[Vanity] Does this stuff belong in an 8th Grade Science Textbook? You tell me.

Spiff | 21/1/2005 | Spiff

[supercat]

But you haven't created or destroyed anything - just changed it, which is what I was taught. There is no something from nothing.

Prior to Einstein, it was believed that the following were two independent absolutes:

1. Matter can be neither created nor destroyed.
2. Energy can be neither created nor destroyed.

The conversion of matter into energy would thus have been thought impossible since it would destroy matter and create energy. Nowadays, there's a new rule, that says that the total amount of (matter+energy) is constant, but matter and energy can be converted into each other.

[mlc9852]

"Prior to Einstein, it was believed that the following were two independent absolutes:"

I am not THAT old!

[hellinahandcart]

Thanks for pinging me. Good job, Mr. and Mrs. Spiff.

[Aquinasfan]

The teacher then said that while he recognized the Principal in his chain of command, he did not recognize us.

Thanks for sharing your story. I'm not surprised by your experience, but then again, I live in Massachusetts where the children are the property of the state.

He said that he has had a hard time even staying at the school. That before last month they didn't even have textbooks. (They were using a computer-based curriculum with all textbook available only on the computers in the classrooms and all assignments submitted on the computers)

Remember when Algore wanted to get every child onto the "information superhighway"? Computers keep teaching materials out of the hands of parents. Additionally, many Leftists in the educational bureaucracy are seeking to gather personal information on students via the computer, i.e., religious beliefs, emotional problems, sexual habits, etc., and then to "correct" any perceived "problems" with customized, computerized psychotherapy.

[nicmarlo]

bttt

[nicmarlo]

My 8th grader is not allowed to bring her Science textbook home. The reason is that the Science teacher purchased the textbooks with his own money and doesn't want any to be lost or defaced. In fact, there's not enough books to go around so some students must double up on a textbook.

Uh....my daughter was told the same thing in her NY high school....I never liked that, either; it was "funny" though, that she could always bring her math books home.

[Aquinasfan]

My wife and I were all smiles.

My wife would have decked him 30 seconds into this conversation. Bless her heart.

[Aquinasfan]

Second, there's no such thing as content neutral education.

This myth HAS to go. Students absorb this idea from the methodology of gov't schooling, rather than learning it explicitly. The only fixed "truth" that I graduated with was that for each and every idea, there exists an equal and opposite idea.

[Tax-chick]

Fascinating! I appreciate the updates; it's all been very informative!

[DoctorMichael]

JMHO................................

Speaking as someone in Science (at the University level), kids should concentrate on the fundamentals (3R's) and NOT the stuff you're reciting. There's time enough later in life for them to make a rational decision on their own, in maybe a college course, once they've grasped the fundamentals. Not before.

Besides, what about Advanced Algebra and Pre-Calculus? What about basic Newtonian Physics? How about learning to write an intelligible sentence? Reading the Classics of Western Civilization and comprehending the knowledge of those great minds that came before us in Greece, Rome, the European Renaissance and Enlightenment. These contributed to our present success. There are so many other subjects to be learned that will enable kids to be prosperous without wasting their time.

I agree with your assessment that the book skews the conclusions towards the Left. I might add that I've always hated the so-called 'Field' of Ecology, and found it fertile ground for propagating this kind of nonsense.

[polymuser]

...is not allowed to bring her Science textbook home.

Sirens and flashing red lights!

[Paved Paradise]

You are right to be concerned. Now I know why the kids today have such wacky views; they're being indoctrinated; literally. Some of this is pantheism masquerading as science. It certainly has some scientific ideas meshed in and that's so it's palatable to the masses. Your children are very fortunate to have such intelligent parents.

My advice is to do one of two things depending on how much fight is in you: 1) Fight for what you know is right. Other children are being exposed to this drivel. You can be a crusader for this. The Darwinists keep hacking at us Christian folk for being non-scientific and our beliefs are far more scientific than this new age crud; OR (2) Just make sure your own children know it's bunk and forget about it. It won't be the last time they're exposed to garbage, posing as fact.

[Paved Paradise]

I love hearing these great homeschooling stories!

[nicmarlo]

I agree.

[chronic_loser]

You are disputing the First Law of Thermodynamics?

No, it is a very crude and inaccurate representation of the first law.

[cornelis]

Second, there's no such thing as content neutral education. This myth HAS to go.

Let's get the word out.

[cornelis]

Not before

I started questioning things in kindergarten.

[cornelis]

Certain anthropology professors have a habit of singing the high praises of the Bonobo, a very horny and lazy ape

LOL. They know no other life.

[polymuser]

How many are familiar with The Frankfurt School and their mid-1900's plan for public education and America?

[happyhomemaker]

I really admire you for standing up for your convictions but just a humble reminder that your precious little girl is at the center of this storm.