tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58034652012-01-04T09:15:25.057Zopionated since 1964Mikenoreply@blogger.comBlogger561100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1070921084832048522003-12-08T22:04:00.000Z2003-12-08T22:05:28.716Z

Gone here Follow me.......

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1070878852365438292003-12-08T10:20:00.000Z2003-12-08T12:00:16.780Z

Hey look, in depth research into how teachers, parents and students use the internet for learning . "The project set out to identify how educational websites are used in the home, using case studies of 8 families. Children and parents were interviewed separately and then together; and children were also observed and videotaped using specific sites. While some parents were persuaded of the

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1070869974181219872003-12-08T07:52:00.000Z2003-12-08T07:59:08.140Z

The Palm Beach Post highlights the recent Florida Virtual Schools fiasco. "Florida's 'virtual school' pilot program has crashed, and the Legislature should not renew it. Tweaks won't fix the problems, which have included companies trading on political influence, lobbyists who misrepresented potential savings and an education commissioner who ignored the law. Despite all those failings, Rep. Joe

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1070800688767924022003-12-07T12:38:00.000Z2003-12-07T12:38:50.966Z

Went out for a Chinese meal last night "en famille". As we were leaving the chap at the table next to us called me back. "I would just like to say that sitting at a table next to your boys tonight has been an absolute pleasure. You must be very proud of having two such bright and articulate children." Gush, gush, gush etc. etc. But surely how can children be bright and articulate if they don't

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1070724765416854392003-12-06T15:32:00.000Z2003-12-06T15:33:26.686Z

Clive Soley MP has a blog. Now I have to admit that I have never heard of him before but I am impressed that he has put himself out there. He is 'New' Labour so I am sure I will disagree with almost everything he writes but at least he is writing something. A question though Clive: "Does everything have to be vetted by the party machine first?"

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1070723490346171502003-12-06T15:11:00.000Z2003-12-06T15:12:11.890Z

Once you realise not to let Windows to do anything automatically it is a cinch!

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1070722858886703182003-12-06T15:00:00.000Z2003-12-06T15:11:02.233Z

Kim links to a news item that shows another reason to own a gun. "It took an hour and 10 minutes for a sheriff's deputy to reach the farm where a man had called 911, pleading for help after three pit bulls attacked and killed his partner, authorities said Wednesday." Of course if this guy had been Daryl below, he would have blown the dogs away, saved his partner and the day would be much happier

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1070718791726124662003-12-06T13:53:00.000Z2003-12-06T13:53:52.623Z

Trying to install one. All support greatly appreciated.

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1070623054409701972003-12-05T11:17:00.000Z2003-12-05T11:18:14.733Z

Just go and read this. Defend yourelf against the bully and an even bigger one will put you down.

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1070618214120761722003-12-05T09:56:00.000Z2003-12-05T09:57:34.653Z

I have just done a bit of a google on "unschool blogs" and "autonomous education blogs" thinking that I would find lots of people that I would have things in common with. Surprisingly (or not) I have found a lot of people that I don't agree with. When I have a little more time I will post up some examples. Just to stir the pot a bit! I think this harks back to one of previous posts about there

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1070613519682057512003-12-05T08:38:00.000Z2003-12-05T08:40:24.403Z

Daryl at Homeschool & Other Education Stuff has become another American who has made use of his freedom to buy a firearm to protect himself and his family from bad guys... How on earth he is ever going to get to sleep with that thing under his pillow God only knows! Kim will be very proud.

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1070533547190418692003-12-04T10:25:00.000Z2003-12-04T10:29:06.513Z

Asia Carrera is a porn star (Boo! Hiss! I hear you cry) and she is a very intelligent one. As her bio shows though, pushy parents weren't good for her: OK, we all know I was an academically gifted little girl. What I don't publicize, is that I was not an especially motivated one. I was an overachiever only through a)genetic luck, and b)incredible pressure from my parents. My parents wanted me

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1070525741995453452003-12-04T08:15:00.000Z2003-12-04T08:16:21.233Z

A new blog to titter at. It has rude words and a devil may care attitude so you may want to think twice before clicking the link. EAT IT: The Food Commission, the bossy charity which misleadingly sounds like a government body, is proud that it "takes no subsidy from the government". But it does receive research grants from "local, national or international public-sector bodies (e.g. trading

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1070524225541289622003-12-04T07:50:00.000Z2003-12-04T07:56:36.780Z

Oh yes. Don't you just love it when you find out something new and really important. Rebecca DeMornay went to Summerhill! Ding dong!

