Author Archives: Jeffrey

**John Taylor Gatto: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Institutionalised Schooling (1998)**

Some of the REAL reasons to get your kids out of the Public, Government controlled system. ~ Editor

John Taylor Gatto

Thank you so much for posting JTG’s speeches. Compulsory schooling totally destroyed the social fabric in my community. I always knew deep down that it was the primary reason for the falling out of so many relationships.

But family, friends, and therapists kept saying to “just get over it… that’s the way child development works.” It wasn’t until reading Gatto’s book ‘Dumbing US Down’ when I finally felt fully validated. I was able to objectively assess relatives and friends who were way too judgmental about school performance. ~ Catherine Harber

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Essay: ‘Self-Reliance’

This classic essay privileges the individual over the collective.

“Crossing the Pasture,” 1871–1872, by Winslow Homer. Amon Carter Museum of American Art. In his essay, Ralph Waldo Emerson praises dependence on oneself to get work done.

In 1841, American writer-philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) published “Self-Reliance,” placing the ingenuity of the individual above an unquestioning acquiescence to the collective. Continue reading →

**Minick: 4 Ways to Inoculate Your Children Against Marxism**

Do these things with love, and the torch of American liberty will never be extinguished.

In 2007, President George W. Bush dedicated a memorial in Washington DC to the 100 million people murdered by communism over the past century. Here is a portion of what he offered in remembrance of those victims:

“They include innocent Ukrainians starved to death in Stalin’s Great Famine or Russians killed in Stalin’s purges; Lithuanians and Latvians and Estonians loaded onto cattle cars and deported to Arctic death camps of Soviet communism. They include Chinese killed in the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution; Cambodians slain in Pol Pot’s Killing Fields; East Germans shot attempting to scale the Berlin Wall in order to make it to freedom; Poles massacred in the Katyn Forest and Ethiopians slaughtered in the ‘Red Terror’; Miskito Indians murdered by Nicaragua’s Sandinista dictatorship; and Cuban balseros who drowned escaping tyranny.”
Continue reading →

**Robinson: ‘We don’t want’ Federal Education Funds in NC**

“Money, Honey – we don’t want you!”

A Republican candidate for governor, Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson says he would reject federal funding for North Carolina schools.. That’s a popular idea among some conservatives, but it could come with a hefty price tag.

Robinson was asked by an attendee what he could do to fight school bureaucracy at the federal level. He said he’d prefer to see the state opt out of federal education funds. Continue reading →

Bennett: Stepping Up ~ A Guide for High School Graduates Transitioning to the Workforce

Graduating from high school marks a significant milestone in your life, opening up a multitude of avenues for your future. As you stand on the threshold of the professional world, it is crucial to make informed choices that reflect your personal interests and capabilities. This transition can be smooth and successful with a structured approach to career planning. In this article from Metropolis.Café, you will discover how to align your passions with viable career options, develop essential skills, and effectively present yourself to potential employers. Continue reading →

Would you pass the US citizenship test?

10 questions, including the Federalist Papers one everybody gets wrong

Government officials celebrated Independence Day by welcoming approximately 11,000 new citizens to the US during the July 4th holiday week.

Some 195 naturalization ceremonies have been organized between June 23 and July 5 by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). That’s double the 5,500 welcomed to the country in the same week last year.

But before being granted citizenship, all applicants must pass a two-part test. In the first part they must demonstrate an understanding of English. Continue reading →

When Kennedy Became a Hero in 1943

Lt. John_F. Kennedy aboard the PT-109

In the early hours of August 2, 1943, a Japanese destroyer rammed an American PT (patrol torpedo) boat, No. 109, slicing it in two. The destruction is so massive other American PT boats in the area assume the crew is dead.

Two crewmen were, in fact, killed, but 11 survived, including Lt. John F. Kennedy. Continue reading →

The Sounds of America: Letting Freedom Ring

Stop for a moment and listen. American freedom can be found in the sound of backyard birthday parties and the daily commute.

