Lot of doom and gloom talk here lately. So, what can be done to educate our young? Here's what's happening in our public school this year:

1. Phenology.
2. Bear den visits (collaring and cub measurements)
3. Amphibian study

This week we are also tapping trees and collecting maple sap and discussing adaptations using pelts collected locally by myself and our DNR. Contrary to popular belief, there are places left in this country that haven't turned young minds into liberal mush.

cool!!!

Great on ya!

I, too, try to spread that message (not all preach liberal mush) as often as possible...entirely too many people hear 'teacher' and they already have you pegged in their mind. Incorrectly.

Keep it up!

Awesome, Keep it up!

Awesome AKtrapper26! Glad to hear that you're doing what you can to help young minds grow in the right direction. We can preach or we can teach.

I am in the same boat. I give an unbiased education of current events and point out the biases when needed.

Nice. Unfortunately, schools have put so much into the curriculum to "keep up with the world" that they've had to get rid of a lot of valuable education.

Nice

Fantastic teaching. Way too many of our children don't go outside enough and experience nature firsthand. I also appreciate a "feel good" story about our education system.

It's true. The federal government sets requirements that states must meet. The state sets requirements (standards) for districts to meet. Teachers need to make sure these standards are covered in their classroom. The key is to embed these standards into activities that are engaging for students. Nothing better than outdoor activities to do this. I feel fortunate at our district that our administration doesn't micro manage and allows the teachers to create a lot of our curriculum.

Your my new hero. Need more of this.

What's the odds that if you turn them kids into wildlife management they will end up employed by the government like teachers? Teach them something that will make them productive private sector workers. Teach them how to swing a hammer and read a tape measure.

Same reason I talked my daughter into being a nurse and my son out of being a trooper.

Very true. The world needs all kinds. Kids need to be exposed to a bit of everything, including the outdoors, to find what they're passionate about. A good worker is a good worker no matter what profession they decide to take up. We need people working for the government just as much as we need people working in private sectors.

Around here that is teaching liberal mush.

All good until the teachers can't keep their trap shut about politics and warp young minds.

Had to straighten out our preteen grandkids when they started talking politics. Asked where they heard of what they were saying, they said their teachers.

Agree Hippie. There shouldn't be any bias in public schools but unfortunately it's human nature. We need more conservatives getting into the education profession then.

Dirt, are you saying that government should completely cease to exist then? I'm not sure what you're implying when you say that nobody should be raised or taught to work for the government.

Pretty sure I didn't imply that. Conservatives believe in free market capitalism and less government. Less government will mean less government employees. My children were raised to not seek government employment. That's my morals, and that's what I want them to believe. I wouldn't want a teacher to tell them different.

I taught my kids (and my students) to think for themselves. Base your judgments on real data, not what your friends or others (including teachers) believe. STOP- Stop, Think, Observe, Plan. It works in survival situations and works in everyday life. My son joined the Navy without any input from his parents. My conservative bias probably came through to my students but I didn't preach.

Here's an example. It's sunny and looks nice but it's -17 out right now, winds 14, wind chill minus 40. Not really a good day for a snow machine ride without preparation.

Looking at some sketchy river ice with snow filled willows in between. STOP. "You know, in my younger days, I would have tried this." Reply: "In my younger days, I would have followed you."