that they have the potential to hurt someone with what they’re doing, and stop themselves from doing it. I believe in empathy and compassion. And I believe you can still be funny or flirty or sexy or brilliant without hurting someone.

So revolutionary and “fascist” (legit just saw someone call me that) of me.

Did you not know that telling someone that they aren’t funny and that their words can hurt is how all fascists get their start? Like In this clip, Fozzy Bear is clearly the biggest fascist of all time. You know, wanting other people to pause and think about what they’re saying instead of walking around hurting each other because the have the legal right to do it. Ugh, how rude of him.  Assholes on the internet:  Just because it’s A right doesn’t make it right.

girlwithalessonplan:

librariesandlemonade:

morerobots:

libraryadvocates:

Should there be a ratings system for young adult books?

This is an interesting idea. I can see the merits of it - I have accidentally picked up YA books that were much too young for me but didn’t appear to be (not that it is a bad thing, just not what I wanted).

But i think there is a downside too: policing of the books ya are seeking.

I personally just think we need a clearer distinction between “YA” meant for 13-year-olds and “YA” meant for 22-year-olds. Both age groups are technically within the window of the YA audience (middle grade tends to target the 10-13 crowd, while adult novels are usually geared toward people who are beyond college age, though neither is always 100% true), but writers, readers, and the people who act as mediators between those groups (publishers, booksellers, teachers, librarians, etc) all have different perceptions as to what the YA audience is depending on which ones you talk to. Obviously the books written for somebody who’s 13 or 15 or 18 or 22 are all going to need to be different in terms of content and reading level. The YA category as a descriptor is, in my mind, mostly useless most of the time.

A rating system also runs the risk of creating a sweeping line for removing materials from YA collections, which is also not good, but I’m honestly more and more concerned lately, as people discuss YA more often, that we’re almost never having the same conversations just because the term means so little.

GWALP adds:  Now that I know more about Lexile scores, I wonder if there would be value adding that to books.  ”Along Came A Spider” falls in the middle school Lexile range, but would you have a middle schooler read that book?  

GWALP, I actually did read that book in middle school.  We had independent book journals, and I basically alternated between King, Patterson, and Crichton. That said, I wouldn’t put it on a reading list or recommend it without talking to parents first.

thisgingersnapsback:

abaldwin360:

thisgingersnapsback:

temporarydust replied to your post: So apparently Tumblr is just full of shitdicks…

Just today?

Well, today in particular. Aaron’s getting hatemail for basically being a human being who has shitty days.

I wonder what it is about me that brings that out in people.

Fucking seriously.

It’s pretty much the story of my fucking life.

I get the feeling that a lot of people don’t expect you to really have any personality, which is just such bullshit. I don’t fucking understand it. You’re not obligated to ANYONE when it comes to the material you post and if people don’t like it they can go fuck themselves.

 (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡 ┻━┻

Some of the comments from other people implying that child support and custody is ALWAYS about control and punishment made me feel uncomfortable, but I’m an adult so I tried to ignore it.  I will admit to almost sending an ask to this effect, but didn’t want to add to the drama.  Aaron’s situation is horrible, he should have more control over his situation, support shouldn’t be biased against men, and he can feel however he wants to about his situation, but it isn’t typical.  I think that a few of the comments and asks were starting to move towards some of the shit you see on Men Going Their Own Way.  A lot of people who seek child support honestly do it in the best interest of their child, not to punish the ex.  Although this isn’t the case in Aaron’s situation, I feel like there was some cutting down of women who legitimately need child support to maintain their family by people who aren’t Aaron, and that isn’t cool.   That said, Aaron has the right to feel feelings and to post whatever he wants without greyfaces trying to imply that he somehow planned for his divorce to happen or is a horrible person for questioning a flawed system.

abaldwin360:

thatswhatshetumblrd:

mikesinfiniteconfusion:

the-altar:

all-because-of-u:

Yes…I usually hear 23 ….idk if that’s good or bad.

People say I look 25 clean shaven and 40 with a beard. LoL!

People tell me I am in my low to mid-twenties.

Everyone at work thinks I’m 16-17.

I’m 37, most people guess I’m in my mid-to-late 20’s.

I got IDed twice the last time I went to an R rated movie (over the summer).  Once buying the ticket, and the manager ran over to me and asked me for it while I was trying to enter the theater.  Tomorrow is my 26th birthday, and my hair is starting to turn grey.  Maybe they think it’s highlights?

(Source: thisistiffanyle)