We enjoy the right to raise our children according to our own values. (Biba Kayewich)

As a child, my family would sometimes be out walking when suddenly Mom would say, “Stop! Close your eyes and then listen to see who can hear five separate sounds first.”

We would all pause, even holding our breath, straining to catch the faintest sounds of a bird, a car in the distance, or even an airplane far above in the sky. It was a fun activity, and it made us exercise one of our five senses that we weren’t relying on as much as we looked around. Continue reading →

5 Suggestions for New Homeschoolers

The most important thing is to stick with it and believe you can.

Homeschooling can be daunting, but it is a task that you can definitely take on. (Julija Sulkovska/Shutterstock)

As summer winds down, millions of families are gearing up to begin a new homeschool year. For some, it will be their first foray into homeschool life. The homeschool path, of course, isn’t the easiest choice, and starting out into the unknown tends to be the hardest part of the journey.

So, for those brave parents choosing for the first time to take back the reins and steer their own children’s education and development, here’s some advice… Continue reading →

Sharing Her Unique Experience: Former School Teacher Turns to Homeschooling Her Gifted Child

A mom of a gifted child – with 15 years of experience in the teaching profession – is sharing her unique experience of homeschooling her daughter and how it’s been a blessing and growing experience for her family.

Caroline learning the alphabet. (Courtesy of Sallie Borrink)

“As we approach the end of our [homeschooling] journey, I can say it has been completely worth it,” Mrs. Sallie Borrink told The Epoch Times. “We can see how all of the hard work spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally has paid off.” Continue reading →

Finding Wisdom in the Past: Michelangelo’s Sistine Ceiling

Sistine Ceiling between 1508-1512 by Michelangelo. Fresco, Sistine Chapel, Vatican.

Our artistic traditions are full of wisdom. We can look to the past and, with curious minds and open hearts, absorb the lessons of our cultural history. The Italian Renaissance is filled with great stories that resulted in great art, and the story and art of Michelangelo are an enduring example. Continue reading →

Unschooling: The Radical Education Trend Raising Eyebrows

Some parents are letting their children lead their education

Without direct instruction, will kids pick up reading and math naturally? (Image credit: llustration by Julia Wytrazek)

Since the pandemic, there has been a noticeable surge in homeschooling. Now, a different pedagogical trend called “unschooling” is gaining momentum, sparking controversy and debate online.

In June, spiritual influencer Mami Onami went viral after discussing unschooling or “free schooling” her children. “We don’t teach our children anything,” she said in a TikTok video. “Everything that they learn is in response to either their interest or their questions.” With no set curriculum or school hours, she and her partner “just respond whenever [her kids] wanna know something and do our best to make sure they really get it.” Mami Onami’s declaration has led to backlash on social media, with many commenters questioning her parenting. However, she is not alone in pursuing this alternative route to educating her children. Continue reading →

The Supreme Court’s Daring Attempt to Limit Government

A HISTORY lesson – for yesterday, today and tomorrow. ~ Editor

On May 29, 1935, in the midst of a Great Depression that would not end, the Supreme Court struck down a central piece of legislation of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal, the National Industrial Recovery Act. In Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States, the Court ruled that the entire scheme violated the U.S. Constitution.

It was a landmark case because the Supreme Court was directly challenging both the executive and legislative branches. It said: They have gone too far and therefore all the legislation and regulation is illegal. As a result, the most elaborate central-planning scheme ever imposed on the U.S. economy was deleted. Continue reading →

**Jesse Owens’ Four Gold Medals at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin Were a ‘Thumb in the Eye‘ to Adolf Hitler**

Jesse Owens won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics, set in the backdrop of Nazi Germany

Jesse Owens’ grandson said his track-legend grandfather’s successes at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin were a ‘thumb in the eye‘ to Adolf Hitler.

