Your child's education: One size does NOT fit all

As someone who was pushed in the wrong educational direction (with all good intent), this is something I think all parents should watch.

In case your browser doesn't show the video it can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9LelXa3U_I

About

In this poignant, funny follow-up to his fabled 2006 talk, Sir Ken Robinson makes the case for a radical shift from standardized schools to personalized learning -- creating conditions where kids' natural talents can flourish.

Full Transcript

It's all in the technique

I never had that much interest in swimming. I mean, I liked diving under water and having that feeling of floating as if I was in space. I also LOVED body surfing. In fact, now that I think about it, body surfing is probably the activity I love doing the most (which begs the question, why haven't I done it for about 3 years?)

As usual, I digress. But anyway, swimming was not really my thing - despite my high school phys-ed teacher telling me that with my form I "should be going much faster." Well, Mr. High School Phys-Ed teacher, I may have gone faster had you delved deeper into my technique!

You see, I do go for the occasional swim at the local pool. I do my laps, and then get out and feel muscular for a few minutes, while my chest remains pumped up from all that arm flailing and gasping for air.

The problem is, that often in the very next lane is an older gent - usually, shall I say, somewhat more portly than myself - who nevertheless makes me eat his dust (or water vapour). Yes, I get burnt off by the old dude. Alternatively there is the lady, about my age, that also leaves me in her wake. Okay, usually, usually I can keep up for two or three laps before I have no choice but to stop before my body explodes. And of course, they just continue on ... lap ... after lap ... after lap.

Dad, you take too long

My 6 year old son asked me why it took me so long to write my stories.

You see, he had just finished writing his story. It took him about an hour. It's called Star Jammer and it's three chapters long. I thought I'd share it here.

In school they seem to teach kids to spell by the way the word sounds. So while he can read the proper words quite well, when he spells it often has no resemblance to the way the word is actually spelt. I suppose it's a bit like me being able to understand my parents when they speak Polish, but I can't really speak it myself.

Here are his chapters (see if you can make out the words):

Star Jammer: Chapter 1

Once upon a time there was a battle between Blue and Red. They fought to the end of the world. They sacrificed themselves.