First Day School - Keepin' it Simple

So we *did* discuss simple living. The kids already knew a whole lot about the Amish. We also talked about simple clothes, the Quaker Oats guy, and also how the Shakers lived more simply by inventing labor-saving devices. We got out a big roll of paper, and the kids drew pictures of their ideas for living simply. The Shakers would have been happy with most of the ideas; the Amish not so much. "Have Robots Do Everything"; "Electric Trees" that grow and harvest apples. And "Sleep All Day", which definitely would make life simple.

First Day School

I'm teaching First Day School (that's Sunday School, to you non-Quakers) and I'm having a hard time thinking of something that will keep the kids' interest. I started out thinking of teaching about "Leadings", we have a curriculum book with material on that, but I don't think our kids will be able to relate to it.

I may teach about Simple Living, instead. We can think of ideas to make life simpler. I could discuss the Amish, and why they don't use electricity or cars.

A Course in Nonviolence

Colman McCarthy has a great Course in Nonviolence.

Another Miyazaki post...

This is threatening to turn into the Miyazaki Blog, but today's
New York Times has a very interesting review of his new movie, "Howl's Moving Castle". I was especially struck by his judgement of mainstream movies:

"The concept of portraying evil and then destroying it - I know this is considered mainstream, but I think it's rotten," he said. "This idea that whenever something evil happens someone particular can be blamed and punished for it, in life and in politics, it's hopeless."

Here's the link (free registration required):
Where the Wild Things Are: The Hiyazaki Menagerie

Gene Sharp and nonviolence

Gene Sharp does research on nonviolent resistance, and recently I saw a claim that a pamphlet of his played a large role in recent civil resistance to tyranny in former Soviet states.