What School Should Teach But Doesn't

[tskeeter]

Apr 19, 2013 12:33:28 GMT -5 tractor said:

A basic class on personal hygiene and house hold chores would be good. I try with my boys, but sometimes it feels like a lost cause.

Easy, peasy.  Pick a nice chilly day.  Line the boys up in the back yard.  Sprinkle them with soap.  Hose them down.  Showers and laundry in one fell swoop.  It might take as many as two lessons to get any slow learners engaged in the bathing program. 

For chores, insist that the basic hygiene classes will continue any time chores aren't done.

[kgb18]

I don't know about other states, but in Pennsylvania we have the PSSA tests. Everything is tied to those tests. Schools can be shut down for under performing. It has created a situation where schools are teaching to the test and extracurriculars and the arts are being cut. The tests are a poor way to see how a school is truly performing, and everyone involved (teachers, aids, students, school boards) are miserable.

The converse of this thread could be: "What schools have to teach that they shouldn't" like manners, good behavior, the most basic of skills that kids come to school without knowing ...

[Deleted]

Apr 19, 2013 12:49:44 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

If I had to give something that school should teach but doesn't, it's that 90% of what you learn in school doesn't really matter, and most of what's actually going to matter in terms of finding employment and taking care of yourself as an adult, you'll have to teach yourself later.  I'm thinking of k-12 education when I say this.  The overwhelming majority of the US population doesn't even use junior high level math at work.  No employer has ever asked me or anyone I know on which date the battle of the bulge took place and who the commanders of the respective forces were.  I've sure as hell never had to diagram a sentence or write a book report to make a buck.

Then why do you want them to teach more of it?

[Deleted]

Apr 19, 2013 12:49:44 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

If I had to give something that school should teach but doesn't, it's that 90% of what you learn in school doesn't really matter, and most of what's actually going to matter in terms of finding employment and taking care of yourself as an adult, you'll have to teach yourself later.  I'm thinking of k-12 education when I say this.  The overwhelming majority of the US population doesn't even use junior high level math at work.  No employer has ever asked me or anyone I know on which date the battle of the bulge took place and who the commanders of the respective forces were.  I've sure as hell never had to diagram a sentence or write a book report to make a buck.

okay, but what about the kids that DO want to become historians or editors or teachers?  How about the fact that kids in general don't really know what they want to do when they get older?  I don't think there is anything wrong whatsoever with exposing kids to history or literature or any of the other "useless" things they learn in K-12.  If anything it's teaching them to pay attention, memorize/practice, feel comfortable sharing ideas/questions, and exposing them to something they would have otherwise never encountered.

[thyme4change]

Besides, there are a certain number of things you absolutely have to get exposed to so you can get all the references made on shows like The Simpsons, or Family Guy or whatever dumb show is coming next.

I mean - "Stella!"  and all the Moby Dick jokes.  If you don't learn about all that in school, you will grow up and not find anything funny.  And THAT is the greatest downfall of all.

[Deleted]

Apr 19, 2013 12:59:10 GMT -5 oped said:

Apr 19, 2013 12:49:44 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

If I had to give something that school should teach but doesn't, it's that 90% of what you learn in school doesn't really matter, and most of what's actually going to matter in terms of finding employment and taking care of yourself as an adult, you'll have to teach yourself later.  I'm thinking of k-12 education when I say this.  The overwhelming majority of the US population doesn't even use junior high level math at work.  No employer has ever asked me or anyone I know on which date the battle of the bulge took place and who the commanders of the respective forces were.  I've sure as hell never had to diagram a sentence or write a book report to make a buck.

Then why do you want them to teach more of it?

 Because you need the basic foundation to able to understand what you are experiencing in real life with correct judgement. 

[Deleted]

Honestly, I asked the kids the other day, randomly... "What's the first rule of fight club"... They both immediately parroted, 'you do not talk about fight club' .... They assured me they hadn't seen it when I asked, but it is just so used everywhere...

sometimes I think they learn more FROM that stuff, lol... 

