Nov. 24, 2009 - BEARPAW Shoe Giveaway!
The Dirty Shirt is giving away a pair of BEARPAW shoes, and let me tell you that you don't want to miss out because these look like awesome shoes. The ones I'm hoping to win are the brown Daffodils.
So hurry over to The Dirty Shirt to enter for a chance to win your own pair of BEARPAW shoes!
Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
Nov. 24, 2009 - NEA Puts Power Ahead of Kids
It's really no surprise to anyone ever that the NEA was more interested in protecting its power than educating children. What is surprising is that they actually feel confident enough in their power to admit it. Here's the NEA's General Counsel admitting as much in his retirement speech this past summer.
"Despite what some among us would like to believe it is not because of our creative ideas. It is not because of the merit of our positions. It is not because we care about children and it is not because we have a vision of a great public school for every child. NEA and its affiliates are effective advocates because we have power....
This is not to say that the concern of NEA and its affiliates with closing achievement gaps, reducing dropout rates, improving teacher quality and the like are unimportant or inappropriate. To the contrary. These are the goals that guide the work we do. But they need not and must not be achieved at the expense of due process, employee rights and collective bargaining. That simply is too high a price to pay.
(View YouTube video on this subject here.)
If you're a parent with children in the public schools you can voice your objections here. But the best way to object is by removing your children from their schools. Without your children they have no real power.
In a related story, future teachers in Minnesota are being "reducated" and become "culturally competent"
Hat Tip: Michelle Malkin in order to obtain a teacher certificate.
-Spunky
Cross-posted, with permission, from SpunkyHomeSchool
Nov. 23, 2009 - Pass it on!
I pass this on to:
1. swordwieldingmaiden
2. nachoaveragegirl
3. iheartministry
4. NotJustAGirl
5. MeganEmma
6. Created4Christ
7. countrygirl12
8. mariwichterself
9. bluebird99
10. farmgirls
11. Rachsters
12. Dawn90
13. MillieGrace
14. yagirl96
15. LiveLoveLaugh
16. Jo
17. maidenofvirtue
God Bless,
November 23, 2009 - I ♥ Faces: Sun Flare
When I saw the theme for this week's I <3 Faces challenge,: “Sun Flare”, this picture just popped into my head! :) I love the Sun Flare coming down on her. Isn't Hannah such a pretty girly? I sure love that Dahling!
©AmandaDixon2009
Nov. 23, 2009 - Young Maiden's Daybook!
Today… November 23, 2009 (almost Thanksgiving!)
Outside my window… It's cold and foggy
I am thinking… I don't feel really well(I have a cold)and I wonder if my sister posted anything!
I am thankful for… my niece (it's her birthday!)
I am wearing… practice stuff, of course, w/ a hoodie and sweats over it.
I am reading… Rebecca's Return by Jerry Eicher (I finished the first book! Finally!)
I am creating… a video, a headband to match my skirt that my mom made, and something for Thanksgiving!
One of my favorite things… German Chocolate Cake!
For education this week… Still learning grooming, bathing, and manicuring animals
A keeper at home skill I am using/learning … To be tidy and clean (My room is a pig sty right now and I can't stand it)
A spiritual lesson I’m learning… Let my light shine so people can see Jesus in me!
A godly character trait I plan to work on… patience...still....it'll take awhile!
Scripture I am memorizing… None at the moment!
I am praying for… My family and friends, hoping that they have a nice Thanksgiving!
For the rest of the week… I'll have games and Thanksgiving!
A picture I’d like to share…
This is a photo I took in my backyard!
God Bless,
Nov. 23, 2009 - Multitude Monday ~ 11-20
Here is this week's installment of my contribution to The Gratitude Community. I'm not actually an official part of it, but you can be if you like! Go check it out!
I am Thankful for...
11. Books
12. Blankets
13. Hot tea
14. Homemade bread
15. My first customer at my Etsy shop.
16. Pumpkins
17. Forgiveness
18. My best friend in the whole, wide world, Bluejane.
19. Knitting
20. New friends What are you Thankful for? Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
Nov. 23, 2009 - War Memorial Visit ~ 2 July
We were reminded of this scene recently as it was Remembrance Day on the 11th of November. However, I took this photo when we went to the War Memorial in July with one of the local homeschooling groups.
