HS Comments on the Fly

From an unschooling article:

“The [public] school system that we have now was invented in the late 19th century and had very explicit models: factories, railroads and the army,” Glass said. “So they took features from each of those areas and created a school system.”

The article has some interesting tidbits on educational philsophy — even mentioning Rousseau — and worth a read whether you believe unschooling (or Rousseau) has merit or not.

The article, surprisingly (or not so surprisingly) mentions Ferris Beuller. “Beuller? Beuller?” And possibly Ferris Beuller is the most famous of all those who practice unschooling — even though in his case it was only for a day. Who can forget his famous words after serenading us with the clarinet? “Never had one lesson.” Yes, that’s one of our most favorite movie quotes for homeschoolers. And no I don’t recommend this movie for the little ones.

Dreadful technique. You’ve confused rays with beams! D! Minus! I’d give you an F, but that would only mean having to see you in summer school.

~ Mr. Medulla in Sky High, rated PG

I only try to get away with this movie quote when my students have done really well on a project that they’ve come to show me. Otherwise, it could probably be a crushing comment. I think having older teens helps; I couldn’t say this to a kindergartner.

Have you seen Sky High? I thought it was kind of cute and a wee bit creative.

Product description: From Disney, Will Stronghold, son of superheroes Commander and Jetstream (Kurt Russell and Kelly Preston), hasn’t physically matured enough to get his own “superpowers.” He struggles at Sky High school in despair, trying to hide is dilemma, as his friends go about with their powers in full force. Will wonders if he’ll ever get his superpowers. It has a good ending, with Will understanding that there’s more to being a hero than superpowers. Sounds a bit trite, but it’s a fresh perspective.

I’m glad we homeschool so that we could properly commemorate Groundhog Day.

I wanted to skip it this year, but my daughter chirped, “But it’s tradition.”

And she is right. We watch it every year. Even though today I would have rather just stuck with the schedule, which makes me feel like we’re on the right track.

So we watched Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell in the eternal classic Groundhog Day. We got it out of the way early.

This, of course, leads us right into our “Quote for Homeschooling Use.” You see, any time anyone says, “I’ll finish it (algebra, writing, science) tomorrow,” any family member can reply,

Well, what if there is no tomorrow? There wasn’t one today.

~ Phil in Groundhog Day

It’s not quite a movie for the very young — too many suicide attempts which would likely be confusing, plus there’s other objectional stuff. But for those of us who can stomach some of the bad, like when Phil just hauls off and punches Ned, Ned Ryerson, it ends up being a touching story.

You’re startin’ to damage my calm.

~ Jayne in Serenity (HDTV version)

For use when you need a bit of quiet or when someone barges into the room and starts making noise while you’re working on quadratic equations.

The true quote is “She is startin’ to damage my calm” as I heard it. Jayne says it about River. You have to watch the movie to get the right tone on it when you say it or it’s just not shiny.

Unsolicited advice for those who’ve not enjoyed the pleasures of the good ship Firefly: The movie is good, but you’ve got to watch the series first, which was unceremiously cancelled by Fox during its first season. The series is Firefly. The movie is Serenity. Sci-fi, wild west flavor, truly unique.

You whine like a mule. You are still alive.

~ Azeem in Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves

Useful, but unsympathetic, reply to all whining. Sort of puts it all in perspective. Perfect for student or parent use.

Short review: Hasn’t everyone already seen this movie? Sword fights, fair maiden, Crusades, crone using runes, Picts as mercenaries, King Richard, Maid Marian being nearly compromised by the Sheriff of Nottingham, bows and arrows, blood, death, hangings, King John usurping, PG-13. It would have given me nightmares in my early days. Homeschool use? Has enough references to historical stuff to be useful for a movie night after studying this time period depending on the ages/maturity of your students. Of course, there are better movies like The Lion in Winter, though it is more work to watch. It’s not as entertaining, imo, as the Costner movie.

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

~ Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride

When someone uses a five dollar word, this is the best reply. Perfect for student or parent use.

Short review: Fun movie for most ages. Adventure romance. Swordplay. Rhyming. You can watch it and learn the lines and then watch it in French or Spanish to help you with your foreign languages. Homeschooling value, beyond that, is basically nil. A classic.