“Animal School” Feedback!
by Ellen C. Braun
Filed under Raising Small Souls Movies
RaisingSmallSouls’ popular movie, “Animal School” has generated a flury of comments. Educators and parents have raved about the moral of the story, and it has inspired many to take a deeper and more individual look at their students and children.
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Click here to read the Animal School Movie Text.
The music is Yellow Flutterby Dreams- http://gbhprod.com/songs
Recently, I’ve been thinking about which type of animal is catered to in a traditional school setting, and I believe it is the sheep. Passive followers do very well in school. ‘Sheep’ do as they are told, never question rules, and consistently follow the directions they are given. That’s not to say that other animals cannot do well in school… they can! Yet, most schools are geared towards the needs and charateristics of the sheep!
A father told me about his two sons, who are as different as night and day. The eleven-year-old is a straight-A model student. On the other hand, the eight-year-old is restless, creative, and entrepreneurial. Since the younger son is “weight-challenged” (is that the current politically-correct way of saying “a little overweight”?) his mother sends him to school with fruits and vegetables as snacks. The family struggles financially, and the child does not bring any money with which to buy snacks. However, at the beginning of recess, the third-grade child asks his teacher for a handfull of plastic cups. He borrows a dollar and finds a child with a 32oz. Snapple, and purchases the drink. Then he pours a bit of the iced-tea into each of his dozen cups, and sells them to his fellow students. He uses his profits to repay the loan and buy the commercialized sugar-and-salt-coated snacks that he craves. At the end of the day, he has had his fill of junk-food and several dollars in profit!
Which child has more “street smarts”? Which child is more likely to succeed in the “real world”? If you own a business, which child would you hire to work as your salesman?
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Hi Ellen,
I’m the parent of a 17-year old “fish”. Before I had the great fortune of becoming his Mom, I was a special educator in the public school system.
First let me thank you for being willing to hear the criticism of the fish slide and then taking it a step further – asking for help on how to “right the wrong” done by the fish slide. I’d be willing to bet that the majority of us responding negatively to this slide didn’t know how wrong it was ourselves before disability became a part of our lives. Only then did we fully understand its misrepresentation of disability and its insidious message about the need for segregation.
My solution for fixing the fish slide? Eliminate it. Our “fish” aren’t “fish” at all! They are the ducks, eagles, kangaroos, polar bears, zebras, and bees…their disability is only one part of who they are. You don’t make a special slide for brunettes, or blue-eyed children, or children with big noses. Those are characteristics. Disability is just one (small) part of who our kids are. It’s a characteristic.
When my 17 year old was diagnosed with a developmental disability, we were told he might never walk or talk. The education specialists recommended, as your fish slide does, that he be placed in separate educational settings so he could learn. We resisted that wisdom (there is no special life!) and treated him like the polar bear that he is. He wasn’t so great in swimming, and flying was a complete wash…but he at least has had opportunity to be exposed to those who swim and fly and knows how to be around them – and they know how to help him out in those situations. He holds his own in climbing, but running! The boy they said might never walk is a Varsity athlete, competing in cross-country and long-distance track events and proudly wearing his letter jacket with two “regional qualifier” patches on the sleeves. The track coach who fought his inclusion on the track team is his greatest fan, and his team-mates look to him to make them train harder because he never quit. In comments to next year’s teachers, his English teacher wrote “Don’t be intimidated by what David can’t do, look at what he can and teach to that…and prepare to be blessed.” My son, the “fish” has made many of those around him – students, teachers, and members of our community – better people for having known him, worked with him, spent time with him. How much would have been lost – not just for David – had we followed the mistaken “wisdom” of the fish slide!
Get rid of the fish slide. Now you’ve got a great presentation!
Thanks–
Laura
The link to this movie was forwarded to me from a friend, and I have watched it again and again with tears in my eyes, I am a home educating mom to an eagle/kangaroo cross we are part of a network of home educators here in the Lake District UK. As I look around the group of children we see I can recognise a whole ark of animals who are thriving because we are able to recognise then for the individuals they are. Sometimes life is not always easy as the daily challenges of each little one get us down but I think of this movie and my grimace becomes a smile and I remember just how special each one is. Thank you for this,we have circulated the www. address around the group and all love it. Please hurry and make it downloadable so we can continue to show it to everyone who meets us in the supermarket and asks us why our children are not in school!
