Mrs D has a great post about education
over here, and about the allegory that is used (by better educators) to teach.
Because education is not about learning what date an event happened, or how to use a formula, or what chemical to mix with what other chemical to make something else. Education is- or is supposed to be- about understanding. About learning how to learn. About being able to recognize patterns in life, and use your understanding of what those patterns mean to draw conclusions, solve problems, change the world.
I like Mrs. D but have some reservations about that. I was reading some scholarly dipchit that said the underlying message behind the story of Tom Sawyer was about homosexuality. Or you hear some artsy fartsy twit talking about the message behind an abstract painting that looked like it was done by a chimp. There is peril in trying to convey hidden meanings and real peril for those that must find them at any cost.
Far more important to teaching life and problem solving skills is to give the child a firm sense of perception and observation. You can’t change the world or solve a problem unless you see it clearly for what it is.
Great comments you left over there og!
I feel somewhat as rusty does, but exercise is always good, for the brain and the body.