vxbush 1/12/2021 5:14:43 AM

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PaladinPhil 1/12/2021 5:32:19 AM

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lucius septimius 1/12/2021 6:20:21 AM

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Reply to vxbush in 1: 

Tuesday is just Monday without the novelty or thrills.

PaladinPhil 1/12/2021 6:54:59 AM

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JCM 1/12/2021 7:49:05 AM

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Reply to PaladinPhil in 4:

Tell the teacher she's not being engaging enough to retain Squires attention.

My experience in all this very few teachers have the skill set to teach online. Few have the skills to teach. Oh, they have certificate saying they have a degree in education, but almost none of them I've come across are actually skilled in the subject matter they teach.

Occasional Reader 1/12/2021 8:37:10 AM

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In #2 PaladinPhil said: Signed up for Proton Email

That's something I've been meaning to do for a while.  What's your first impression? 

Occasional Reader 1/12/2021 8:39:27 AM

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In #4 PaladinPhil said: Tried the online school again with a bit better result than yesterday. He lasted a whole two minutes before running away.

It's been a challenge with Litlte OR, too (although not quite as much as with the Squire, it appears).  Frankly, *I* have enough trouble sitting still for a three-hour video call... and I'm (putatively) a grownup... 

Occasional Reader 1/12/2021 8:59:48 AM

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PaladinPhil 1/12/2021 9:04:38 AM

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In #6 Occasional Reader said: That's something I've been meaning to do for a while.  What's your first impression? 

The free version is rather "bare". Other than that looks good. Different levels of paid versions afford even more security and encryption.

PaladinPhil 1/12/2021 9:08:44 AM

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Reply to JCM in 5:

I moved my laptop from the office to dining room. It helped a bit for one program. Keeping him motionless for anything like this is a real challenge. I do have to say that talking with the teacher was setting off a lot of alarm bells in my head for some reason.

Occasional Reader 1/12/2021 9:11:06 AM

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In #9 PaladinPhil said: The free version is rather "bare". Other than that looks good. Different levels of paid versions afford even more security and encryption.

I recall when I looked at it, making the decision that at least the entry-level paid version was worth it, figuring  "you get what you pay for". 

JCM 1/12/2021 9:18:41 AM

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Reply to PaladinPhil in 10:

Fidget items are good. Spinners, squishies, anything to manipulate while in class. Try background music, instrumental, classical. The thing is to occupy part of the brain so the other part can focus.

Letting him fidget is a good thing, if the teacher doesn't get then mansplain it to them.

Occasional Reader 1/12/2021 9:18:47 AM

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Reply to PaladinPhil in 2:

Perhaps some good news on this front:

The guy who built the internet is building a "new internet", one where you control your data 

doppelganglander 1/12/2021 9:18:51 AM

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Reply to PaladinPhil in 4:

I really feel for you in an impossible situation. The problem is not the Squire, or even the teacher. Online learning is unsuitable for young children other than some learning games or math drills for a few minutes a day. Remember a year ago when we were told too much screen time is bad for kids? It still is.

You might find it's a better use of time to find ways to meet his learning goals by devising your own hands-on methods. If it's recognizing letters, get some magnetic letters for the fridge or a metal board. With math, he can learn to count with blocks, bottle caps, or whatever you have around the house. The teacher can watch him do it on Zoom. 

Occasional Reader 1/12/2021 9:20:10 AM

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In #12 JCM said: Fidget items are good.

Agreed, I've worked out a deal with Little OR that he can have exactly one item to keep his hands busy while online in class; I do have to "ride herd" over him, though, and redirect him back to class from time to time.   It's hell when I'm trying to do work calls myself at the same time, needless to say.

Occasional Reader 1/12/2021 9:21:38 AM

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In #14 doppelganglander said: magnetic letters for the fridge

Fridge letters/numbers are da bomb.  Little OR has loved using them since he was about two, and I am sure it made a big difference. 

doppelganglander 1/12/2021 9:23:51 AM

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In #10 PaladinPhil said: I do have to say that talking with the teacher was setting off a lot of alarm bells in my head for some reason.

Listen to your gut. How well does she know the Squire? Does she have unrealistic expectations based on his developmental level? You're the expert on your child. The teacher should be working with you to find the best way for him as an individual to learn. I understand that's unlikely depending on the size of the group but she should try.

Occasional Reader 1/12/2021 9:23:58 AM

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In #13 Occasional Reader said: The guy who built the internet is building a "new internet", one where you control your data 

Tim Berners-Lee didn’t kill himself.

/just getting out ahead on this

doppelganglander 1/12/2021 9:27:52 AM

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Reply to Occasional Reader in 16:

My kids did too. It kept them occupied while I was cooking and we could talk about what sound a B makes or spell simple words. I also turned unloading the dishwasher into a sorting and counting game. 

JCM 1/12/2021 9:34:06 AM

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Reply to JCM in 12:

Sitting on a balance ball, or standing on a balance board, things like that. If you can't get them put a cutting board on a roll of paper towels and have him stand on it during class.