This is a beautiful of work except I totally disagree about the fish. Special education is a service not a place. All children belong together and it is never OK to seperate them. The others have never seen him because they have not been allowed to…when the fish is allowed to be around the others, then everyone can see that the fish is just another being with it’s own unique contributions to the world. It TAKES all kinds.
I can’t believe how many people misunderstood the fishes purpose. How many of these children go to school and are set up for failure because their parents push them into classrooms where everything from schoolwork to behavior is based on the majority and their children are suffering because they don’t want their children to be labeled. My brothers child is one of these such children, they said he wouldn’t talk, but under special teaching in his “special class” he’s blossomed, he can walk, use sign language, talk and he blesses everyone that comes around him.
My own children are eagles, it’s painful to see how they’re treated simply because they fail to meet the expectations of a basic classroom experience.
On just one further note, it’s a lot easier to come to a website and blast away in anger, in disgust, in some other emotional tantrum than it is to do so face to face with the person you’re so upset with.
Parenting is a passionate issue, parents who has developmentally delayed children are already fighting an upstream battle for the good of their children, to find them in the right place, but I agree, is this the place to fight? Is this the place to expend energy? Is attempting to shame, guilt, harrass this woman into changing her movie that much of an accomplishment.
And then when that tactic doesn’t work we criticize her taking full credit as being decieving and not truthful.
As parents aren’t we also to teach our children kindness, forgiveness, grace and love for everyone? Shouldn’t that start by us as parents modeling it with how we interact with others?
Remember we’re all going to be passionate about our children, that doesn’t give us full rights to do harm with our words to other people. Especially when nobody went out of there way here to do harm to our children.
I guess I never thought of the fish slide as meaning ‘segregation’. And I considered that all the animals potentially could have some disability or another.
In my mind the fish never signified everyone who has a disability. Rather, I thought of all the slides as representing all of us in our perceived imperfection, actually being perfect in our own way.
For that, I genuinely appreciate the work and considerable expense that you must have put into the movie that you share with everyone at no cost Ellen. Thank you.
It’s interesting to see how that one slide really hit a sore spot for some of the Moms visiting here. It brings to light a parenting subject that really does need to be talked about, shared and explored. Maybe you can make a place on raisingsmallsouls where we can do this Ellen?
I don’t think that the movie would lose it’s effectiveness if you deleted the fish part. What do other people think? The main objective and intention of the story certainly wasn’t segregation so if that is how it’s perceived it’s worth re-thinking.
As they say, “It takes a village to raise a child” This conversation is truly inspiring in that we can discuss common concerns for our children’s well-being and come out of it with more compassion and understanding for eachother. That is how communities grow.
Great emotional message for a point of few best expressed in John Taylor Gatto’s books. Compulsatory schooling is a injustice to our country. The people “offended” by the fish story are not in touch with reality. “Regular” teachers are not equipted to help “special” students. In my case, having 8 Sped kids with 8 different needs, is something that I can not handle effectively. I cheat 85% of my kids of the full education. That is reality, anyone saying anythings different is lying to themselves.
Remove the fish slide!!! “The fish is a child who really requires full special education and should not be in the regular classroom.” — WHAT!?!? I join the voices of many who have already commented about the injustice of the fish concept.
Separation of ANY child is segregation and discrimination! THERE IS NO CHILD ON THE PLANET WHO SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A “FISH”. My child with a disability has the same right to be a member of community, including in school, as her two sisters, her friends, her family, and even you, Ms. Braun.
Until we have a culture that truly appreciates multiple intelligences, and we really begin to VALUE differences in our children (the true message of this story) the sad truth is that everyone loses, regardless of the label they experience, be it zebra, kangaroo, eagle, bear, fish or billygoat for that matter. Even those who label themselves “teacher” (as #83 above has) lose out on important relationships and learning opportunities when ALL children are not given the chance to be fully participating members of our communities, including our schools.
