Former Prime Ministers are no strangers to book launches.
They’d turn up at the opening of an envelope, really. But the books are usually political affairs commenting on the failings or achievements of a party, or if you’re Kevin Rudd, your own daughter’s fiction.
But this week John Howard, who served as Prime Minister for 11 years, launched a book called ‘How to Get Expelled from School’ written by a geologist who doesn’t believe humans are responsible for climate change. The book includes a chapter which provides kids with a list of questions they should ask, to frustrate their science teachers.
Here’s how news.com.au reported it:
“Climate change sceptic Ian Plimer’s book “How to Get Expelled from School: A Guide to Climate Change for Pupils, Parents and Punters” arms children with 101 questions to challenge their teachers.
It has been billed as an “anti-warmist manual for the younger reader”.
Mr Howard attacked the one-sided teaching of climate change in schools.
“People ought to be worried about what their children are being taught at school,” he said.
“It’s a matter of real concern”.
The 250 page book includes a list of questions created to embarrass unprepared teachers. Wow indeed.
So, over to you, what do you make of this?
It's Been A Week, This Will Destress Your Brain
The Quicky
Honestly, The Times We've Considered Leaving The Podcast
Mamamia Out Loud17-Year-Old Fletcher Crowley Became Paraplegic Six Months Ago
No Filter
Top Comments
I am currently programming for my subjects next year. I am just about to put together what I will teach Year 8 Geography for the unit entitled Global Issues and the Role of Citizenship; climate change is one of 10 issues the students study.
I use an inquiry approach with my students, that is, we pose questions about the topic and then pursue the answers, as a class, through a variety of methods, including student research.
If you download the Years 7-10 Geography Syllabus from the Board of Studies website, right there on page 33, you will find that students must learn about "different perspectives relevant to the issue". Students are required to learn to "identify perspectives and bias about the issue, including in media reports". And that is exactly what my Year 8s will be doing in Term 2 next year.
I hope that allays the fears of many parents on both sides of the debate.
Finally, this book has long been needed. Science doesn't lie, considering a great deal of science is based on theories, maybe it does.
Lucindainthesky - The only point you made that is agreeable would be the environmental activism is fed into our children remark. If you are unable to see how "our curriculum is based on left wing crap" then I would suggest you have a child and put them into the education system.
Just last year I had a child that was made do an assignment on ramadan as it was Christmas time and "balance was needed". Mecca is not in Australia and not one other child in the class was Islamic. If that doesn't smack of "left wing crap" then what would you call it? I have another child with which the teacher made the whole class write a protest letter to Howard (back in the good days) to ask him to end logging. Only one side of the debate was taught and this has to be considered brainwashing.
Santa may just have to put this book in the stocking.
"considering a great deal of science is based on theories"
Like the 'theory' of gravitation?
uh... that would be the LAW of gravity. Ever heard of the "Theory of relativity" or the "Theory of evolution"?
Whats wrong with learning about Ramadan?! The teacher wasn't trying to convert your child, just educate them about another culture so that they (hopefully) end up tolerant of others...
Has Bethlehem moved to Australia?