When talking to parents/visitors in our self-directed education center, I use the Wizard of Oz analogy regularly. And it's always troubling to see the challenge many of our young people face in embracing their "inner Ferrari" after years of felling like a two-wheeled cart. Thanks for sharing the wisdom!
This is a big part of what I say to parents too - "You don’t necessarily have to pull your child out of school. You could take small steps that start to create moments of freedom, choice, and agency." Those small steps make a BIG difference. We did homeschool our oldest kids for a number of years. That wasn't an option with #4. But those years of homeschooling -- learning from my kids & from people like Peter Gray -- taught me the value of honoring & facilitating kids' interests. So, for my youngest son, this looked like prioritizing "garage time" for him. He's a kid who loves to tinker, who's mechanical; he eventually took over a third or more of my garage. And he ultimately rebuilt snowmobiles, started (& continues) a lawn and landscaping business (doing all his own machine maintenance). I knew how important those things were (& are) to his development, so at times, I prioritized his garage time over homework. He's now 18, thriving, and planning to grow his lawn/landscaping business while taking small business entrepreneurship classes at a local tech school next year.
CB, This essay by you covers a lot of ground. Since the Prussians wanted to dominate their children and the industrialists found that useful, we continue to pull with oxen. Thanks! M
Unfortunately in some countries, a child being beaten (at home or school) is not considered an outrage because of euphemisms like corporal punishment, discipline, consequences (the latter seems especially popular in the USA)
Another angle to this story is that the present mass schooling method (confusingly called “traditional” in the English speaking west) derives from a time when children were chattel. Until 1989 children were internationally chattel and even 35 years since social attitudes have not changed much
Great post! I tend to lean towards believe we need a complete shake up of the education systems and that is shouldn’t be up to us individually - but a collective responsibility.
Myself being an educator, "The Ox and The Ferrari" resonated deeply as it led me onto the intense journey of self-discovery and self-contemplation. The analogy between an ox and a Ferrari provided a powerful framework for challenging my perspectives on success and fulfilment, particularly in the context of education. Through its captivating narrative and insightful reflections, "The Ox and The Ferrari" compelled me to reconsider my teaching approach and inspired me to guide my students towards a life of purpose.
This idea really took hold of me after reading Dumbing us down and the other works of John Taylor Gatto. I have been struggling with this concept this year. I am teaching at a school where most of the students are reluctantly attending. I do not like to engage in coercive education but I am expected of course to give tests and all related accoutrements associated with teaching.
When talking to parents/visitors in our self-directed education center, I use the Wizard of Oz analogy regularly. And it's always troubling to see the challenge many of our young people face in embracing their "inner Ferrari" after years of felling like a two-wheeled cart. Thanks for sharing the wisdom!
This is a big part of what I say to parents too - "You don’t necessarily have to pull your child out of school. You could take small steps that start to create moments of freedom, choice, and agency." Those small steps make a BIG difference. We did homeschool our oldest kids for a number of years. That wasn't an option with #4. But those years of homeschooling -- learning from my kids & from people like Peter Gray -- taught me the value of honoring & facilitating kids' interests. So, for my youngest son, this looked like prioritizing "garage time" for him. He's a kid who loves to tinker, who's mechanical; he eventually took over a third or more of my garage. And he ultimately rebuilt snowmobiles, started (& continues) a lawn and landscaping business (doing all his own machine maintenance). I knew how important those things were (& are) to his development, so at times, I prioritized his garage time over homework. He's now 18, thriving, and planning to grow his lawn/landscaping business while taking small business entrepreneurship classes at a local tech school next year.
CB, This essay by you covers a lot of ground. Since the Prussians wanted to dominate their children and the industrialists found that useful, we continue to pull with oxen. Thanks! M
Unfortunately in some countries, a child being beaten (at home or school) is not considered an outrage because of euphemisms like corporal punishment, discipline, consequences (the latter seems especially popular in the USA)
Another angle to this story is that the present mass schooling method (confusingly called “traditional” in the English speaking west) derives from a time when children were chattel. Until 1989 children were internationally chattel and even 35 years since social attitudes have not changed much
Great post! I tend to lean towards believe we need a complete shake up of the education systems and that is shouldn’t be up to us individually - but a collective responsibility.
Myself being an educator, "The Ox and The Ferrari" resonated deeply as it led me onto the intense journey of self-discovery and self-contemplation. The analogy between an ox and a Ferrari provided a powerful framework for challenging my perspectives on success and fulfilment, particularly in the context of education. Through its captivating narrative and insightful reflections, "The Ox and The Ferrari" compelled me to reconsider my teaching approach and inspired me to guide my students towards a life of purpose.
This idea really took hold of me after reading Dumbing us down and the other works of John Taylor Gatto. I have been struggling with this concept this year. I am teaching at a school where most of the students are reluctantly attending. I do not like to engage in coercive education but I am expected of course to give tests and all related accoutrements associated with teaching.