This film touched me in a much different way. I saw the fish as a “gifted” student with a high IQ who was bored with her lesser counterparts.
Two years ago, I had a conference with two of my daughter’s teachers and the school counselor about her education.
Every since my child was 2 or 3, she’s been facinated with numbers and science. At 9, she was helping her older siblings with algebra and by 11 she was helping her brother in college calculus. Beyond balancing her school works, she also loves classical piano and has won a number of local and state competitions.
The “meeting” her teachers had with me was very upsetting. They were suggesting that I consider a private school that could cater to my daughter’s advanced scholastic needs. Just because she was “gifted” (I hate that word!), they wanted to “get rid her”.
Molly’s math teacher was concerned because she couldn’t challenge Molly with the regular class material and that she was continually being picked on by other kids as a “geek”. She had quit answering questions in class and routinely said she “forgot” her homework in class, only to drop it off later when none of her classmates were around. She even refused to play at the school recitals and talent show anymore.
My husband and I talked about it and decided that it was better for Molly to endure a little social alientation than be permanently exiled to some “smart kid” school where only geeks attend.
After two years, things are so much better. We got Molly to give up that damn piano and got her to join the cheerleading squad. We’ve limited studying to only 30 minutes a day and forbade her from helping any of her siblings or friends with their math homework.
The best part – she’s quit talking about college anymore (that’ll save a ton of money) and is looking forward to a career at the local nail salon. She dating a nice boy now, so maybe she’ll get knocked up soon and get married at 18 like I did.
– I so agree. Why should my kid receive special treatment just for being smart? There’s enough smart people around already…
Teacher if you are a regular education teacher and have 8 special needs kids, then your classroom is overpopulated. I have seen this happen many times–it shows you’re a good teacher or perhaps that your school district abuses you, but it is not fair to you or the children. The latest census says about 20% of population has a disability (I think 100%) and 12% has severe disability. Your classroom should consist of no more than 12% of children with a disability. Look to your administrators and education agencies to blame, not parents. Why is it our children can function in the world, but not school? Regular education teachers are supposed to teach children. period. Unfortunately that is not the ethical standard, so there is a law that requires public education agencies to educate all children. That is reality. We are all teachers, we are all learners. That is reality. Granted I am not good at math, but I calculate you should have about 65 kids in your class if 8 are special needs…Don’t blame the parents. Our children have as much right to an education as any other child–an education is just as important to one child as it is to another. That is reality. Everyone has the right to learn to read. That is reality. No-one has a right to segregate in the name of making it easier for the system. That is the law.
I was one of the first people to post on this feedback thread (#5), and I am really shocked by some of the comments I’ve read here. Do you really think this movie is advocating segregation? C’mon, that just being silly isn’t it?
From my interpretation, the movie is clearly not advocating the segregation of children with physically disabilities. All reasonable people agree that kids with physical disabilities should absolutely be in classrooms right along side everyone else. If they need a ramp – don’t bitch – start pouring the concrete.
However, desegregating children with mentally disabilities is another matter entirely. I can’t believe anybody with any love for their child would advocate placing a mentally-challenged child into a “regular” classroom (whatever that is), with no attempt to address their special needs.
Do you think kids are placed in special-education classes just so they can be discriminated against? Just because they make the other kids feel uncomfortable? Maybe it’s because special-education classes can provide known techniques and strategies that can actually be beneficial. It’s all about matching a child with the best way to teach that child – who could be against that?
If you went to China to study abroad and you didn’t speak the language, would they be discriminating against you by requiring you take a year of Chinese first. Does it makes sense to sit through “normal” classes in Chinese if you don’t understand the language? Who’s that helpin’? You lose out, the teacher loses out and so do all the other kids in the class.