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1070465501817823582003-12-03T15:31:00.000Z2003-12-03T15:34:14.530Z

Oh looky here then Fraser Institute : "During the past few decades, more than 25 states in the United States passed laws allowing responsible citizens to carry concealed handguns. In 2003, there are 35 states where citizens can get such a permit. The upshot is that violent crime rates, and homicide rates in particular, have been falling in the United States. The drop in the American crime

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1070464669356492222003-12-03T15:17:00.000Z2003-12-03T15:18:27.936Z

At another place we are having a debate about home ed. meetings. My personal opinion is that you arrange a meeting, invite people to come and if they do then great. If they don't then that is cool too. It seems every six months or so we have a big discussion locally about different meetings and everybody starts beating around the bush because they are to scared to upset the apple cart. Well

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1070464109211600622003-12-03T15:08:00.000Z2003-12-03T15:09:07.873Z

"If it is important, you'll learn it."

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1070414646120465872003-12-03T01:24:00.000Z2003-12-03T01:24:44.076Z

Right then world I am going to do this thing. I have important things to say. Other people need to read them...... Night.

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1065429792572956342003-10-06T09:43:00.000+01:002003-10-06T09:43:12.106+01:00

A father who kidnapped' his own daughter has been remanded in custody prior to trial. Former pilot Simon Clayton, 41, disappeared with four-year-old Estelle, known as Esti, from his home in April this year. The Hay-on-Wye bookseller was days away from a custody showdown with his former wife Aneta, 29, who lives in nearby Brecon. The guy did something stupid. However, having been in a similar

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1064402338260772782003-09-24T12:18:00.000+01:002003-09-24T12:20:14.790+01:00

Bad guys still got guns. Police have begun an investigation after several shots were fired between two cars in Birmingham. A group of men in a stolen Toyota Lexus opened fire on a Volkswagen Golf in Winson Green on Monday afternoon, although no-one was hurt. The Lexus was later found abandoned in Smethwick. A police spokeswoman said they were speaking to the men who were in the Volkswagen

Mikenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1064391019534209492003-09-24T09:10:00.000+01:002003-09-24T09:19:31.680+01:00

I was searching around for an excuse to post up a glamourous woman pic this morning when Carol Vorderman came to my rescue. She appeared on GMTV congratulating Microsoft for closing down all it's unmoderated chatrooms in line with recommendations from a government thinktank that she is a member of. Now, I like our Carol but she is completely wrong on this one. This is like closing down the M4 (

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1064384417551060792003-09-24T07:20:00.000+01:002003-09-24T07:21:33.143+01:00

Want to go and see where we spend many a sunny day? Well now you can. Eldest keeps free climbing that little castle whilst I stand there with my heart in my throat.

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1064353930275896542003-09-23T22:52:00.000+01:002003-09-23T22:54:54.006+01:00

Now I know James Lileks is a highly respected blogger but did he really write this? Gnat was a pill today, but that's okay. She's ill. Small cold. The medicine makes her space out, and when it wears off she's just Miss Peevy 2003. Everything was a battle tonight: sitting in the chair, eating the corn, sampling the beans, saying "may I be excused" before she dismounts from her chair, getting

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1064351314450437242003-09-23T22:08:00.000+01:002003-09-23T22:08:34.480+01:00

When the next door neighbour's kids tell their mum thay want to be home educated too. Watching the parents squirm....Priceless!

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1064349055246681022003-09-23T21:30:00.000+01:002003-09-23T21:40:54.300+01:00

According to Tammy, Miss North Dakota was home educated, and who am I to argue with her. There was a great picture of Miss Schelkoph in her swimsuit but it was copyrighted so I can't really post it here - shame! She didn't win Miss America but that doesn't really matter. Does it? She's a pretty girl, she'll do alright. (Just joshing girls!)

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1064345992962045612003-09-23T20:39:00.000+01:002003-09-23T20:40:50.210+01:00

The evil demon of education Chris Woodhead seems to have undergone something of an epiphany. He actually recomends home education to two readers of last Sunday's Times. WOW! Sadly, you find yourselves in the position of many parents. You have no alternative — other than to educate your children at home.

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1064343211671928202003-09-23T19:53:00.000+01:002003-09-23T19:53:31.823+01:00

I was just meandering across the web looking for sites to link to with a home education bent and was amazed at all the new blogs that have sprung up since I last blogged. I was just thinking about how I would be able to keep my blog roll manageable when I realised that I wouldn't be linking to any of the ones I found. The reason for this is that I have very little in common with any of them. I

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1064340924487079572003-09-23T19:15:00.000+01:002003-09-23T19:15:24.386+01:00

Father held at gunpoint whilst wife and two children are upstairs. I am still waiting to report on the case of the citizen under attack who kills the assailants using the legally held gun in his own home. Oh no, silly me this is the UK where every armed gang knows that they can break into any house ad infinitum knowing full well that the occupants will be defenceless and the police will never

