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Dirt & Noise

A blog by a left leaning mom of 2 boys

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learning

It’s a Small World After All

Ilinap · August 9, 2022 ·

tappity-tap-tap There was an ever so faint knock at the door. With a fussy baby nestled in my arms, I peeked out the window and saw a little blond kid, our neighbor Adam. “Can I bring baby Bird to my school for Show and Tell?” he asked. I literally LOLed. Of course I said … [Read more...] about It’s a Small World After All

Tags: Bird, children, education, learning, school, teachers

More Testing for 8 Year Olds in NC

Ilinap · February 6, 2014 ·

It's no secret what I think about standardized testing. Testing, testing companies, and ed reformers are killing education. They are sucking the joy out of learning and teaching. No longer do we value children's curiosity, imagination, creativity, and joy. Those who claim to care … [Read more...] about More Testing for 8 Year Olds in NC

Tags: children, education, learning, North Carolina, teaching, testing

Live and Learn

Ilinap · March 12, 2013 ·

There are some things that you cannot learn just from someone telling you it is so. We've all been teenagers and can vouch for this, no? Bird and Deal are still too young to delve into teenage impropriety; they are young enough to dip their toes into puerile mischief and listen … [Read more...] about Live and Learn

Tags: Bird, children, Deal, kids, learning, parenting

Is art essential to education?

Ilinap · January 16, 2013 ·

Do you believe art is an essential part of your child's education? I think this is a no-brainer. I fear that art is dismissed and ignored simply because it is a subject that cannot be standardized. Tested. Ugh. The beauty and benefits of art are esoteric and too profound to be … [Read more...] about Is art essential to education?

Tags: art, children, education, kids, learning, responsibility, school

Whales and Penguins and Polar Bears, Oh My! – Discovery and the BBC’s Frozen Planet

Ilinap · March 12, 2012 ·

We used to watch Planet Earth on our old behemoth television that made everyone look grainy and pockmarked. We always commented how much better Planet Earth would be in HD. It took Wisconsin going to the Rose Bowl and the Packers going to the Super Bowl to give Mac Daddy the … [Read more...] about Whales and Penguins and Polar Bears, Oh My! – Discovery and the BBC’s Frozen Planet

Tags: education, learning, nature

Wordless Wednesday: Active(ist).

Ilina · March 17, 2010 ·

… [Read more...] about Wordless Wednesday: Active(ist).

Tags: change, community, education, learning, mom, North Carolina, politics, school, wordless Wednesday

Wake County School Board Has Me Fired Up…and Worried

Ilina · March 15, 2010 ·

Our school board has bullied, bushwhacked, and axed a wedge clear through the county, and it reeks of party line politics. I'm up in arms, fancying myself an activist these days. Read on to see what has me so irate. Here's a hint: Diversity isn't just about color. … [Read more...] about Wake County School Board Has Me Fired Up…and Worried

Tags: Bird, children, conservatism, culture, Deal, education, learning, neighborhood, poverty, racist, school, teach

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Progressive, mom, writer, reader, traveler. Believe in good manners, home cooking, spending $ on experiences, not things, Oxford comma. ENFJ.

There are certain shades of limelight that can wreck a girl's complexion. - Holly Golightly
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Featured Posts

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