[Deleted]

Correct judgement... Yes, I see schools teaching that but, as they are all just liberal indoctrination camps ....  

[Deleted]

Apr 19, 2013 13:07:24 GMT -5 oped said:

Correct judgement... Yes, I see schools teaching that but, as they are all just liberal indoctrination camps ....  

You want to talk about politic we have other places for it in this forum.

[thyme4change]

Next time someone asks me "What's the first rule of fight club?"  I'm going to answer "No need to see the movie before you quote the script?"    LOL.

[zibazinski]

Well, since a fair amount of people use school as daycare, extend the day and teach useful things like the subjects other posters have mentioned. Win-win.

[thyme4change]

Apr 19, 2013 13:12:51 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Well, since a fair amount of people use school as daycare, extend the day and teach useful things like the subjects other posters have mentioned. Win-win.

I use school as daycare.  

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

If they're not good luck.  I could have held a gun to the registar's head and I don't think they would have let me have an offical copy of my transcripts for a job interview.  I told the person they'd have to accept unoffical copies or nothing.

I suppose the theory is I could use a buddy's number for calling and verifying but I can't fake transcripts?

[Deleted]

Apr 19, 2013 13:13:43 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Apr 19, 2013 13:12:51 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Well, since a fair amount of people use school as daycare, extend the day and teach useful things like the subjects other posters have mentioned. Win-win.

I use school as daycare.  

I don't believe that in one minute. thyme

[zibazinski]

Well, then, your kids should be prime for any extra help or subjects you think are good for them to know.

[sheilaincali]

I think I'm in the minority here because other than realistic Sex Education I really think the Boy's school is doing a pretty decent job with what they are teaching him. 

His Family and Consumer Science classes in junior high even had sections on personal finance and budgeting.  His school offers a several automotive and tech ed classes.  The smaller schools around us all have Agri Business classes for the kids that want to be farmers.  DS wants to be an Engineer and his school offers I think 12 different engineering courses (some taught in conjunction with science classes).  This week they are doing a group project with an Engineering class in Texas. 

Every English teacher he has had since 5th grade has told him that Wikipedia is not an acceptable source for research information. 

I do think they should sit the HS Seniors down and explain to them about student loans, grants, scholarships, financial aid, etc.  I think a large marjority of the kids going off to college could benefit from that. 

[midjd]

Apr 19, 2013 13:10:11 GMT -5 @snowbird said:

Apr 19, 2013 13:07:24 GMT -5 oped said:

Correct judgement... Yes, I see schools teaching that but, as they are all just liberal indoctrination camps ....  

You want to talk about politic we have other places for it in this forum.

I'm pretty sure Oped was joking, hence the two winky faces per sentence.

[Deleted]

It's hard to use more than two winks in a sentence! Perhaps my school should have better taught me how to use emoticons to signify tone...  

[Deleted]

oped - QUIT WASTING ALL THE DOTS!!!!!! 

[Sum Dum Gai]

okay, but what about the kids that DO want to become historians or editors or teachers?  How about the fact that kids in general don't really know what they want to do when they get older?

What about the kids that want to become heavy equipment operators, truck drivers, roughnecks, and carpenters?  They're are a hell of a lot more adults putting food on the table that way than there are doing so as historians and editors.  If we're focused on job skills maybe we should scrap 75% of our current curriculum and teach every kid to use basic power tools, operate a fork lift, and weld.  The brainy kids can always go to the library and take college prep courses in high school.

[Deleted]

Apr 19, 2013 13:19:59 GMT -5 midjd said:

Apr 19, 2013 13:10:11 GMT -5 @snowbird said:

You want to talk about politic we have other places for it in this forum.

I'm pretty sure Oped was joking, hence the two winky faces per sentence.

I believe it when I see it.

[thyme4change]

Apr 19, 2013 13:15:29 GMT -5 @snowbird said:

Apr 19, 2013 13:13:43 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

I use school as daycare.  

I don't believe that in one minute. thyme

Well - I mean, there is a reality that I go to work when they go to school.  And when they don't have school, I have to find someone to watch them, or somewhere for them to go.  So, technically...their schooling makes it possible for me to go to work without having to pay for care.  