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1064339950358334622003-09-23T18:59:00.000+01:002003-09-23T19:01:02.206+01:00

I have just added a link to this site, at the very polite request of it's owner. Today's blog has comments regarding "appropriate play": Getting ready to launch into a discussion about why "killing" play is unacceptable I got thrown a curve that I was completely surprised by (I was expecting another fast ball) but in the bible people kill one another. I know this is not an unusual connection for

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1064337320983858082003-09-23T18:15:00.000+01:002003-09-23T18:15:20.883+01:00

An old mucker of mine rang me today and he is always slightly quizzical about this autonomous learning thing. During our conversation I mentioned that the kids were learning from life. "Oh that's OK then" he replied. "What do you mean" said I. "Well there aren't many people who have had a more 'interesting' life than you. So you are probably going to be teaching them more than anyone else

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1064336593572384352003-09-23T18:03:00.000+01:002003-09-23T18:03:13.676+01:00

When you want to start a blog with any relevence to home education you encounter one huge problem, Daryl Cobranchi. Daryl's site "Home School and Other Education Stuff" is just so full of links and information that any mere mortal (Like myself) just cannot compete. It is a daily "must read" for anybody who has any interest in this movement of ours. So I am not even going to attempt to convince

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1064333085660167792003-09-23T17:04:00.000+01:002003-09-23T17:49:23.653+01:00

One of the most common arguments from the pro surveillance lobby is "If you are a law abiding person you have nothing to fear". In this article Natalie Solent debunks this idea very simply, by giving examples of law abiding citizens who most definitely would have something to fear. You could be one of them!

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1064259459050673342003-09-22T20:37:00.000+01:002003-09-22T20:39:41.960+01:00

This 63 year old woman bravely gave evidence against this knife wielding thug who cut her when robbing a post office. The thug got 12 1/2 years which is only about a quarter of a fair sentence. I admire your courage Mrs. Wilson!

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1064231525221532442003-09-22T12:52:00.000+01:002003-09-22T12:52:04.626+01:00

Now that I am blogging again I think I should be making more effort to get in touch with other housedads online. This is as good a place to start as any.

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1064228399783709752003-09-22T11:59:00.000+01:002003-09-22T12:00:58.240+01:00

Yesterday I put a link to this essay on the Education Otherwise mailing list. It is a great story of one family's journey from mainstream education through 'home schooling' and on to unschooling / autonomous education. It is both touching and inspiring to anyone who has any interest in home education. I received my next digest version of the mailing list this morning expecting to see lots of

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1064179329580409262003-09-21T22:22:00.000+01:002003-09-21T22:22:09.526+01:00

Just sat down to watch the telly tonight and almost had a heart attack. Channel 4 broadcast a programme where the presenter travelled to various areas of the world extolling the virtues of globalisation. That presenter was Johan Norburg. What a fantastic breathe of fresh air! This guy will go far. I am going to read him. Well done Channel 4.

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1064094820509581152003-09-20T22:53:00.000+01:002003-09-20T22:53:40.720+01:00

Now this is an interesting one as I am sure we are going to start seeing alot more of this kind of thing. McClelland's ethnic background includes American Indian, Hispanic, Dutch, German, Italian and Irish. She says she and her friends feel slighted by other clubs at Freedom High School in Oakley, such as the Black Student Union and the Asian Club. More interestingly NBC are running a poll on

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1064093987572614222003-09-20T22:39:00.000+01:002003-09-20T22:39:47.326+01:00

Went to the new Bullring last week and was amazed at the new Selfridges store. I just love the "Smartie Castle" as my youngest calls it but it's merits or otherwise seem to have divided opinion locally. The way it towers over the old St. Martin's Church is just magnificent. Temples to the new religion and all that....

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1064011064387646972003-09-19T23:37:00.000+01:002003-09-19T23:37:44.023+01:00

This man deserves every single television award ever conceived. He won't ever receive them though. If you recognise him you will know what I mean and if you don't it is probably better that way.

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1064006874767556872003-09-19T22:27:00.000+01:002003-09-19T22:28:41.730+01:00

This is a message to all home educators who struggle with doubt (Me included!). DON'T

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1064006583015480592003-09-19T22:23:00.000+01:002003-09-19T22:24:13.470+01:00

It isn't rocketscience. Teaching primary school children to pass tests is damaging their enthusiasm for science, researchers say. And they say some science lessons are too hard even for the non-specialist teachers, let alone the young children. The comments are made in a study for the Futurelab at the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts. Its report argues for a whole new

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1064006079344120082003-09-19T22:14:00.000+01:002003-09-19T22:14:39.306+01:00

This cropped up on the Education Otherwise mailing list Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer is at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by it slef but the wrod as a