Go back and read the original post about my brother. Tell me how “segregated” classes help him. Tell me how being called “stupid”, “dumb”, “moron” and “slow” helped him in anyway. Tell me how getting his self-worth bashed with a shovel everyday at school, day after day, created a “healthy” kid and a “healthy” desegregated society. I don’t see the point of subjecting a kid to a desegregated classroom if their self-esteem gets shot-to-hell in the process…kinda of a “win the battle, lose the war” scenario.
Kirk:
crimes against children are never OK.
That is what some of us are so vehemently defending here Kirk–people like your brother. I have a son like you. It kills him when someone makes fun of his brother, even though his brother usually irritates the #$%^ out of him…it kills him.
He can’t protect him though.
Disability is a natural part of life. Everybody’s got one. Yes, everybody. And the law that protects a child’s educational rights says that “special education is a service, not a place.” That is how it supposed to be set up. It is also supposed to address their special needs (but frequently does not)
Yes, it is discrimination.
I don’t find they make the other kids feel uncomfortable but at first they may make the teacher feel uncomfortable. If the teacher never gets over it, the class will follow suit. If the teacher is accepting and expectant of the child, RESEARCH SHOWS everyone benefits. EVERYone.
Your analogy of China and normal aren’t really on target either-apples and oranges.
Research proves that everyone learns more when everyone learns together. Tolerance is another benefit–something the world needs much more of, no?
What happened to your brother was a crime. It should never happen to another child, but it happens everyday. When everyone learns together and sees that we all have different things we need to learn and when everyone sees that everyone can learn, I think, the world will be a better place.
Sounds like you have made a wonderful case for HOMESCHOOLING! Thank you. It helped me to remember why I do what I do. My children have been to public school and we have delt with many of the things this movie mentions. I am so grateful everyday that my children will never have to go through this again.
My first encounter with the content of the slide show came from a document called “A Fable for School People” by George H. Reavis, which I was fortunate to received as an educator about ten years ago. I didn’t see his name attached to the slide show and wondered if he has been recognized or consulted? I know the creators of the slide show are aware of this document, because some of the wording used is identical to those written by George Reavis. However, the content has been extended, rather beautifully in my opinion.
I absolutely loved the movie. What great analogies! Moving and thought provoking.
I have 3 children. I recently decided to pull them from school and homeschool them — when my oldest came home and told me that a teacher said to him – You are one of the reasons I am retiring.” Now mind you, he was never into “trouble” and an A – B student, it was just that he would quickly finish his classwork then would move around or want to talk and the teacher called it disruptive and a nuisance – yea maybe, but you would think she would know normal childhood behavior – he was only 9. All I know was that my son’s spirit was crushed and on top of it all it was from one of his favorite teachers. After I spoke with her about the situation (and writing a letter to the principal) – she did apologize to my son but the damage had already been done. I had to begin to repair his spirit. Each time he did something wrong (whether intentionaly or unintentional), he would put himself down with negative words (ie. Im stupid, I can’t do anything right, etc). Needless to say, that crushed my heart. I never used words like that – where was this coming from. After much talking and having “table” discussions, he shared with me that his teacher would say other mean things like – stop working so fast your going make the other children hate you; just because you get good grades doesn’t make you the smartest, you need to work harder – your not making it, stop being foolish, etc. All that I had been teaching my child at home was being smothered by this teacher. I didn’t think I would be going through this because I tried to keep it positive even when mistakes where made (my example was – let this be lesson for the next time). I understand we can’t protect them from somethings that people say and that most teachers are not like this, but coming from “positive” influences such as a teacher is unacceptable. After much reconditioning of his mind, he began to see himself as he was – a young boy with ALOT of potential. He knows he has to work hard and has to set goals. He knows that he’s not perfect but has a good heart and when he works hard he will see the fruit of his labor. What he thought of himself was important and that no one should take that away. I know homeschooling is not for everyone but ONE THING IS – POSITIVE WORDS AND REINFORCEMENT!!! We ALL make mistakes and need a little encouragement from time to time. What we think of ourselves is what we become. I know at least one of each animal in this story and I can say with certainty, that positive reinforcement, a little patience, alot of love and “being there” when they are down – goes a LLLLLOOOONNNNGGGGG way. Stay positive with your words because WORDS DO HURT!!
