Comments for Read Well Think Well http://readwellthinkwell.wordpress.com The Official Book Blog of Education Expert Hal W. Lanse, Ph. D. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 02:26:23 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on SARAH PALIN, CREATIONISM AND EVOLUTION by airtightnoodle http://readwellthinkwell.wordpress.com/2008/09/19/sarah-palin-creationism-and-evolution-or-whatever-happened-to-the-scientific-method/#comment-32 airtightnoodle Tue, 09 Dec 2008 02:26:23 +0000 http://readwellthinkwell.wordpress.com/?p=41#comment-32 mrssurridge said: "I choose to believe that my students didn’t evolve from apes." Your statement clearly demonstrates why teaching evolutionary theory is important and why it should not be confused by including non-scientific ideas such as creationism and intelligent design. How does it demonstrate this, you might wonder? Well, because evolutionary theory <em>does not teach that humans evolved from apes</em>. mrssurridge said: “I choose to believe that my students didn’t evolve from apes.”

Your statement clearly demonstrates why teaching evolutionary theory is important and why it should not be confused by including non-scientific ideas such as creationism and intelligent design. How does it demonstrate this, you might wonder? Well, because evolutionary theory does not teach that humans evolved from apes.

]]> Comment on THE WORLD’S WORST READING STRATEGY by a.r. http://readwellthinkwell.wordpress.com/2008/12/05/the-worlds-worst-reading-strategy/#comment-31 a.r. Sat, 06 Dec 2008 05:54:54 +0000 http://readwellthinkwell.wordpress.com/2008/12/05/the-worlds-worst-reading-strategy/#comment-31 I agree with your philosophy. I am learning how to be a teacher that facilitates learning. I believe that kids should have the opportunity to select their own books and change their minds if need be. In the last 2 years of my short 10 years of teaching, I have used this new idea. And I have loved teaching more now than ever before. Unfortunately, not everyone on my staff agrees. But change is slow and I am patient. I agree with your philosophy. I am learning how to be a teacher that facilitates learning. I believe that kids should have the opportunity to select their own books and change their minds if need be. In the last 2 years of my short 10 years of teaching, I have used this new idea. And I have loved teaching more now than ever before.

Unfortunately, not everyone on my staff agrees. But change is slow and I am patient.

]]> Comment on SARAH PALIN, CREATIONISM AND EVOLUTION by a.r. http://readwellthinkwell.wordpress.com/2008/09/19/sarah-palin-creationism-and-evolution-or-whatever-happened-to-the-scientific-method/#comment-30 a.r. Sat, 06 Dec 2008 05:46:28 +0000 http://readwellthinkwell.wordpress.com/?p=41#comment-30 Isn't the "Scientific Method" a man-made concept. Yes, it has served us well, But wouldn't you agree that the method - as you outlined above - is man-made. Not God made or animal made... but man made. Could it be within the realm of possibility that if there is a God or creator, then he is not within the limits of a Man-made formula? Creation stories from most cultures, is reliant on faith to believe it to be true. Creationists would claim that there is enough evidence to prove they are correct. But ultimately they need faith to believe their story. I'm not highly knowledgeable in the area of evolution. But I venture to say that even the evolutionist story requires faith. Faith in the system that man has made. The Scientific Method. Again, I'm not saying the Scientific Method is wrong, but we can probably agree that it is the best we've got as mortal men... very curious mortal men. Isn’t the “Scientific Method” a man-made concept. Yes, it has served us well, But wouldn’t you agree that the method – as you outlined above – is man-made. Not God made or animal made… but man made.

Could it be within the realm of possibility that if there is a God or creator, then he is not within the limits of a Man-made formula?

Creation stories from most cultures, is reliant on faith to believe it to be true. Creationists would claim that there is enough evidence to prove they are correct. But ultimately they need faith to believe their story.

I’m not highly knowledgeable in the area of evolution. But I venture to say that even the evolutionist story requires faith. Faith in the system that man has made. The Scientific Method.

Again, I’m not saying the Scientific Method is wrong, but we can probably agree that it is the best we’ve got as mortal men… very curious mortal men.

]]> Comment on SARAH PALIN, CREATIONISM AND EVOLUTION by mrssurridge http://readwellthinkwell.wordpress.com/2008/09/19/sarah-palin-creationism-and-evolution-or-whatever-happened-to-the-scientific-method/#comment-29 mrssurridge Sat, 06 Dec 2008 03:41:20 +0000 http://readwellthinkwell.wordpress.com/?p=41#comment-29 Sad...I really loved your blog until I read this post. Really?? Americans are falling behind in science and math because they might be taught about creationism? What about an awareness about the different theories that Americans have about how the world came about? I haven't heard that evolution is a proven fact. I'd rather allow my students to be presented with all the theories out there and let them make the decision. I'm not a scientist, but I haven't yet been convinced that evolution isn't just another belief. You may believe what you want. I choose to believe that my students didn't evolve from apes. Sad…I really loved your blog until I read this post. Really?? Americans are falling behind in science and math because they might be taught about creationism? What about an awareness about the different theories that Americans have about how the world came about? I haven’t heard that evolution is a proven fact. I’d rather allow my students to be presented with all the theories out there and let them make the decision. I’m not a scientist, but I haven’t yet been convinced that evolution isn’t just another belief. You may believe what you want. I choose to believe that my students didn’t evolve from apes.

