Or is it all of the above? Or part of the above and more? Or is it none of the above?

And what about schools? Presumption: children are sent to school to get an education. True or false? If true, what kind of marks do our schools get for the job they are doing? Which schools do the best job of educating their pupils, and why? Which schools do the worst, and why? What can educators do to improve their schools? What can parents do to help? What can others do to help?

What are your answers to the above questions? We will compile your responses to add to this page. E-mail to education@wishingroom.com (subject: Education) or mail to: EDUCATION, The Wishing Room, Inc., Box 58, Studley, VA 23162. Please indicate whether you are an educator, parent, pupil, etc.

SOME OF OUR THOUGHTS ON EDUCATION

I. Brain:

    A.  Brain cells need plain water in between meals (6-8 glasses per day).

    B.  Memory is based in Imagination (Brain Area #39)

    C.  Photographic memory can be taught.

    D.  Retrieval systems can be taught.

    E.  Right-Left Brain connections can be developed.

II. Learning:

    A.  Curiosity promotes learning (schools most often stifle in the name of conformity).

    B.  Many modes of learning exist, a single mode leaves many children in the dark.

    C.  Learning timetables vary widely between children and within each child.

    D.  Learning can be an "Ah Ha!" experience not a plodding experience.

    E.  Years of schooling can be made up in a few months with motivation.

III. Reading:

    A.  Children will learn on their own when they are ready with proper materials at hand.

    B.  Current methodogy produces slow readers (250 wpm with subvocalization).

    C.  Faster readers are more successful in school and generally thereafter.

IV. Handbooks:

    A.  Concise handbooks of basics should be developed for each subject.

        1.  Required skills grouped by levels, i.e. primary, intermediate, advanced.

        2.  These small books let pupils be self-grading to an extent.

        3.  Can be used as guides for self-study or home schooling.

    B.  They will be lighter to carry and thus can help prevent back problems.

V. Primary School:

    A.  Ungraded (K-3)

        1.  Proper materials for student motivated learning.

        2.  No pressure to read before ready.

        3.  May learn at own speed in own modes.

        4.  Learning is on a more concrete level at this stage.

    B.  Neighborhood

        1.  Young children should be closer to home.

        2.  Large schools are intimating to young children.

        3.  Many small one-teacher schools a possibility.

    C.  Parent Involvement

        1.  Should be strongly encouraged.

        2.  Parents should be allowed in classes at any time.

        3.  Parents should be used as volunteer teacher-assistants.

        4.  Parents may learn along with their children.

    D.  Home Schooling very appropriate at this level (should not be discouraged).

        1.  Morals more easily passed on.

        2.  Peer pressure less important, even in later years.

        3.  Students usually develop better self esteem.

        4.  Proper materials let children learn on own with minimum supervision.

        5.  Exceptions: if a parent is not interested or family is completely disfunctional.

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For more information or to comment, send e-mail to education@wishingroom.com