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1063994980025725312003-09-19T19:09:00.000+01:002003-09-19T19:11:57.573+01:00

When I read stories such as this I get really sad. A Tonbridge toddler has become one of the youngest children in the country to be excluded from school because of his outrageous behaviour. Four-year-old Paul Holmewood was thrown out of Cage Green Primary School four days after term started for being aggressive to other children and swearing at and threatening teachers. It is not the school

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1063907820009931472003-09-18T18:57:00.000+01:002003-09-18T18:56:59.346+01:00

Today we went for a museum trip. As this is term time there were lots of schoolchildren there. It was such a shame to see how a great learning opportunity was taken away from them by officious teachers, the need to stand in orderly queues and the lack of a sense of fun. I guarantee that my kids learned at least double that of any of the uniformed prisoners and they did it whilst wandering around

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1063873094660209862003-09-18T09:18:00.000+01:002003-09-18T09:22:20.210+01:00

I have linked to this curious story purely so that I can post up this picture. It is my blog and I can do what I like! Why would anyone want to shoot down her door. More to the point shouldn't all famous UK residents be allowed to own a gun for their own protection? Come to think of it why can't we all? More pics. here by the way.

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1063840585630580332003-09-18T00:16:00.000+01:002003-09-18T00:18:12.773+01:00

A person who is subject to somnambulism; one who walks in his sleep; a sleepwalker; a noctambulist. I just remembered this. I was really impressed when the eldest (8)called his little brother a somnambulist this evening. "Where did you learn that son" "Dexter's laboratory on Cartoon Network dad." Doh!!

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1063839804850164442003-09-18T00:03:00.000+01:002003-09-18T00:03:24.956+01:00

..but I am not the only one: Tammy's Homeschooling Blog: "Ack! But we don't wear school uniforms or have strict standards for clothing. We wear whatever. I've got a t-shirt and shorts on. My daughter is wearing lounge pants, a t-shirt, with a bulky sweater over that. My son is wearing denim shorts, a t-shirt, and a sweatshirt. None of us have shoes on. We are not fashion plates. We don't get

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1063837747996849752003-09-17T23:29:00.000+01:002003-09-17T23:43:38.410+01:00

Right listen up you lot. This is what you confront your children with when they go to school. It is not an isolated case as it goes on to varying degrees in every school across the country. The bully may be another pupil, a teacher or just a member of staff but if your child has any 'difference' or refuses to 'fit in' you can be sure that they will come across a bully at some stage. Knowing that

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1063821348159141452003-09-17T18:55:00.000+01:002003-09-17T18:55:47.500+01:00

Today I officially became a student. I will now be able to get discounts everywhere, build up my alcohol tolerance levels and run up loads of debt (And blame it all on the government!) Yeah baby, yeah!! I had to pay for my course though as I am not an asylum seeker, drunk or recovering from mental illness etc etc...

Mikenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1063821101402871312003-09-17T18:51:00.000+01:002003-09-17T18:51:40.796+01:00

Alice Bachini: "Don't bother getting stuck in school-run traffic jams." Alice spots an obvious advantage to home education! It is amazing how much news becomes redundant when your kids don't go to school.

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1063753738246165712003-09-17T00:08:00.000+01:002003-09-17T00:08:58.420+01:00

We in the UK put up with many disadvantages compared to our American cousins but it is said many times that the one great institution we have over here that they don't have there is the NHS. Well the ever ebullient Kim Du Toit has something to say about this. (The story is almost unbelievable by the way.)

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1063720624726765682003-09-16T14:57:00.000+01:002003-09-16T14:57:05.013+01:00

I am so happy to have got this new template up and running that I am feeling too good to rant. Bloody typical! Anyway, I am going out into the big wide world now so I am sure that by the time I come back someone will have upset me enough to get the old juices flowing.

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1063715250494238222003-09-16T13:27:00.000+01:002003-09-16T13:27:30.420+01:00

Nearly finished tweaking the template.

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1063527194786491992003-09-14T09:13:00.000+01:002003-09-14T09:17:12.180+01:00

Staff and pupils at a Dundee school have expressed their shock at the suicide of a 15-year-old girl who killed herself after reportedly being bullied. How many more times does this have to happen before we learn?

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1063375315444858042003-09-12T15:01:00.000+01:002003-09-12T15:01:55.380+01:00

This is the main Blogger editing screen. From here, you can create new posts, find and edit old posts, and publish your blog. To begin, just click and start typing in the big white box in the top of the page. When you're done with your post (or just want to save what you have so far), hit the Post button in the upper right, beneath the tabs. This will save it to your account. When you are ready

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803465.post-1063372758357130022003-09-12T14:19:00.000+01:002003-09-12T14:19:18.376+01:00

This is a test

Mikenoreply@blogger.com0