For the record: both my 7 year old and my 4 year old know the earth revolves around the sun, although the little one gets confused about the difference between rotation and revolution. Also he refuses to believe that the sun is a star.

Spidra, your link reminds me of the State Hopital in Traverse City, MI except that most of the external architecture is being saved. Here's what it was a few years ago [link] and here's what it is now [link]

The history of the place is documented beautifully in the photography book Angels in the Architecture [link]

I remember when I was in first grade I got into an argument with a classmate - I said the Earth revolved around the Sun and the other kid said the Sun went around the Earth. To get support for my case, I asked a second-grader (because I figured a second grader would be smarter). The second grader said the Sun went around the Earth. I gave up the argument at that point.

Also he refuses to believe that the sun is a star.

Did you explain the Sun is just a star that we're really close to (relative to other stars)?

Yeah, I can see that being confusing to a small child.

That's what got me into pre-K private school early. They had me answer a few questions to see if I could go (born in Nov.).

Teacher asked, "In which direction does the sun set?" I rolled my eyes and explained very very patiently that the sun doesn't really set, the earth revolves around the sun and also completes a turn itself, so the sun hasn't gone anywhere, we're just not where we can see it.

They pretty readily agreed to let me in.

explained very very patiently

I'm picturing an exasperated tiny person rolling her eyes and thinking the grownups are very, very stupid.

I'm glad they managed to save the exterior, aurelia.

Children's Hospital of Oakland managed to save the exterior of the old Mission High School. Beautiful building but it was abandoned to vandals for years and was a "beautiful eyesore". As soon as someone cleaned it up and preserved it, it VASTLY improved that neighborhood. I don't think a new building would have had the same effect.

Hell, you can't afford the materials and quality of work of a lot of 100 year old buildings. It sucks that workers were paid so poorly for high craftsmanship but as long as they were, why throw away what was built with it?

Yeah, if elected officials spent twice the money to make a new school pretty, I imagine they would be hell to pay.

I want many of these shoes. How rocking are they?

Think of the miners.