Seeing the honour roll, going into the tomb of the unknown soldier and hearing some of the stories of what the soldiers did in battle is a poignant reminder that our freedom has been bought at a great price, and also that war isn't all that glamourous.
Steve went with the older group and they mainly concentrated on the WWII galleries. The younger group was looking at Gallipoli, the ANZACs and WWI and as I stayed with them, I'll be writing more about that side of the trip. Even though I have a book on Gallipoli and we often talk about this campaign at the time of ANZAC Day, it was great to be at the Memorial and get a broader and deeper perspective of what this meant to the soldiers at the time.
The boys were amazed by this boat, taken directly from the beaches at ANZAC Cove and riddled with bullet holes from the Turks.
The model displaying the rugged and steep coastline and narrows of the Dardanelles showed the incredible disadvantage at which our troops fought.
The ration packs and woolen uniforms brought home other challenges faced by the men in the trenches. Other displays demonstrated the difficulties in other theatres of war. Having recently studied Belgium for the Geography Night held in late June, seeing images of the soldiers in Flanders was a natural integration in their learning.
I could talk about a lot more of the displays but there's just so much at the War Memorial and we did look at so many things! From scaling the heights in the Gallipoli campaign, to being stuck in the mud and filth of the trenches on the western front, to charging into the desert with the Light Horse, we then ended up looking at the skies overhead and the flying aces.
Peter Jackson, of Lord of the Rings fame, has put together an amazing, 8 minute long "dog fight". It's impressive, not just for the scope of the sequence but also because it spans a huge, curved screen, giving an incredible 3D effect. It opened in November last year and is played at regular intervals throughout the day. We were all transfixed watching this! It's a wonderful addition to the War Memorial and we'll go back and watch it again, I'm sure.
We have such a rich, interesting and memorable resource right at our fingertips here in Canberra. Maybe there's something similar where you live. It's great when History can come alive and be made meaningful.
Nov. 22, 2009 - Australian Science Festival - also in May...
What's unusual about this photo?
Those of you have have been to the ASF will know that this picture is not out of the ordinary... Daleks are common place in this arena. Andrew doesn't usually come with us to the Science Festival because we go during the week. This year, they decided at the last minute to hold it in May, rather than August, so we came on the Saturday to book into some of the things that interested us.
There was still some "fun" things in the main hall. Mark got to dress up at the fire brigade stall:
and NICTA had a great exhibit. The boys tested out their endurance and speed, the results being recorded by use of sensors.
Zac tried to build a sustainable environment on "Catchment Detox", drawing the others into the game.
and the boys got to see how cotton is taken from the plant and processed.
After a short lesson in areodynamics,
and some rocket building,
we went to a seminar on "CSI: Fact or Fiction?", learning about the work of forensic scientists. The boys also went to a session on The Square Kilometre Array.
Unfortunately, Andrew didn't get to the Science of Beer seminar and after a full day at the convention centre, we decided not to go out star gazing that night. They did have some light hearted fun at the end of the day though:
...all in the name of Science!!!
Nov. 22, 2009 - CSIRO Mini Beasts - May
Back in May, we went to the CSIRO for an excursion, looking at "mini beasts". In this category are some rather large insects and spiders! We asked Oma to come along...
and Mark, being the grown-up boy he is, joined in too. In this photo, he's making the sounds of a cricket. It was a "hands on" affair, and some, like Adam, got taken aback at some of the little creatures:
some things required closer examination....
some puzzles had to be solved...
and some things were just a lot of fun...
so, if you are not "squimish" in any way, and want to see some these creatures in action, a hands on workshop like this one, is a great way to learn more.
Nov. 22, 2009 - Amazing Race
Cracking up watching Amazing Race. They have to run up and downaisles checking 600 seats looking for a miniature instrument. Crazy!!!
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