Keep politicians out of education.

jess, infant teachers deal with "free flow" nature, nature walks and nature tables all the time! Where've you been if you think it,s not included in their training?

Sorry feetee... crossed post with jess's.

Yes, other people did too on a previous occasion, and an amusing exchange followed.

The fact remains, carbon, that the scientific methods starts with and depends on observations of nature, and the recordings thereof, so how can a proposal that children start their science education with observations of nature (which they do anyway in all the schools I've had to do with; check out the national curriculum and you'll see too) be not teaching them the scientific method? Perhaps you are thinking of creationist establishments? Although it has been decreed in law, I believe, that creationism cannot be taught as fact in British schools.

Were you taught the scientific method?

Oh don't blooming hijack our education thread you two! Enough already. Please!
Science begins with being interested in the world and how it works, observing more closely and then starting to measure it. And with lots and lots of questions - Why is the sky blue? Why is it dark in the night?
Maybe Gove is right on this one (though I cringe, I do, to admit it). My GS aged 4 noticed every spiders web and bug as he walks along he road and (i know i have put this once on GN before) announced recently "I love you mother nature" .His sister at that age used to know that clouds were made of water vapour. At the moment, aged 7, she wants to be a zoologist. I hope they will grow up to be scientists of some kind.
So we may go back to the nature walk as a valid lesson - oh and the nature table - do you remember them?
Jane Goodall used to spend hours and hours watching hens as a child. Weird - but it prepared her for months of chimp watching.
Not sure how well todays primary teachers are equipped to deal with free flow curiosity about the bushes, trees and bugs? Not been part of the training for a while.
I remember a friend of mine, doing her BEd as a mature student, telling this story:
College of education you should picture, on top of a hill. Students sitting outside during lunch hour. Duck walks past.
Ed Student 1: How did that GET here?
Ed student 2 (my friend): Flew, I suppose.
Ed student 1 : Do ducks FLY!!?? I never knew that!

lol carbon I read 'denier' as in tights and wondered what on earth that had to do with the conversation.

Well, come on CC ...you managed it!!

I don't know either?

Well ok ...but still don't know how they manage it?

Added emphasis?

have noticed that on some occassions people manage to post the same message twice

How does that happen ? [just curious] emoticon

O for goodness sake Bags I have not called anyone names. If you wish to think of the word denier as a rude name that is your problem.

O for goodness sake Bags I have not called anyone names. If you wish to think of the word denier as a rude name that is your problem.

Calling people names does not help any cause.

The scientific method starts with observations of nature. As for whether people who deny climate change were taught the scientific method at school, you'd better ask them, if you can find any. I haven't come across any on gransnet, only some who are sceptical of climate alarmism.

I note that one of Gove's proposals is for children to learn science by observing nature and for them not to be taught the scientific method.

I wonder what you all think of that? I also wonder: where the climate change deniers among us taught the scientific method when they were at school?

Well spotted absent

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14662728

George W was looking at a story book about a goat (I forget the title) which the teacher was reading to a group of tinies. He went on looking at the book for some minutes after being informed that the US was under attack.

Yes ..I think he was infront of students ...but not sure of the age group?

At least Gordon down on the floor, even if he was in a suit.
Wasn't' Bush reading a story to school kids when he heard about the twin towers? Or am I confused.

You're right Annobel. Because they were also premature at birth, we have been thinking about closing that gap in maturity for the last few years. Their little cousins, who were also premature, won't have this issue as they were born in October.

when, your GSs are very fortunate in being so well prepared for school. Others may not have their advantages. I do feel that schools need to take more note of the difference in maturity between only-just-fours and 'rising fives'.

Thanx for the link Cari ...it was the captions that often 'made' the image!!

My little grandsons, who will be 4 at the end of August, start school in September. They have been having 15 hours a week 'education' with their qualified childminder, and have been to a few events at their new school. On Sunday they went to a jubilee party there, and lots of 7 and 8 year olds descended on them and their mum, got them to join in games, and generally played with them for the whole afternoon, telling them 'we can't wait till you come to our school - we'll look after you and you'll be our friends.' What a fantastic welcome, initiated by the children. They can't wait to get there now. They have two afternoons there next month, then start 1/2 days for the first fortnight in September. They already have their school bags which they use to go to their childminder, with their lunch and library reading book in there.

I thought I'd prepared my children well for school, but my grandchildren are even better prepared. They can read and write their own names and a few short words, can count up to 12, know what 2 x 2, 3 and 4 make, dress themselves and do their shoes, and are soaking up learning like crazy. They know a few Spanish and French words and can sing all of Frere Jacques. They are becoming more skilled in socialising with children of their age. For the youngest children in the class, we have no concerns - they'll be fine.

Cari, love them all but the Michael Gove picture is priceless and I can't get it out of my head. Help!

Think I have spotted who bear is. No prizes for guessing.
I liked your tally of secs of state Annobel - under new labour they were about a year in office each, until Balls arrived and stayed until the election.
They did drive me mad, but they did put a lot more money into education than the previous administration. I fear though we will have one-foot-in-the-fifties Gove for the duration.
POGS the others are right. They do maths a bit differently now and start tables later.