Peace – Rosie
Well, be at peace. If you feel that your child does belong in the school classroom, your child is not a fish and that slide is not talking about your child.
If the shoe does not fit, please don’t squeeze your child’s foot into it and then complain that it hurts her. And if the shoe does not fit her, please don’t insist that the shopkeeper throw it away.
Let’s not overgeneralize and say that absolutely every child ever born belongs in the classroom.
Many of us are very happy to say that we, or our children, are fish and did/do not belong in a regular classroom.
Any child who does not belong in a regular classroom could be considered a fish. This does *not* imply any disability on the part of the fish, simply a mismatch of environment.
Thomas Edison was one of these. He was in school for less than one month total before he began to enjoy the full special education which he needed (at home with his mother).
Thanks.
The movie reminded me of an incident I had forgotten, where my young son, very good at math, was marked down in class for not providing estimates as answers to math problems as requested. Instead, because math is so easy for him, he knew the answers without having to think about them, and just gave the correct answers. He would have had to think about the problem in a much different way, just to come up with what in his eyes was the wrong answer. He saw no sense in this. But he was scored poorly on this test anyway – his teacher never figured out that it wasn’t that he did not know how to estimate answers (give him a big enough number problem where it makes sense for him to estimate and he will happily do it) – it was simply easier for him to give the correct answer. He later wanted me to explain to him why he is always being punished for being good at math, and that maybe he should try to be good at something else instead. Needless to say, we have had long “heart to hearts” about this and other issues, but if I had never seen the test paper, I would never have known this had happened to him. (He is 7 years old, by the way…)Looks like a long road ahead…I, too, sobbed thru the “Animal School”…it breaks my heart to see these beautiful souls being forced to conform…thank goodness for those beautiful teachers out there who understand and try to make a difference!
I homeschool because my first was a zebra. We took her out of school in 2nd grade. My second has ADHD, with traits consistant with the duck, the polar bear, and the squirrel. She’s doing 3rd grade math, and kindergarten reading. She does her best work after 5pm and approaches problems backwards. (I have been letting her!)
The ‘short’ movie lasted 33 minutes because I have dialup. Actually, I cut it off before it finished. Is the text available without the bps sucking music and graphics? I teach a class for parents who want to homeschool, and this would be great for illustrating different learning styles.
Thank-you
I’ve worked within Special Education for 26 years and have fought to make other educators and even parents truly believe “All Children Can Learn”! Your video relates this belief in a wonderful way that anyone can relate to and see. Thank you!
Thank you for this film. I see a lot of different animals in my child. He is a fish, too, that we are desperately trying to keep from being a kangaroo.
I do not see the fish as being segregated. He has specific needs just as all the other creatures do. Some are freshwater, some saltwater. Some live in rivers, some in deep sea. Some of the other creatures would not fare so well in the fish’s world either. Imagine a squirell living underwater and thriving.
As to the disability issues, if I could take my child out of the his current mainstreamed placement and have him attend an appropriate private LD school He would THRIVE and I would not for a minute think of it as segregration. It would be a blessing.
The “fish” should not be forced into a classroom where the teachers don’t have a clue about how to meet his needs. And as a parent whose sensory issues and social inadequacies made the school environment very difficult and as the mother of a son with HFA I don’t accept the notion that he must be in a mainstream class and suffer psychologically and academically so “others” can learn from him or have a teacher who reads a pamphlet on autism and is now supposed to be an “expert” at meeting his needs. And the video does not suggest that anyone with unique needs must be excluded from the classroom – only that there are students who would truly benefit from a classroom tailored to THEIR needs. Not tailoring the child to the needs of the classroom. LRE does not mean mainstream classroom – it means what it says it means – LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT. Unfortuneately there are those who ONLY think that means mainstream class no matter how much the child is forced to adapt to that classroom.
Ellen
The film is beautiful, Thank You. My boy is a bee and I am very proud of him.
Beautiful and inspiring! We have 3 children and we’ve chosen to be a Homeschooling family for the past 4 years now and are looking forward to everyday.
