J2 Content – Perspectives

A varied collection of thoughts on education and parenting

Futurama, the Mathiest Cartoon on TV

If you listened to episode 262 of the Paul Goebel Show, produced by Perspectives contributor Paul Goebel, you heard Paul, Tom, Jim, and special guest Paul Jay discussing Futurama and what a smart show it is. Paul referenced the special features on the Bender’s Game DVD, and the guys talked about a number of math-specific…. read more

Even More Family Spinoffs

When one of our favorite TV shows goes off the air, it can be devastating. However, many times, the cancellation is the birth of a spinoff. Sometimes it can be a great thing (Benson) and sometimes not so much (Hangin’ In). Here are some spinoff ideas that I would love to see. Buddy & Buddy…. read more

This Aint Elementary School Anymore

Last Friday, my daughter made the jump from a K-6 elementary school into a 7-8 middle school. Her father and I did all we could to prepare her: clothes, school supplies, some summer “school work”, a number of talks about boys, peer pressure, “mean girls” and more. We made it a point to watch some…. read more

The Lying Game

Well, ABC Family has done it again. Done what, you ask? Created another crappy TV show. This one is called The Lying Game. The premise is a twist on The Prince and the Pauper. Twins are separated at birth. One is adopted by a rich family and the other grows up in a foster home….. read more

Strange Disney Educational Films

The folks over at io9.com have compiled a list of six weird educational cartoons  produced by Walt Disney studios. The topics include menstruation, malaria, smoking, drug abuse, and sexually transmitted diseases. Most Perspectives readers will have seen “Donald Duck in Mathemagic Land” before, but the other 5 may be new to you. Now, as un-Disney…. read more

Back to School

In only a few short weeks I will experience the joy that only comes around once a year. It’s better than Christmas and more relaxing than Labor Day. The day I speak of is the day my kids go back to school. In less than a week, I will no longer have to drive anybody…. read more

Still More Family Friendly Spinoffs I’d Like to See

When one of our favorite TV shows goes off the air, it can be devastating. However, many times, the cancellation is the birth of a spinoff. Sometimes it can be a great thing (Mork & Mindy and sometimes not so much (Joanie Loves Chachi). Here are some spinoff ideas that I would love to see….. read more

Shopping for the Perfect Toy

My Great Niece turned 1 this month so I traveled to the local toy store to pick out a toy “appropriate” for her age. I learned two things during my travels to the store. First, I am so thankful that I am not the parent of a 1 year old and second, the toy selection…. read more

A Most unScientific Study: Nutrition Bars

An informal survey of seven families with school age children revealed the following results. All 7 families allowed their children to eat “bars” (a category we defined to include “milk and cereal bars”, “granola bars”, and “health/diet/protein bars”). Only 2 of the families gave their children health/diet/protein bars. The reasons both families gave was that…. read more

A Prescription of No Technology

It’s almost time for the annual family camping trip where we head north to a lake just west of Yosemite California.  The 10 hour drive is well worth it.  The area is so remote that cell phone coverage is next to impossible – even the satellite radio cuts in and out.  We literally spend an…. read more

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