]]> Comment on LOSE WEIGHT FAST! READ A BOOK!! by Andy Garcia http://readwellthinkwell.wordpress.com/2008/10/17/lose-weight-fast-read-a-book/#comment-26 Andy Garcia Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:31:44 +0000 http://readwellthinkwell.wordpress.com/?p=49#comment-26 Great article - thanks! Andy Great article – thanks!

Andy

]]> Comment on SARAH PALIN, CREATIONISM AND EVOLUTION by Debate Erupts Over Proposal to Teach Creationism in Brunswick Schools | http://readwellthinkwell.wordpress.com/2008/09/19/sarah-palin-creationism-and-evolution-or-whatever-happened-to-the-scientific-method/#comment-20 Debate Erupts Over Proposal to Teach Creationism in Brunswick Schools | Thu, 02 Oct 2008 05:24:55 +0000 http://readwellthinkwell.wordpress.com/?p=41#comment-20 [...] SARAH PALIN, CREATIONISM AND EVOLUTION - So when Sarah Palin (as “W” before her) suggests that creationism should be taught alongside evolution she’s just plain wrong. A discussion of creationism does not belong in scientific circles and it doesn’t belong in the science …  Listen to this postSocial BookmarkingTags: bible,brunswick-county,catholic,creationism,intelligent-design,sarah-palin,southern-baptistTags: [...] [...] SARAH PALIN, CREATIONISM AND EVOLUTION – So when Sarah Palin (as “W” before her) suggests that creationism should be taught alongside evolution she’s just plain wrong. A discussion of creationism does not belong in scientific circles and it doesn’t belong in the science …  Listen to this postSocial BookmarkingTags: bible,brunswick-county,catholic,creationism,intelligent-design,sarah-palin,southern-baptistTags: [...]

]]> Comment on SARAH PALIN, CREATIONISM AND EVOLUTION by airtightnoodle http://readwellthinkwell.wordpress.com/2008/09/19/sarah-palin-creationism-and-evolution-or-whatever-happened-to-the-scientific-method/#comment-19 airtightnoodle Sat, 20 Sep 2008 00:09:48 +0000 http://readwellthinkwell.wordpress.com/?p=41#comment-19 Unfortunately one of the problems is the teachers. For example, a significant amount of teachers believe in creationism, hence they probably aren't going to do justice to evolution in the clasroom. Some teachers have no problem with evolution but are flat out scared to teach it in the classroom because they fear the potential backlash from students, parents, and other teachers. Unfortunately one of the problems is the teachers. For example, a significant amount of teachers believe in creationism, hence they probably aren’t going to do justice to evolution in the clasroom. Some teachers have no problem with evolution but are flat out scared to teach it in the classroom because they fear the potential backlash from students, parents, and other teachers.

]]> Comment on BARACK OBAMA: “THE HARRY POTTER PARENT” by Marilynn Byerly http://readwellthinkwell.wordpress.com/2008/08/09/barack-obama-the-harry-potter-parent/#comment-3 Marilynn Byerly Sun, 10 Aug 2008 19:53:36 +0000 http://readwellthinkwell.wordpress.com/?p=25#comment-3 Christian scholars have been taking a second look at Rowlings' novels, and many like John Granger (LOOKING FOR GOD IN HARRY POTTER) consider the novels powerful Christian allegory and rate them with C.J. Lewis' Narnia novels as the greatest Christian fantasy novels ever written. Some scholars consider these novels "stealth" Christian novels that fly under the radar to deliver the Christian message to children and to lands where it isn't allowed. Some Bible school teachers now use the novels to reach children within their churches. Even without Christian meaning attached, the novels praise friendship, learning, courage, and sacrifice for others, and they encourage nonreaders to read. Like all great book series, the Harry Potter novels can be viewed through many perspectives. One of my best friends is a Wiccan priestess, and she adores the series. Jewish and agnostic friends love it as well. I think the HP series' greatest strength is that it is about good people facing true evil and coming through. That's a universal message few of us find abhorrent. Marilynn Byerly Christian scholars have been taking a second look at Rowlings’ novels, and many like John Granger (LOOKING FOR GOD IN HARRY POTTER) consider the novels powerful Christian allegory and rate them with C.J. Lewis’ Narnia novels as the greatest Christian fantasy novels ever written.

Some scholars consider these novels “stealth” Christian novels that fly under the radar to deliver the Christian message to children and to lands where it isn’t allowed.

Some Bible school teachers now use the novels to reach children within their churches.

Even without Christian meaning attached, the novels praise friendship, learning, courage, and sacrifice for others, and they encourage nonreaders to read.

Like all great book series, the Harry Potter novels can be viewed through many perspectives. One of my best friends is a Wiccan priestess, and she adores the series. Jewish and agnostic friends love it as well. I think the HP series’ greatest strength is that it is about good people facing true evil and coming through. That’s a universal message few of us find abhorrent.

Marilynn Byerly

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