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How Finland Created the Best Educational System in the World

September 5, 2018
https://www.facebook.com/BeRemarkable2/videos/197990900710284/

What comes to mind when you hear the words ‘Standardized Testing’?

Perhaps an image of children being shuffled down a conveyor belt in a factory, one after the other, perfectly the same. No differences, no unique characteristics or fresh ideas.  Simply cardboard cutouts, coming down the line, each with the same nose, the same eyes, the same mouth and sadly, the same minds.

Although a little dramatized, essentially, that is what these ‘Standardized Tests’ are aiming to create in the United States. However, just like Einstein said, “Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

How on earth can all of these little personalities, quirks, and talents be shoved into one multiple choice test? How can a child who sings like Whitney Houston and another child who dances like Michael Jackson, be scored equally on the same test? Especially considering that one of these children may also excel in reading, and the other in math.

If nothing else, look at the figures. Finland ranks #1, and we are #29. This is about where Finland was until they decided to focus on bettering their students, by offering them a better quality education that focuses on their needs, not tests.

We must allow kids to be kids and encourage them to find and use their unique gifts.

Music Breathers

Music Breather: Mama This One’s for You by Beth Hart

August 12, 2017

We have an idea. Share this video with your mom, dad, or someone you love, someone who helped you feel this way:

I saw the world
And it was good
And full of kindness
Every step I took you held my hand
And watched me grow
You’ll never know
How much I love you

 

Feeds

Save The Date! Clear The Shelters Day Is Happening August 19, 2017!

July 31, 2017

“To the world, you may be just one person, but to one person (or pet) you are the world.”  – Dr. Seuss 

Attention Pet Lovers! On August 19, 2017, ‘Clear The Shelters’ Day will be taking place once again. This nationwide pet adoption initiative is for one day only!! This year, there are more than 700 Animal Shelters/Rescues that will be participating.

It just takes one day, one movement, and a common interest to make a difference! Spread the word and look into the benefits offered! Many shelters will be offering low, and in some cases, NO adoption fees for a full day! If you have been considering adding a furry friend to your family, this is the day to do it!

Last year, this event proved very successful, with roughly 50,000 pets finding their forever and loving homes. Adopting a shelter pet is such a rewarding and fulfilling way to spread love to those that need it most. Remember, sometimes it’s the ones with the whiskers and wet noses that are in need of love just as much as us.

Oh, how incredibly sweet it is to see just how much each pet is in love with their new person. Each one completely ecstatic that they are able to walk out of there, once and for all! Finally, they will get the chance to go ‘home.’

If you’re interested and would like to see if there is a participating shelter near you, simply click on the following link. If you would like to see how you can help, visit  Clear The Shelters Main Page.

 

 

 

 

 

Deeds

High School Runner Chooses to Help Autistic Competitor Finish the Race

July 21, 2017

When given the opportunity to reign victorious at a championship cross country running event, one young man chose to take a loss instead. “Why?”, one might ask. In order to change the life of another–a fellow student but also an opponent–that he felt needed a win just a little bit more than he did.

In the end, both came out on top as big winners of the day. There is never a loser in the game of kindness and humanity.

Feeds

The Truth Behind Big Pharma, Explained in Less Than Three Minutes

July 16, 2017

The pharmaceutical industry (Big Pharma) has played a role in presidental elections, insurance fraud and the well being of our lives, as well as the lives of our friends and family, for decades.

As the opioid epidemic continues sweeping the nation as it has for years, it seems that now more than ever concerned eyes are on the pharmaceutical industry. Although made from a humorous standpoint, this ‘Honest Ad’ campaign launched by Cracked about the industry could not be more true. Think about it, if they were able to cure everybody as they have led us all to believe for decades, they would have no business. We would all be well and no longer need them.

This epidemic has become so severe that one state has finally said enough is enough. Ohio recently launched a lawsuit against five of the biggest pharmaceutical manufacturers for personally causing the opioid epidemic. “We believe the evidence will show that these companies got thousands and thousands of Ohioans — our friends, our family members, or co-workers, our kids — addicted to opioid pain medications,” said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine.

You can find the full story and more at NBC News. It is definitely a topic that we encourage all to educate themselves on. Millions are suffering in one way or another due to prescription drug use, and it’s time the manufacturers explained themselves.

Nature Breathers

The Seven Wonders of Oregon

July 16, 2017

Welcome to Hooray Cafe’s backyard!

Oregon is home to some of the most amazing destinations in the country, many of which are overlooked or simply driven right past. This is due to the fact that a large majority of them are nestled, just out of eyes view. Perhaps intentionally?

Some locations are more well known than others, but with the arrival of ‘Solar Fest’ next month, in celebration of the full Solar Eclipse coming, I am sure they will all be very well traveled and well known.With an expected arrival of more than a million people in just the Central Region alone, there will be a lot of discovering to do, and a lot of tourists to do it.

Although this “Seven Wonders” list highlights what some would consider Oregon’s top destinations, there are several other locations that did not make the list, some of which many of us locals would consider our own slices of paradise.

There is an unspoken creed among Oregonians, in which we attempt to keep some of these locations hidden from the rest of the world.  Although impossible, we will still try to hang onto them, keeping them for ourselves, as long as we can.

If you have traveled to any of the seven destinations listed, or plan on doing so, don’t forget to visit Travel Oregon to upload your photos from your favorite destination(s), or all seven if you’d like. If you’re posting your photos on social media, you can also use #traveloregon to share among others that have experienced the beautiful and incredibly unique scenery that Oregon has to offer. While you are at it, be sure to post with #hooraycafe to let more people know about our site.

As always, don’t forget to like and share Hooray Cafe to help spread the word that GOOD NEWS is making a comeback.

Deeds

A Social Experiment: One Homeless Man Going Above and Beyond to Help

July 16, 2017

In the above clip,  you’ll have the pleasure of witnessing what an all-around kind-spirited human being looks like. During a social experiment, a homeless man by the name of David is asked if he is able to assist a gentleman with changing a flat tire.

Immediately, David is more than happy to help the stranded motorist. Not only does he offer his experience and knowledge with vehicles, he also offers some encouragement as well. After explaining the problem to David, you hear him tell the motorist “We’ll get through this, don’t worry.”

It is very clear that he is truly concerned with the well being of Johal, the one conducting the experiment. David never once hesitates to ensure that Johal is safely back on the road again. He even went as far as to return his own recycling to buy the young stranded motorist a brand new jack for $50.00, upon discovering he didn’t have one in his vehicle.

When asked why he would spend his own money, Davide simply says because people have helped him in the past, and he just wants to pay it forward. He did all of this without expecting anything in return and nearly refused what Johal did offer him; to say ‘Thank-you’.

David could have easily avoided this entire interaction by simply saying he didn’t know how to change a tire and kept walking. He could have gone about his evening, never thinking twice about Johal again, or whether or not he ever got his tire changed. His reaction of helping, versus what he could have done, is what separates us in society.

There are those who keep walking, never looking past their own needs and what they want. They are the individuals that snub the homeless, refusing to give up their seat on a crowded subway.

Thankfully, we do have the people like David. People that acknowledge their role in making the world a better place. People who enjoy spreading kindness and experience joy themselves doing it. The Davids are who keep this world going. We salute the helpers, the givers, those who make good news, and hope this includes you. You never know who your good deed or kind gesture will inspire or encourage. So, live life as if somebody is watching and prepared to honor your good deeds, because, in one form or another, someone is.