Our school system is falling apart, and what solution do Rahm Emanuel and his appointed school CEO, Forrest Claypool have? Firing us for four days. It might seem as an extreme statement, but that is essentially what we are experiencing. Chicago teachers have been furloughed for four days, and today is one of them. Our… Read more »

BustED Pencils Radio Episode 16 –  Episode 16: Is this the Revolution we’ve been waiting for? Episode 16: Is this the Revolution we’ve been waiting for? Overprotective tendencies?????  Hmmmmmmm – What the???? The opt-out movement and the coddling epidemic http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/education/275154-the-opt-out-movement-and-the-coddling-epidemic 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 OPT OUT! Common Core: Top 5 districts opting out so… Read more »

BustED Pencils Radio – What Would Matt Damon’s Mom Say? (WWMDMS) WWMDMS – 1/8/16 WWMDMS – 1/8/16 Yet another reason Standardized tests should not be in schools. Creativity at Its Best…! https://www.facebook.com/binishkumarks/videos/10150455838601609/?fref=nf What an interview!  Tons of information on this.  Keep Busting Pencils Jeanette Beatrice Taylor-Ramann Jeanette Beatrice Taylor-Ramann Parent Parent Organizer The Chicago Parent Hunger Strike… Read more »

BustED Pencils Radio SPECIAL Episode –  Special Episode of BustED Pencils: Busting Pencils in Chicago Special Episode of BustED Pencils: Busting Pencils in Chicago Danish-style kindergarten.  WHAT??!!!  Free play, decision making, physical activity, creating, understanding their environment??  BRAVO.  Look how happy the kids are!!  American kindergarteners would be begging for this if they knew about it!!!… Read more »

BustED Pencils Radio Episode 6 –  Bertis Downs, REM, NPE and one BAT Episode 6: Bertis Downs, REM, NPE and one BAT No formal application needed. Americans can study in Germany for free, in English. An increasing number are doing it. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/02/20/americans-can-study-in-germany-for-free-in-english-an-increasing-number-are-doing-it/?tid=sm_fb Abuse of special education monies. Senator Andy Manar goes after special education. Senator Andy… Read more »

Troy LaRaviere makes a true statement: …”the work “activism” marginalizes people”… .  We tend to agree with this statement. DON’T CALL IT ACTIVISM Don’t Call It Activism Testing turns into a “daily” process!  Oh no!! Emily Talmadge Warns that Gates is Infiltrating Opt Out Emily Talmadge Warns that Gates is Infiltrating Opt Out   Jonathan Pelto has a fantastic point!… Read more »

“Teachers Union has tripled the public support of Emanuel”   –   TRIPLED!!!!!!!  WAY TO KEEP BUSTING THOSE PENCILS CTU – clap clap clap Thousands rally downtown for Chicago Teachers Union http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-chicago-teachers-union-rally-0205-20160204-story.html A 3 HOUR exam and a driving test… Algebra 1 EOC: Ridiculously High Stakes Algebra 1 EOC: Ridiculously High Stakes   No lists of “best”… Read more »