good time ....for outlanders

 Yep. We gave thousands of millions away in "AID" to foreign lands. Enough to give every American a few million.

Think about that as you pay the bills.

Education //Science

 Education //Science

Yep I was a science teacher for a few years.

Scientific method

See something -- observe

Try to find the reason ---hypothesis

State what you think is the reason and why --Theory

Fact prove the theory by repeatable experiments.--Experiment

I see ice on the ground in the winter but not the summer.

It is cold in the winter...I think Ice may be created by cold.

I place a cup a water in the Ice box after recording the temp.

it freezes...

So as it may be the cup. ( eliminate variables)

I next place a glass of water in the same icebox at the same temperature... it freezes.

So I have a proven fact and one that can be replicated by others.

This IS science.

Science is based on knowledge and method not feeling and hope and never fear

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Education 5

 Education 5

I was for my sins an English teacher for two years back in the early 90's. But I was saved when the 8th grade teacher wanted to trade Constitution/History for English..She was an English major in School not an History type.

Anyway English is NOT easy to teach or learn. The Teacher (as Mrs Ryan did, and you were lucky to have her) must read and correct ALL written work. If you think it is a pia rewriting YOUR essay, TRY correcting 30 or 40 of them again again till the kids all get it right!!!!!

Learn the language and learn WHAT words mean NOT what you or the pols or media want you to FEEL they mean.

Your ideas are no good if you cannot communicate them and it is your duty to do it clearly and understandably.

if you dont know what the word means....look it up

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Education 4 Reading

 Education 4

Reading

There were two ways to learn to read.

Both have their merits; Flash cards and phonics.

I learned via flash cards so I can read very very fast but have a problem sounding out new words. My lady wife learned via phonics she has no problem with sounding out new words but it slower to read. if you can learn both.

Get a dictionary and look up the exact meaning of words.

My Prof Uncle, used to keep a piece of paper in his books to write down new words to look up. A fine habit and one I recommend.

If, as you read, you start to fail to comprehend, and we all do.

Go back to the LAST place you understood and start again.

That usually works.

Unless you are taking a timed test, never be frightened to take your time as you read and make very sure you understand.

NOTE:

Understanding does not mean agreement. I read a LOT I dont agree with. But it does mean that you can understand WHAT you read.

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MATH AS A LANGUAGE

 Education part 4

MATH AS A LANGUAGE

Math is very hard and only "smart" people can learn it.

If you are talking theoretical physics maybe.

But NOT the math you must pass in school.

Treat math like a language.

Go to the back of the book and learn the definitions and formulas Try mastering 5 or if need be 2 per day.

Divide all problems into steps and go from what you know to what you dont. Above all, ask if you dont know. You are NOT the only one in that math class who does not know. Afterall if the other students knew it they would NOT be in the class.

There are people who are very good in Math. Prof.Dr Spencer, a lady who used to tutor my kids. Comes to mind. She not only knew how to find an answer but WHY it was the answer She was well ahead of me.

But YOU dont have to be a Dr. Spencer to pass.

Learn the definitions and what the formulas mean and You will pass.

In short treat learning math like learning a language

Education extra

Unless you have a trust fund, dont take out a huge loan to take a trust fund major.

I had a friend, a very smart lady who loved archaeology; but she and her family were NOT connected nor rich.

She was not, shall we say, doing well and she is very very smart.

Lucky for her. a friend showed her how to do hair. She makes a good living. Ladies pay her very very well to do their hair.

So think. Take a practical degree

Education part 2

 Education part 2

In education (and politics which a free voter must understand) It is a common practice to quote or perhaps misquote beloved figures from history. This cuts through the logic part of the mind and appeals to hero worship. "Lincoln believed in diversity" "FDR was a racist who sent Japanese American to concentration camps" "JFK was going to end the war in Vietnam" Thus figures who we respect from our youth can be used to push any political view. Alas you will find this sort of thing in textbooks.( If the chair or who he or she appoint to review new textbooks is lazy or pushing a political view) This can happen in any school from grade school to college.

So what do do?

Hit the PRIMARY SOURCES.. the books or newspapers or both published at or as close to that time of that event that you can find. See what those people at the time believed . Yes . Their view may shock you and you might well disagree but you will THINK and learn as close to the truth as we can get.

Next; math as a language

Education.

 "Hey pal" Bob asked Grrr the mighty T Rex. "you mind if I borrow your page to write a Education page on"? "Was I not a class Dino for many years?  Go for it . old ape". replied Grrr"

Today I began a series on education.

A, How to learn.

If your teacher or Prof is a scholar or even a fair person with an interest in education he or she should welcome questions.

As the class session is timed and the classes change and so much must for the sake of the class be covered, there may not be time to answer all questions or the teacher or prof may not know the answer. (We dont know everything (shocking... ) but the teacher should look up your question and get back to you. Or have office hours or stay a hour after school. Yes colleagues that is a PIA ;but it is part of the job.

If your prof is a bit of an ass and plays my way or an F and it is too late to change, ( told ya to ask the other students BEFORE you took him or her or If he or she plays the came in late AFTER the cut off game) Give him or her back their own views and pass. BUT do your own reading and keep your own views.

Arguing with a scholar is respected by that Teacher or Prof. As long as you have N D F. Arguing with an Ass just gets you a C or F.

Tomorrow: PRIMARY SOURCES

(NDF is short for Names dates and facts)