Reasons to be cheerful!

[Essie Mae]

My precious little boy began kindergarten today. 


I got an email yesterday it said:

...your child has been selected based on academic achievement to receive instruction in K and 1st grade standards.

...He's so smart. 

Probably gets it from his dad. 

How very sensible. The Murrikin system always seems more flexible than ours in allowing children to be in the year group that most suits their abilities.

[Magdalena]

My precious little boy began kindergarten today. 


I got an email yesterday it said:

...your child has been selected based on academic achievement to receive instruction in K and 1st grade standards.

...He's so smart. 

Probably gets it from his dad. 

How very sensible. The Murrikin system always seems more flexible than ours in allowing children to be in the year group that most suits their abilities.

Well, combination classes are not the norm. The teachers assure the parents of 1st graders that their child will not be involved with any Kindergarten curriculum, and that they will receive full instruction with the expectations of mastering 1st grade common core standards. For kindergarteners, it does not mean that the child will move to 2nd grade after this school year.

The teachers see potential, and like Gloucester said, "Kids learn from day one..." Some faster than others, so why hold them back? On top of that, a lot of these kids are learning another language at home, at the same time, or know another language and are learning English. 

[Essie Mae]

My precious little boy began kindergarten today. 


I got an email yesterday it said:

...your child has been selected based on academic achievement to receive instruction in K and 1st grade standards.

...He's so smart. 

Probably gets it from his dad. 

How very sensible. The Murrikin system always seems more flexible than ours in allowing children to be in the year group that most suits their abilities.

Well, combination classes are not the norm. The teachers assure the parents of 1st graders that their child will not be involved with any Kindergarten curriculum, and that they will receive full instruction with the expectations of mastering 1st grade common core standards. For kindergarteners, it does not mean that the child will move to 2nd grade after this school year.

The teachers see potential, and like Gloucester said, "Kids learn from day one..." Some faster than others, so why hold them back? On top of that, a lot of these kids are learning another language at home, at the same time, or know another language and are learning English. 

Apparently very good for the brain to learn another language at such a young age. It can slow language acquisition a bit initially, but makes it easier to learn further languages later. Best wishes to your little boy.

[Magdalena]

Apparently very good for the brain to learn another language at such a young age. It can slow language acquisition a bit initially, but makes it easier to learn further languages later.

This is true.

Best wishes to your little boy.

Thank you, Essie Mae. 

[Dave]

I will admit to liking some of the Montessori techniques in education, though they were developed primarily for "specisl needs" children. Ideally every child has "special needs", a tailored education, but pragmatically this can only be achieved by "one-on-one" teaching. Gifted and able parents may achieve this with home efucation, but sometimes at some cost to socialisation. Also some parents may tend to "mould" the child to their ideal rather than going with the kid's inherrent talents and abilities.

"Windows of opportunity" seem important to me, go with the subject the child is focussed on for as long as he or she remains so focussed.

Blimey, haven't thought about this for decades now, must still be some functioning brain cells in there sonewhere! Or it is the glass of vino I am enjoying.

[Essie Mae]

I am doing voluntary work at the library: The Summer Reading Challenge, over the summer break and it's so lovely to be working with children again. They are so enthusiastic about the books they are reading.

A woman on the group walks I go on approached me about becoming a voluntary mentor to young people in care. I thought I'd be too old, but she said age doesn't matter; the youngsters are just happy to have the attention from someone who isn't 'official'. I'm not sure I believe her, but she's been doing it for eight years, so I'm seriously considering it.

[Guardian85]

I just got the paperwork back from the police approving my application to purchase a new hunting rifle.
Getting one I've been looking at for some time ( a Howa 1500 Lightning cal.308w for those in the know). Going to build it into a proper sniper system.
Just hoping we can get it sorted before the moose hunt kicks off in late September.

[Arturo]

I saw my cousins today. We hung out and played old video games.

[Asmodean]

I saw my cousins today. We hung out and played old video games.

Old like 1987, 1997 or 2007? 

[Icarus]

G85,  f'gods sake are you planning to sniper a moose?? Shooting a moose is like shooting a dairy cow. If you lived in the state of Maine in the U.S. you might get some jail time for abusing an animal of that benign breed. I'd think it a damned site more sporting to go for polar bears or other beast that can fight back.

In any case, I am pleased that you have gotten clearance to own a high quality firearm. That you had to get clearance to have such a piece is a testament to the good judgement of your country. Too bad that we do not have such a system here in the land of the free and the home of the brave gun nuts whose mental capacity is so frequently subject to question.

[Recusant]

Hmm, moose are known as capable of being rather ornery. I sure as hell wouldn't want to mess around with one. I'm not sure about Norway, but in Canada and Alaska, they're rather plentiful as well. In moose season, it's perfectly legal to hunt moose in Maine as long as you get a tag.

They attack more people annually than bears do, and they are especially aggressive when defending a calf.

[source]

Reports show that female moose are responsible for more deaths in Canada than any other animal including the grizzly! Moose have earned the title of most dangerous animal in Canada.

[source]

Also, if you're a good hunter, a bear has no more chance to defend itself than a deer or other game animal.

[Arturo]

I saw my cousins today. We hung out and played old video games.

Old like 1987, 1997 or 2007? 

Closer to 1997 but in the 2000s

[Guardian85]

G85,  f'gods sake are you planning to sniper a moose?? Shooting a moose is like shooting a dairy cow. If you lived in the state of Maine in the U.S. you might get some jail time for abusing an animal of that benign breed. I'd think it a damned site more sporting to go for polar bears or other beast that can fight back.

For one thing bears. wolves and polar bears are all red-listed in Norway. That is to say they are considered endangered. You only get to take one out if it is getting a little too close to the livestock.
Polar bears are also not native to the Norwegian mainland.
Also, moose are good eatin'.

As for moose being benign and harmless... 

(video beneath shows people and animals involved in accidents. You have been warned)

Sorry but you are not allowed to view spoiler contents.

Due to the vendor being unable to guarantee delivery time on the Howa rifle, and having the shit customer service not to tell me for a week, I have gone to another vendor. Have placed an order for a Remington 783 (.308w). Very similar weapon, and they guarantee speedy delivery.

[Recusant]

Ah, I was looking forward to your thoughts on the Howa. I've heard good things.

[Guardian85]

Ah, I was looking forward to your thoughts on the Howa. I've heard good things.

I had, too. Sadly the useless guys are the only ones who import them to Norway.