To commemorate the 4th of July, and the beginning of the Paris Olympics in 2024, Owens’ name was back in the news as one of the greatest American Olympians of all-time. Continue reading →

Bennett: Help Your Child Become A Leader With These Smart Strategies

Leadership is an invaluable skill that can profoundly influence a child’s future, shaping their success in school, career, and personal interactions. For parents, the early introduction and nurturing of leadership qualities such as resilience, empathy, and decisiveness are both a privilege and a responsibility. Here are practical strategies for embedding leadership lessons into everyday parenting, courtesy of Metropolis.Cafe. Continue reading →

Homeschooled Girl Started College at Age 14, Will Graduate This Fall at 19 With a Bachelor’s Degree

“For anybody going into this … you need to have that discipline to get to see it through.”

Ms. Kyles with her Pi Sigma Alpha certificate for academic excellence in the field of political science. (Courtesy of Melissa Wheeler)

A homeschool student who began attending college at age 14 is gearing up to complete her bachelor’s degree, graduating from the University of the Pacific this fall.

Abigail Kyles, 19, is a college student from California and the daughter of Melissa Wheeler, 44, who directs a homeschool resource center.

Born and raised in Bakersfield, Ms. Kyles was homeschooled through high school, which enabled her to begin attending Bakersfield College, a junior college, when she was just 14. This made her a college freshman and high school freshman at the same time.

“She graduated high school at 16 years old and is now finishing up her four-year degree at University of the Pacific,” the proud mom told The Epoch Times.

Although many public schools offer dual enrollment, they do not allow students to take a heavier college course load the way Ms. Kyles did. Ms. Wheeler believes homeschooling was the secret to her daughter’s success, allowing the teen to take all the college courses she took and graduate at a young age. Continue reading →

‘David Copperfield’: A Book About Memory, Writing, and Fatherhood

The novel traces how a boy learns from examples, good and bad, what is needed to become a good father.

Mentorship from father figures is a guiding force in David Copperfield’s life. “Traddles, Micawber, and David,” by Frank Reynolds, 1910.

Charles Dickens created many memorable stories. The one he loved best was also the one he spoke of from the perspective of a father: “It will be easily believed that I am a fond parent to every child of my fancy, and that no one can ever love that family as dearly as I love them. But, like many fond parents, I have in my heart of hearts a favourite child. And his name is DAVID COPPERFIELD.” Continue reading →

Teen Breaks Homeschooling Stereotypes, Reveals How It Strengthened Her Family Bond, Confidence, and Faith!

(Illustration by The Epoch Times, Courtesy of Nadine Lauffer, Courtesy of Emma Reese Photography)

Eighteen-year-old Nadine Lauffer has become part of a movement of homeschooling families who are debunking myths surrounding the community. With her weekly podcasts, she’s also been helping teens homeschool fearlessly through high school.

Ms. Lauffer, currently based in Pennsylvania, spent years growing up in the Netherlands and Florida as her dad used to work in chemical engineering sales.

At the age of 3, she began her educational journey at a Dutch-speaking school. However, when her family moved to Florida, she had to restart kindergarten since she didn’t know any English but successfully overcame that challenge. Continue reading →

Bennett: Think, Experiment, Learn ~ Creative STEM Enhancements for Your Classroom

Maintaining a leading edge in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines is essential in the ever-evolving world of education. As you tackle the complexities of teaching these subjects, it’s crucial to continuously discover and adopt innovative strategies that engage and inspire your students. This Metropolis.Café article delves into various practical techniques to rejuvenate and enhance STEM learning in your classroom, aiming to transform both the teaching experience and student outcomes. Continue reading →

President Orders the Military to Sieze Newspapers and Arrest Workers for Printing Fake News

On Wednesday, May 18, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln issued an Executive Order, commanding General John A. Dix to arrest and imprison the editors, proprietors, and publishers of the New York World and New York Journal of Commerce newspapers for publishing a “false and spurious proclamation purporting to be signed by the President.”

This was part of an incident known as the “Gold Hoax of 1864.” Or, as this video from Life on the Civil War Research Trail calls it, “Fake News.” Continue reading →