re: pushing our limits, physically and mentally- or maybe it's all mental?

Interesting.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/20/health/nutrition/20best.html?_r=1&ref=science

character and education

do note the author's last name...

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/18/magazine/what-if-the-secret-to-success-is-failure.html?_r=1&hp

on math

This blog could be a good place to post links of potential interest to the Acton community- I'll begin with this one:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/25/opinion/how-to-fix-our-math-education.html

Austin Tinkering School!

Following in the footsteps of Gever Tully (founder of the original Tinkering School in California and author of "50 dangerous things you should let your children do", my friend Kami Wilt has started the Austin Tinkering School.

She offers summer camps and workshops throughout the year where:

"kids can get their hands on real tools and real materials. Adults serve as collaborators rather than teachers for maximum engagement, interest, enthusiasm, learning, and enjoyment."

Obviously very in line with the Acton Philosophy!

I have signed Bodhi up for the Six Simple Machines class on Tuesdays from 4-6pm. (see description below).

http://austintinkeringschool.wordpress.com/

Six Simple Machines ages 4-8 $175

CLASS ADDED: now also offered Tuesdays 4-6 Sept. 21st through Oct. 26th

In this class we will explore the six simple machines ( pulleys, levers, screws, wedges, wheel and axles, and inclined planes) in the most hands-on and experiential way possible. I’ll bring lots of examples of these machines that we use in daily life, and we’ll do a fun project each week using each machine. For a grand finale we’ll spend the last day making Rube Goldberg machines.

book group?

I'm reading Atul Gawande's" Checklist Manifesto", and finding it insightful (though a little repetitive- it could probably have been a magazine article instead of a full length book. I like stories of the horrors of the OR so I'm personally okay with the extra anecdotes). I'm thinking about implementing the concepts in the book to increase efficacy around the house and in some other projects. The Acton community may find this book useful; if anyone else reads it, I'd be interesting in hearing your thoughts.

On a similar note, would anyone be interested in forming an unofficial, informal Acton Parents book group, perhaps starting in August or September?

Things We Like:What Happens When Children Build Their Own Three-Story Playgrounds?

"studies point to the tendency for children to adjust their actions given the relative danger of a situation. If the perceived risk is high, children will naturally be more careful or wary of their actions and movements."

http://publicworkshop.us/?p=194

school lunches

I'd love to know your opinion on our lunch program - how important is it to you that we provide this service? Does it add value to your life and your child's life? Would you like to have your child bring his/her own lunch next year rather than pay for us to provide lunch? Now that we have some time under our belt, I'd like to assess how important this program is to you. Thanks for feedback!