[speechlesstx]

In yet another egregious attempt at indoctrinating our children, Democrats have introduced the "No Child Left Inside Act of 2009."

“We are gathered to unveil the No Child Left Inside Act of 2009, which will support environmental education in our nation’s schools,” Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), a lead sponsor of the bill, said Thursday at Upper Russell Senate Park (near the U.S. Capitol). “These young people will be the environmental stewards and leaders of tomorrow, and we have to prepare them today – and that’s the whole point of this legislation.”

The legislation "would provide $500 million over five years to schools with approved “environmental literacy” plans for students in grades kindergarten through 12, and offer competitive grants to schools and non-profits for outdoor education projects."

I'm all for getting kids outside, but I don't see any need to teach 5-year-olds to understand "multiple perspectives and the complex nature of solving environmental challenges" any more than they need "comprehensive sex education." This is freakin' ridiculous.

[NeedKarma]

I'm all for getting kids outside, but I don't see any need to teach 5-year-olds to understand "multiple perspectives and the complex nature of solving environmental challenges" ...

That's the adult explanation, the curriculum geared for children is made simpler and fun, similar to "understanding concepts of grouping and similarity" means putting the red blocks in the same pile.

[Curlyben]

The saddest thing about this is the need to even consider entering it into statute law.
Just how pathetic is that??
Almost as bad as No Child Left Behind. How is the removal of competitive activities and competitions meant to equip our children for the real world.
There are always winners and losers, and, as long as they endeavour to the best of their abilities, and are encouraged to do so, then let them enjoy childhood. DON'T wrap them in some pseudo cotton wool bubble.
They'll only end up hating us for doing it.

[inthebox]

“The bill puts propaganda officially in the schools,” Myron Ebell, director of energy and global warming policy at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, told CNSNews.com. He added that urban populations that do not interact with the natural world can be misled to believe humans are destroying the environment and that it should be preserved at all cost.

“The environmental movement has exploited a strong demographic change in the U.S. ” Ebell said, referring to the population shift from rural to urban-based population over the last century.

“It used to be that most people who lived in the city had a relative who lived on a farm and the kids would spend the summer there where they learned you had to grow things, cut things down and dig things up to live,” he added.

“At the end of the day,” Ebell said, “it's about preservation ideology.”

Exactly



Did they forget of actual LITERACY, before they move on to other forms of literacy?

This is the govn't wasting taxpayor dollars.

I take my kids to the humane society, or camping, or the zoo, tell them to shut off lights when they are not in use ETC. It has to come from the parents.

Oh yeah, I tell them that deer hunting is necessary to keep deer populations down.





G&P

[speechlesstx]

That's the adult explanation, the curriculum geared for children is made simpler and fun, similar to "understanding concepts of grouping and similarity" means putting the red blocks in the same pile.

Gee, NK, can you be any more condescending?

[speechlesstx]

let them enjoy childhood

That's been my point for a long time.

[NeedKarma]

Gee, NK, can you be any more condescending?

What's wrong with including environmental concepts in early childhood education?

[NeedKarma]

That's been my point for a long time.

You'd better tear a strip off inthebox then, he's teaching his freakin' kids about saving energy and predator/prey concepts - robbing them of their childhood!!

[speechlesstx]

What's wrong with including environmental concepts in early childhood education?

You missed my point entirely. Nevertheless, what the heck is right about it? Let kids be kids for crying out loud, and stop with the government mandated leftist indoctrination. I thought the left was for leaving religion out of the classroom anyway, and seeing as how it takes a heck of a lot of faith to believe the environmental consensus I think environmentalism qualifies as a religion.

[speechlesstx]

You'd better tear a strip off inthebox then, he's teaching his freakin' kids about saving energy and predator/prey concepts - robbing them of their childhood!!!!!!!!

The difference that escapes you is it's inthebox's right to teach his children as he wishes, it is not the government's place to instill their values in our children.

[NeedKarma]

... and stop with the government mandated leftist indoctrination. I thought the left was for leaving religion out of the classroom anyway, and seeing as how it takes a heck of a lot of faith to believe the environmental consensus I think environmentalism qualifies as a religion.

Oh OK...

<unsubscribes>

[speechlesstx]

Oh ok...

<unsubscribes>

Your bravery in answering the challenge is overwhelming. This was my last point to you:

"The difference that escapes you is it's inthebox's right to teach his children as he wishes, it is not the government's place to instill their values in our children."

Or do you believe it is the government's place to undermine parental values?

[tomder55]

Lol I wonder who is writing the curriculum ? James Hansen.. the Goracle ?
Environmental literacy ? Seems we have not mastered teaching literacy.. period. Perhaps if we stuck to the basics in the early years a proper foundation would be laid for more complex education later.

Regardless ;there is no constitutional role for the national government in education ;nor to appropriate funds for state or local school systems.
The bill would give funding to “schools with approved 'environmental literacy' plans.” And who decides what is approved 'environmental literacy' plan”?. the Dept. of Education .That would be the Dept of Education run by the Democrats that are beholden to both the teacher's unions and the Envirowacko lobbies.
Why not just call it No child left unindoctrinated ?

Btw the Senate Bill has 2 Republican cosponsors... both Sen. Of Maine. The House bill had 1 Republican cosponsor ;Frank LoBiondo of New Jersey .

[speechlesstx]

I'm sure whoever writes the curriculum will be most fair and unbiased. Maybe they'll even use some Peta children's videos?

No surprise on the senators from Maine, perhaps they see this as a way to raise up young minds to solve their Bald Eagle problem.

[tomder55]

When I vacationed there I did some ocean kayaking .Seemed like there was an eagle nest on every small island off Mount Desert Island.

Also did some fishing, and judging by the total boat catch ,a lack of fish did not seem to be a problem.

[speechlesstx]

Also did some fishing, and judging by the total boat catch ,a lack of fish did not seem to be a problem.

But it makes a convenient story line.

[inthebox]

The difference that escapes you is it's inthebox's right to teach his children as he wishes, it is not the government's place to instill their values in our children.

I'm not surprised you get it :)

It is those that have faith in government that don't get it.

I can see Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" being passed for "environmental literacy." :rolleyes:





G&P

[ETWolverine]

What's wrong with including environmental concepts in early childhood education?

What's wrong is that the public school system has consistently failed to teach children reading, writing and arithmatic. They need to concentrate on real education rather than creating new programs that aren't going to help these kids grow up and be productive members of society.

When I was growing up, "environmental education" meant teaching kids to throw their garbage in the trash can.

Stupidity.

Elliot

[speechlesstx]

When I was growing up, "environmental education" meant teaching kids to throw their garbage in the trash can.

When I was growing up the "no child left inside act" was called recess.

[spitvenom]

I'm all for environmental education. I understand the entire get 'em while their young. But what's the point of environmental education when 90% of the kids can't spell environmental.