Occasional Reader 1/12/2021 9:46:38 AM

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Reply to doppelganglander in 19:

Little OR moment from a few days ago:

He was describing to me (based on his having seen a video about it, filtered through a five year-old's understanding) how a neutron star is formed.

He patiently added, "but first, we have to understand the laws of quantum physics." 

Well, of course. 

JCM 1/12/2021 9:47:53 AM

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Reply to JCM in 20:

Very short term rewards for behaviors you like. Small things, a few M&Ms or stickers, small toys that come in a bag at the dollar store. He sticks with it for even a minute he gets something. As he learns longer periods.

Occasional Reader 1/12/2021 9:49:39 AM

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Wow.

Shocking statements from Joe Biden's pick to head the Civli Rights division at DOJ.

She's a crazed, Black Supremacist racist, full stop.  Oh, and she's also cozy with rabid Jew-haters... surprise surprise. 

President Unity, in action. 

JCM 1/12/2021 9:58:49 AM

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Reply to Occasional Reader in 23:

I can only shake my head....

doppelganglander 1/12/2021 10:27:16 AM

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Reply to Occasional Reader in 21:

I'll need him to explain it to me I guess.

JCM 1/12/2021 10:42:37 AM

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Reply to doppelganglander in 25:

Quantum? Well you see there is this cat... a box... some strings and well other stuff!

buzzsawmonkey 1/12/2021 10:58:41 AM

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Reply to Occasional Reader in 23:

I'd never heard of this thankfully-now-dead Tony Martin she seems to idolize.  What a piece of work he was, and she is.

Kosh's Shadow 1/12/2021 11:03:43 AM

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Reply to JCM in 26:

Don't have time for a detailed explanation, but details of neutron star formation and structure depend on not just "classical" quantum mechanics, but the gravitational force is high enough relativistic effects come in - but since that is due to gravity, we need a quantum theory of gravity, which we don't have. General relativity is "classical" in that motion and variables are continuous, not discrete.

Neutron stars also require a good understanding of QCD - Quantum Chromodynamics, which describes quarks, gluons, and the particles they comprise (neutrons, protons, and heavier particles)

There are a few places where very small differences in constants could make a big difference in neutron star structure.

Also, we don't understand well enough what happens when a star explodes in a supernova, which is what produces neutron stars and some black holes

Occasional Reader 1/12/2021 11:26:44 AM

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Reply to Kosh's Shadow in 28:

You totally stole all that from my son.

/

JCM 1/12/2021 11:32:30 AM

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vxbush 1/12/2021 11:38:21 AM

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In #29 Occasional Reader said: You totally stole all that from my son.

I'm reminded of George Jetson's son doing something-something calculus at the age of what, 5? Sure. Just show me the math, son. 

Occasional Reader 1/12/2021 12:30:19 PM

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In #31 vxbush said: I'm reminded of George Jetson's son doing something-something calculus at the age of what, 5? Sure. Just show me the math, son. 

I don't recall that one.

Soooo, to be clear, I am not claiming that my 5 year-old son actually understands quantum physics... 

JCM 1/12/2021 12:48:51 PM

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Reply to Occasional Reader in 32:

Well then, he has something in common with quantum physicists.

;-P

Kosh's Shadow 1/12/2021 1:09:49 PM

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Reply to Occasional Reader in 32:

Look for the 1943 short story "And Mimsy were the Borogroves" (Not the stupid movie made from it recently)

buzzsawmonkey 1/12/2021 1:16:54 PM

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Reply to Kosh's Shadow in 34:

Mimsy Borogrove?  I think I took her to a high school dance...

Kosh's Shadow 1/12/2021 1:20:03 PM

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In #35 buzzsawmonkey said: Mimsy Borogrove?  I think I took her to a high school dance...

And you had to face Mom's wrath outgrabe

vxbush 1/12/2021 1:39:27 PM

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In #32 Occasional Reader said: Soooo, to be clear, I am not claiming that my 5 year-old son actually understands quantum physics... 

No, but is he watching the Flintstones during school? 

(This seems too close to reality now.)

lucius septimius 1/12/2021 1:50:04 PM

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JCM 1/12/2021 2:02:42 PM

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Reply to lucius septimius in 38:

Well that's offensive!

/

Kosh's Shadow 1/12/2021 2:14:54 PM

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In #36 Kosh's Shadow said: In #35 buzzsawmonkey said: Mimsy Borogrove?  I think I took her to a high school dance... And you had to face Mom's wrath outgrabe

No one caught the reference? (link)

vxbush 1/12/2021 2:25:59 PM

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In #40 Kosh's Shadow said: No one caught the reference? (link)

Oh, I caught the reference, but I was still sidetracked trying to see if I remembered correctly about Elroy Jetson or not. 

Kosh's Shadow 1/12/2021 2:29:55 PM

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Reply to vxbush in 41:

For a while, a local car dealer had an ad based on the Jetsons opening - he was driving his wife and kids places, and at the end he took money out of his wallet to give his wife and she took the wallet.

(It cut before he got pulled over for driving without a license/////)