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KayBrewington's comments:
on Math Appeal
Something that I haven't seen mentioned in the discussion (that I am admittedly late to...) is the condition dyscalculia. The condition is often overlooked and under or misdiagnosed. Often sufferers as labeled as "just bad at math." Dyscalculics often mix up the operations of a math problems, have difficulty with sequence, keeping score in a game, telling time on an analog clock, and counting change. These symptoms can make math and numbers in general very challenging and frustrating. Without assistance people, especially children will shy away from numbers.
I didn't realize that what I was struggling with had a name! Educators need this information.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyscalculia
http://www.dozenlilacs.com/A%20Dozen%20Lilacs%20In%20A%20Shoebox/Dyscalculia.html
Also, my children were educated in a type of home-schooling referred to as "unschooling". This approach to education has no mandatory curriculum, and we approach learning as a way of life and a natural by product of living. My children never had a forced mathmatics lesson, but were instead encouraged to see math as a part of the world. Games, recipes, shopping, art, and etc were all math, and my kids were not faced with the boring dry way math is often taught. The approach can make all the difference!
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on A Different Spin on Thanksgiving
As a Pagan, the"Thanksgiving" holiday typically observed in September on the Fall equinox. (Known as Mabon, or in years past "Harvest Home".) Many of the same foods and gatherings are typical.
Like many other posters, I am also a bit uncomfortable about the true history of Thanksgiving. I think today we can celebrate good food and family without ignoring the tragedies that this holiday is actually built on....
Traditionally we had to have "Cheese, Peas, and onion salad". It came from my Dad's side of the family and I have no idea why. I do know it's not really Turkey day without it. From my mom's side it was always tradition to have homemade macaroni and cheese. The dish probably weighed 30 lbs, and you probably gained that much after eating it! My boyfriend's family makes raisin creme pie, and I had never heard of that before meeting him. :)
posted 2 years, 6 months ago
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on Bullying in School
It absolutely starts with the family and home! No question. It's correct that we all have something of a survival instinct within us, but cruelty is not something babies are born with. Hatred isn't preprogrammed. It is learned from what is heard, given, watched, absorbed, and instilled either directly or indirectly.
Parents and others in a child's life absolutely have the power to model compassion and empathy. The power of example and open and honest discussion is incredible. My own children were unschooled and the differences I have seen between them and other non-schooled kids versus schooled kids is dramatic. We have all the tools. We just aren't using them! I think people want a quick fix for this issue, and that's just not realistic. Bullying is a symptom of much larger things. We have to change how we parent and educate, forever, in order to bring change.
Kristina Brewington
posted 2 years, 7 months ago
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on Bullying in School
So true! It's vital that parents and educators take these things very seriously.
Another important thing is that bullying has such far reaching consequences. It doesn't only touch one victim for that one confrontation, it spreads like a vine or ripples in a pond. It teaches lessons that are very detrimental. So when behavior is overlooked as "boys will be boys" it teaches boys that they can behave in a hurtful or inappropriate way because they are male. It teaches girls what? That they are held to some different standard? That men can behave badly because our society expects them to? What will that bring to teenage and adult relationships and future parenting? The (scary) possibilities are endless.
Kristina Brewington
posted 2 years, 7 months ago
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on Bullying in School
The mention of the role of schools in bullying is dead on. It's often a Lord of the Flies situation in some schools, and all it takes is for the behavior to be ignored... then it flourishes. As an unschooling family we have seen the difference between schooled kids and non-schooled kids time and time again. There is far less bullying, hurtful teasing, aggression, and competition.
Bullying isn't just about creating fear in a victim. It all starts with the fear and lack of self confidence in the bully personally. The need to control, frighten, manipulate, and dominate someone else starts with fear.
If we want to help end bullying we need to rethink the way we raise children. We need to change the way we talk to and discipline/guide kids. A child is first shaped by his family at home. What are they seeing?
posted 2 years, 7 months ago
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on Equal Protection for Sexual Minorities?
The woman guest speaker (the Spokeswoman for the Beaverton School District?) was woefully ignorant in her responses and very clearly afraid of this issue. If I was her superior I'd be pretty disappointed in her interview this morning. Did she ever directly answer any questions? It sure didn't sound like it from our end.
Also, the Beaverton School District really took the coward's way out by refusing to appear on the show or make a statement.
Mr. Stambaugh had a right to answer a question he was asked. Could he have answered it differently? Sure. Was his response inappropriate? Different people will have endless answers to that I'm sure. It doesn't matter though. What really matters is this: Was his response illegal or grounds for LEGAL dismissal? The answer is clearly no.
The mother of the boy in Mr. Stambaugh's class asked about all of the other parents' voices and perspectives. How can they be heard? They can be heard by making it so. Get together, get organized, and talk to the people that you should. Promptly.
Wishing Mr. Stambaugh the best of luck.
Kristina Brewington
Albany, Oregon
posted 2 years, 7 months ago
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on How Religion and Politics Intersect
As a practicing Pagan I was very pleased to see my religion represented on the show today. (And it an eloquent, educated way to boot!) I couldn't have agreed more with Ann's comments. :)
Kristina Brewington, Albany Oregon
posted 2 years, 7 months ago
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on Religious Literacy
What a great topic!
I grew up in the Methodist church, but it was my mother's faith and not really my own. I kept some really lovely teachings from that denomination, but eventually went on my own journey to find out what I really believe. I found my spiritual homes in Buddhism and Pagan practice. It is very possible to be of more than one religious tradition.
Recitation without understanding is not valuable in my opinion. Recitation WITH relevance and understanding can be a beautiful and life saving thing. Study of a tradition without practice is just that... study.
:) Kristina Brewington
posted 2 years, 7 months ago
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on The Forefront of Cardiology
This is a very timely topic for me. I have an autoimmune disorder, and about 10 years ago they found a murmur. They did an echo and found a slight aortic valve leak (insufficiency). I had no symptoms at the time. Today I am very symptomatic, and my recent echo found moderate leakage and another "abnormality". I am waiting to see a cardiologist to determine and discuss having it replaced. I am only 34 years old. Are replacements common on this age group?
posted 2 years, 8 months ago
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