Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Monday, November 10, 2025

putting reality in learning.

We all love fiction and making stuff up and take some pride in our creativity, but enough is more than enough when it comes to learning. Kids know the difference between things that are made up for the amusement or to control them, and reality based education may not be as popular, but adheres more closely to truth, and offers efficiency because it leads to kids being able to do real things.

I was alerted this week to an article in Mortise & Tenon by Edward Bouvier that relies on my published materials.  ‘A communal legacy; Handcraft as part of a holistic education’ lists an editorial I wrote for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette  in 2022 as part of its source material. It is nice that the message continues to get out.

Saturday, November 08, 2025

There can be little more lovely than that which nature provides. The trees shown are elm, dogwood and cedar, with dogwood providing the reds at center.

Make, fix and create...

Friday, November 07, 2025

Awakening passion in teaching

In order for teachers to awaken our children to their great potential as learners, we must provide for the awakening of passions in our teachers as well. That requires a change in the structure of schools, allowing flexibility, allowing creativity and experimentation. It requires allowing teachers to move beyond the set curriculum to explore areas of awakened interest and passion. It requires hiring teachers with the expectation that they will give their best, and then establishing a framework of trust that allows them to deliver.

Make, fix and create...

Wednesday, November 05, 2025

Rotary dial

My niece and nephew sent me a photo of toys that I had made for them at a much earlier time. Remember when we thought rotary dial phones would be with us for the ages?

Tuesday, November 04, 2025

respect for all labor

Instilling a respect for all labor. From Otto Salomon

"Words alone will not inspire this respect; hence we conclude that the best way to instill into children a true and proper respect for rough, honest, bodily labor is 1st. By introducing such work into schools of all grades, in order that all classes of the community may engage in it.
and 2nd. By the teachers taking both pleasure and pride in doing it themselves, as well as delight in teaching it intelligently to others. For what the teachers appreciate, the children usually appreciate."
I wish that the billionaires of today had received such educations. Perhaps it will come again.