This film says it all. I wish I could show it to every person who asks what “the reason” was that we decided to Homeschool our children. It’s impossible to put it into a word or a short explanation. I just so much believe in every child being treated as a unique individual and having the freedom to learn in a way that is best for each of them.
I showed this to my husband and children and I still get the chills each time I see it!
Thank you so much!
Ellen, even with all the controversy over the infamous “fish slide,” so many people appreciate and laud the effort you have made to share this special movie. Many of us do see your heart for children and don’t get sidetracked from your original intent by our own personal agendas or viewpoints. Great work…I don’t care who wrote it…thank you for getting it out there.
The text of the film and the vehemence of some of the education-related comments just reminds me that the only reason I am doing what I am doing (parenting with intent, sometimes known as “homeschooling”) is because I want to make learning a fun, uplifting experience. I want to cater to the specific needs of each of my children. I want to help each child soar with his/strengths, not get bogged down with so-called weaknesses. I want to spend individual time imparting wisdom, encouragement and hope to help each of my children build their futures. Ellen, you reminded me of all these goals in such a timely way.
For all of you who have your children in public school and/or special programs, the school system is understaffed, and overwrought. It is difficult for such a system to adequately meet the special and wonderful needs of any of our children. We, as our child’s best advocate, can impart everything he needs to succeed and thrive. Patience, self-control, the ability to manage anger, an intrinsic sense of being valued and esteemed…these are skills and abilities best taught and practiced at home. Then they can be practically and successfully applied in the school, work or life setting without unmitigated damage being done in the process.
I am so sorry so many parents and children have been wounded by insensitive teachers/students, or an uncaring or unresponsive school system or society. The pain is incredibly apparent. So many parents have been made to feel inadequate by the “experts.” That is in addition to the “Mommy guilt” most of us naturally feel. I believe that each of our children were given to us to raise to adulthood for an amazing reason…we were the best qualified and equipped to do the job. It’s not the school’s job to parent my child. It’s a job I take very seriously. I’m glad of the resources available to me to glean just what I need, when I need it. I can use all the help I can get.
Thank you, Ellen. It takes courage to do what you believe in. I wouldn’t change the film at all. You expressed your viewpoint and graciously provided us a forum to express ours.
Now, we need to move on. To other forums if the need arises. I don’t think think is a “hot topics for debate” blog. I look forward to being encouraged and inspired by your work to come.
I too was in tears over this movie…but I have to also agree with David F, the 16 year old…the words go by a bit fast at times…
I see my son, 16 today, in all of the animals…he was diagnosed with ADHD at around 8 years of age, and just recently, with BiPolar…the school does not understand nor do they seem willing to understand…
They do not see my son’s creative and passionate side…he can write, he is a published poet…he can draw…he is sensitive…I had a son that was stillborn 2 years before my son was born…when we were designing his class ring online this past fall, he said he wanted ths initials on the ring to be KB…I asked why that when it was not his initials…he said, “I want Kody’s initials on my ring because he will never get to wear one for himself.”
We currently have an attorney working wiht us to get the school to work with my son…but it should have never gotten this far…any “good teacher” would do what I need to ask for in a 504 or IEP…
Thank you…BTW…I did send this to a few of the teachers, and our PTO is going to do seminars athis next year on things like ADHD, BiPolar, Autism, Dyslexia, “Kids-At-Risk”, etc…we would love to use this video as something to be playing over and over while people are coming in, and when we get ready for the seminars to begin…
Tambrey
TY for a wonderful film. It celebrates the wonderful, lush, colorful differences our creator makes in each individual of what we call the human race. Now if we could just extend the effort to work with these differences in patience and humility. My children range from 29 and 23 (public school) to 8 (homeschooled). How the world has changed. Looking at our youngest son’s makeup of gifts, “lag behind” areas, and overdrive energy we homeschooled. One key concern was that he would be given the express ticket to medication and many visits to the detention while not being allowed to go at his pace… ahead or behind. My gut tells me that 1/3 of our little boys were not created to need medication. The day may come when he does need medication of some sort and we will provide for that. PLEASE hear this from one who has gone the distance and has hindsight. My oldest at 8 was medicated (for another condition). We had two very unhappy years in school and home before we took her off the medication. It took a while for her to recover her confidence. Ultimately, it’s been found that this drug was ineffective and the dose she was put on would level an adult! At 8 she did not have the skills to express to her parents or her doctor what the side effects were doing to her! THIS GIVES ME PAUSE to consider how we will deal with our son. He’s exhausting and delightful at the same time. I see him becoming a mover and a shaker as an adult with optimism that never quits.
