InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "*Facepalm*"

yesidid (yesidid) wrote in compass_network,
@ 2019-03-13 19:56:00

Entry tags:

!open, miguel o'hara, ~darcy lewis, ~george vi

So, in my stint of being very anti-social, I've been thinking. More and more kids around here either are or are going to soon be school-age and we may want to set up some kind of teaching system. Doesn't have to be a traditional school by any means, but maybe something structured that lets kids get in some socialization along with the learning and be there in case parents don't want to home-school.

In my head I'm thinking maybe 3 'classes':
One for kids who have never been to school that will start at the very beginning, reading, writing, basic math, all that stuff then eventually moving in to basic understanding processes (think preschool-elementary)
Another for anyone who's already got a good base and wants to learn more complex things, but is still young or doesn't want to be overwhelmed (think middle-high school)
And finally one that's a sort of...continuing education thing. Maybe shorter series of classes to learn specific, complex things. I know some people are doing these already, but we could broaden the subjects maybe? Include things like cooking, fighting, or other crafts as well as more traditional learning? (like adult-ed classes)

I'm open to suggestions and anyone who wants to help. I could probably handle the first class but would need help with the others. Personally, I've got a poly-sci degree so I could do higher classes on civics, some ethics, or other social sciences and I'm decent with technology but I know there are plenty of others around here that are much better for that.

Any thoughts?

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george_vi
2019-03-13 09:14 pm UTC (link)

This is a splendid idea.

I am not sure what I could teach exactly, but I do have a fair bit of experience training military cadets and working with young people at summer camps - we did a lot of Scouting type activities.

As for my own university experience, I studied civics, economics and history (although as I am from 1939 of course there would be a point when someone more up to date would have to take over.)

If I can be of any use, I should be glad of the occupation. I am not used to being so idle.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

yesidid
2019-03-16 02:18 am UTC (link)

You know, we may actually have enough people from enough times to cover a good portion of history with people who were actually there. Maybe you could help with English for the middle group of kids as well? I'm going to see if someone else could do ASL and maybe French too

Scouting skills could probably be useful through the doors at times, and there will probably be at least some people just interested for the knowledge.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

george_vi
2019-03-16 11:16 pm UTC (link)

That is true - what better than a first hand account. I know more than most about Britain pre-1939, I should think. ~~Particularly the royal~~ My education was very heavily focused on British history, particularly about the government and the monarchy, even before university.

Reading and writing, certainly. I am not the man to teach speech, though. I have a terrible stammer. It would take forever.

Yes, it might be useful knowledge to have, and the team work and problem-solving skills are quite transferable to other subjects. Keeps it less classroom based, as well.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

	miguel_ohara 2019-03-13 10:25 pm UTC (link)
	I'm already doing science classes but I can work something out for the little kids if you want? (Reply to this) (Thread)

	yesidid 2019-03-16 02:19 am UTC (link)
	That'd be helpful, science was never my best subject. I'm going to get Bruce to help me figure out things for the little ones but the older kids class would probably ask questions I couldn't answer. (Reply to this) (Parent)

mr_rochester
2019-03-13 10:56 pm UTC (link)

This would be wonderful for Adele. It is a shame for her education to be cut short just when she was starting to get into more of a routine with her learning. Whether or not she will agree is another matter, but I suppose that is always the way at her age.

She would be in what you class as 'middle school' I think. She is nearing 12, but her formal education only commenced when she was around 9. Still, she can read and write do basic arithmetic and what have you, of course. Ah, also, her first language is French, but she is much more competent with her English now, I am sure she would be able to keep up well.

As for myself, I'm not certain that I have any particular skills to pass on. I have a classical sort of an education, but I lack the patience to teach, I think. It is precisely why I never attempted to educate Adele on my own, and rather put that responsibility into the hands of others more suited to the task in their disposition.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

yesidid
2019-03-16 02:23 am UTC (link)

I feel like you're usually right there. Though we would not need to be as structured as traditional schools. The classes will be much smaller and we can do more personalized work.

I'll think we will mostly be teaching in English and sign language but I may see if someone will teach French as well, maybe Adele could even help the very young kids learn.

That's alright! We should have enough teachers, I wouldn't want to make anyone do it if they're not interested.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

	maryanne_walker 2019-03-14 05:07 am UTC (link)
	Five of my kids are school age or near school age, and they sort of know how to read and write, but on the basics of first grade level. I think this is a great idea Darcy. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	yesidid 2019-03-16 02:14 am UTC (link)
	Thanks Maryanne. I think a lot of the kids are about there so it should work out well for the youngest group. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	maryanne_walker 2019-03-16 04:19 am UTC (link)
	It'll be good to socialize them better than I have been, too. It's basically family unit, they know the other kids exist, but rarely see them. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	_night_watchman 2019-03-14 05:15 am UTC (link)
	My son is five, he knows how to read, write and a bit of rudimentary maths, but my education, while extensive for a woman in the twelfth century... Is still based in the twelfth century so there is only so much that I can teach him. But, that said, I could teach fighting classes, sword fighting, bow and arrow, bow staff, and some agility based hand to hand? (Reply to this) (Thread)

	yesidid 2019-03-16 02:13 am UTC (link)
	It sounds like he is at the same level as a lot of the others so he should fit in well. And you'd always be welcome in some of the other classes if you ever wanted to learn more. That would be good, I imagine a lot of people might want to learn those sort of things. I'll probably work on scheduling and let everyone know as we figure out the special classes. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	_night_watchman 2019-03-16 04:21 am UTC (link)
	I may do. At least for a brush up. Very good. Though, my mornings are occupied, I am usually free for the rest of the day. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	yellow_zu 2019-03-14 10:45 am UTC (link)
	I know your school will be amazing. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	yesidid 2019-03-16 02:11 am UTC (link)
	Thank you, I hope so (Reply to this) (Parent)