Speaking of expanded days, and such.  We know a guy who is on the board of a charter school with a very clear goal.  It is set in an area of town where there are a lot of recent immigrants, and people who maybe don't have so much money, and the goal is to take kids and get them through the education process and into college, with a clear career goal.  The program is a 9 hour per day, 5 days per week program, and it may be year round, but I'm not so sure about that.  It starts with breakfast, they have classwork, they have individual work (what we think of as homework - they must do it on their own, etc.) they have extra curricular, including club sports teams and music, etc.  And they do 2 college visits per year starting in 7th grade, including longer trips where they go out of town to visit schools.  The message starting in kindergarten is college, college, college.  Once they leave school, they aren't expected to do any school work, so the pressure on the family is somewhat minimal.  It also gives them 9 hour days - every day of the week - so they can work full time jobs without having to pay for additional care (like I do for those damn once a week planning days!)  

It is an interesting program, and certainly very clear on the indoctrination process.  A lot of kids come from families that don't speak English, maybe aren't educated past a very basic education - if at all.  It is voluntary, so if you don't believe in the vision, you can go to the regular public school.  

[Deleted]

The dots is what you have a problem with? 

[Deleted]

Apr 19, 2013 11:56:41 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Apr 19, 2013 11:46:59 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Birth control.

And realistic sex education. Teach more than just abstinence-only sex ed.

in a related topic they should add the karma sutra

[Sum Dum Gai]

Is it a KIPP school Thyme?  We have those in the bay area and they sound similar.  Heavy focus on college attendance and they target minority students.

[Tennesseer]

Apr 19, 2013 13:28:15 GMT -5 @robbase2012 said:

Apr 19, 2013 11:56:41 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

And realistic sex education. Teach more than just abstinence-only sex ed.

in a related topic they should add the karma sutra

That's better learned in the back of a SUV.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

What about the kids that want to become heavy equipment operators, truck drivers, roughnecks, and carpenters

That's what shop was/is for.  Then back in the 70's they used to also have secretarial school for girls where you learned to type and all that good stuff.  I thnk they even taught switchboard.

My HS used to offer an alternative technical course schedule but it got shut down due to budget contraints.  I don't think elminating history from the course schedule is going to replace enough funds to get the program started again considering 30 history textbooks are a hell of a lot cheaper than a carpentry lab.

I think they still have the welding and automotive departments though, I haven't been there in years so I'm not entirely sure.

[Deleted]

Apr 19, 2013 13:25:24 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Apr 19, 2013 13:15:29 GMT -5 @snowbird said:

I don't believe that in one minute. thyme

Well - I mean, there is a reality that I go to work when they go to school.  And when they don't have school, I have to find someone to watch them, or somewhere for them to go.  So, technically...their schooling makes it possible for me to go to work without having to pay for care.  

I kind of sensed it that's what you meant. thyme
I am sure it's a lot of juggling act for many parents. 

[Deleted]

Apr 19, 2013 13:24:57 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

okay, but what about the kids that DO want to become historians or editors or teachers?  How about the fact that kids in general don't really know what they want to do when they get older?

What about the kids that want to become heavy equipment operators, truck drivers, roughnecks, and carpenters?  They're are a hell of a lot more adults putting food on the table that way than there are doing so as historians and editors.  If we're focused on job skills maybe we should scrap 75% of our current curriculum and teach every kid to use basic power tools, operate a fork lift, and weld.  The brainy kids can always go to the library and take college prep courses in high school.

I both agree and disagree with this approach. 

[Deleted]

Apr 19, 2013 13:25:24 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Apr 19, 2013 13:15:29 GMT -5 @snowbird said:

I don't believe that in one minute. thyme

Well - I mean, there is a reality that I go to work when they go to school.  And when they don't have school, I have to find someone to watch them, or somewhere for them to go.  So, technically...their schooling makes it possible for me to go to work without having to pay for care.  

I kind of sensed it that's what you meant. thyme
I am sure it's a lot of juggling act for working parents these days.