Finnish Schools, Polish Schools, US Schools

I found an article titled "What Americans Keep Ignoring About Finland's School Success" which was written a couple of weeks ago and discussed the differences between the two countries methods and PISA test scores.  And what was continuously being brushed aside by Americans and was probably the most important key to the Finnish schools success.

I thought the article was interesting and decided I wanted to share it with you.



I also wanted to share some links to PISA test scores for other countries.

Poland 2000-2006 PISA scores, including explanations of education reforms.

PISA 2009 scores table for participating countries



What do you think about this large difference in education methods and test scores? 

Is your child in public school or private?  Mine at this point are in private school because I don't have any faith in the public school system where we currently live.

Would you want your children to have the same education as Finnish children have?  Personally, I would love that.  I think it holds true to the ideals set forth by both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.



As a complete side note, did you notice that the girls in the first article's photograph are dressed differently than American girls?  Can you tell the difference?  Every girl in the photo is wearing very little pink, more variety of colors, no cartoon characters, dressed for comfort and their hair is pulled up.  It seems subtle but compare a group of American girls the same age in dress attire and their hair styles and it's actually quite different.

Na razie...

Indian Burial Mound in Racine Wisconsin

We enjoy finding Indian (Native American) history all around us.  I was having a hard time trying to find it for a while but discovered something. 

Out here on the Midwest Prairie, there were Mounds built by the Native Americans for certain reasons, as graves, for observing the stars, for ceremonies, etc.  I found it difficult to find Mounds but figured out that if you searched for Mound Cemeteries, there are many all around us. 

The only one thus far that we have found that acknowledged the Native American Mound builders was the Racine Mound Cemetery.  That doesn't mean that others don't also acknowledge this but this is the first we found.

Hills are not actually very natural out here.  Certainly, the further you go inland from Lake Michigan, the ground has a natural roll to it.  But they are not large hills with angles and designs that do not fit the natural topography.  It is safe to assume that any unusual looking hill around could be a Burial or Ceremonial Mound.

I wonder why the burial grounds of the Native Americans were sold.  Why they were used as cemeteries for the white pioneers who took the land from the Native Americans who had been living here for thousands of years before.  Why many Native American remains were removed and put in private collections or removed and their new locations impossible to find.

But I suppose it might be better than putting a Walmart on a Burial Ground.

I know nobody buried in this area is a relative of mine.  And that, probably, I will not be buried here.  But cemeteries are sacred places to me and I don't believe some one's final resting place should be tampered with. 

Perhaps because I honor All Saint's Day.

Perhaps because I want to teach my children the history of our new home and I think the Native American history is a very important part of that and all I've found so far to show my children are these Mound Cemeteries.

What do you think about this?

Na razie...

Other Related Links:

Wordless Wednesday: At a Cemetery for All Saints' Day

Racine History - Cemeteries in Racine

History of Mound Cemetery

9/11: We Will Always Remember

There are moments of human history that require beautiful eloquent words of reflection.

This is one of those times.  And I don't have them.

I just have deep sorrow in my heart of a tragic moment that did not directly impact me, thank God, but impacted me nontheless as an American.

Ten years of remembering, of crying every year watching the names called out in memory by loved ones on the anniversary.  This was not a couple of buildings collapsing.  This was people losing their lives senselessly.

I don't think that recalling where I was when this happened does any justice to those who died.  I was in Maryland at my job.  Noone I knew was among those lost.

Instead, I will be spending tomorrow in quiet reflection, hugging my family, thanking God that we weren't among those who died and remembering them.

Listening to the names being called out.  Singing our national anthem.  And telling my children the story of what happened before their time.

I want them to always remember 9/11.






I wanted to share a link to a reliable charity which cares for those rescue workers who were exposed to asbestos, etc. while at Ground Zero but haven't found one yet that sems reliable and who's vast majority of donations goes to the intended recipients, the 9/11 responders.  If I find one, I will add it here for anyone interested.  Or perhaps you can suggest one.

I thought this was interesting to read, figures related to 9/11 tragedy.  Including the amount of money raised with charities and how much went to the victims.