PS – This film is not just describing children. Next time some adult rubs us the wrong way….. remember we’re all different animals.
I’m truly inspired by this movie and feel I should watch it every moring before our school starts.
I forwarded it to my 10 year old daughter and this is what she e-mailed back to me, mind you, she’s not the sentimental type. “That was very pretty, It made me smile a whole lot and I appreciate you even more then I just did!” Now, that was nice.
I loved the movie and the message. I don’t feel he fish’s need for “special education” has to mean that the child who is like the fish is necessarily disabled in any way.
In fact, when I first saw the fish, I thought of all the “gifted” students who do not need to be taught the same old stuff and would thrive in a “special ed.” class. Special because it would cater to what that child needs and in a manner that that child could actually learn and not become bored.
What is so great about being in a “regular” class that makes the last two people to respond so angry about the fish?
I think trying to lump everyone together doen’t work either.
I cried watching this movie. As it moved through each animal, I was reminded yet again of the many reasons why I decided to homeschool my son: so he wouldn’t become a sheep, wouldn’t get in trouble all the time for doing things the way it made sense to him, but not to the teachers. I wouldn’t give up for homeschool for anything, knowing that I am guiding my son to the good life, without as many distracting voices as would be the case if he were in public/private school.
animal schol is a wonderful insight for those who sometimes seem to doubt the wonderfulness that is our children! I am a home educating parent of 4 totally individual little creatures and think they are fantastic, I will be showing animal school to the Grandparents and anyone out there who evers questions “how are the chldren doing??”
Loretta
Loretta, good point about showing the grandparents. I think I’ll have to forward the link to my mother. She’s mostly unsupportive of homeschool, although most of her worries are about inane things, like “Will he be able to go to a prom?” (This about a 7.5yr old lol)
I absolutely loved the movie. We are all very unique and should rejoice in our differences. I have 4 children and each is very intelligent in their own way. It would be a very boring world if we were all the same. I loved the scenery in the movie. It was very calming and peaceful. This movie should be viewed by all educators. I know it would open alot of eyes.
Thank you all for your comments; it’s easy to read the sincerity within each word you have posted.
I like the analogy of the fish being an intelligent child who is bored. We’re probably all using Windows on our computers right now… we all know that Bill Gates dropped out of college, very likely because ‘he was bored’! Could Mr. Gates personify a fish? I believe so!
Thankfully, I did fairly well in school as a child. However, I I wonder what would have happened to me if music had been a required class. I’m at the tone-deaf end of the spectrum regarding musical ability;) In fact, I asked my husband to help me choose the music for the Animal School movie, as I did not trust myself! If I had had to take music classes as a child- there is no question in my mind- I’d have been a very discouraged squirrel!
Beautiful film. My only request to the creators is to include female animals. It was depressing to read “he” screen after screen. This is the only thing holding me back from recommending this widely, which I strongly desire to do because it conveys a message we all deeply need to hear, and in such a magnificent, artistic and natural way.
Thanks for creating and sharing this film. I hope you can let me know what you think of my suggestion.
Aravinda
I liked your stories they are insightful, however we need all kinds the sheeps bees and all. While being street smart is good a person who can take instructions understand and fuction is also good. We cant have a world of street smarts as it is a have cut throats all over. While we nuture are our unique ones we should not make are”normal” one’s look stupid.May be its the Sheep who will get into social service and freely give others just to make the world a better place. I have nothing against the lil business man kudos to him!