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Jane's Place

by jmax123 from Jersey

Last Post 40 days, 3 hours Ago


zzzz SCHOOL D A Z E zzzz
Sep 16, 2008 | 11:34 AM
Category: News
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Looking at my son’s school books and homework; it looks exactly like my mother’s did 60 years ago!  

No disrespect intended, but; does today’s school board think the 1940’s school board knew better of what kids should be learning today?   

For all of the years I have studied in school, I can’t think of even one instance of how ancient history helped me in life.    If you are not planning on being a game show contestant, what will you ever do with all of this dead, worthless information stored in your brain?  

My mother’s answer to that was, “Well you don’t want to look stupid if these topics come up at a party,” “But I have been to hundreds of parties Mom, and have yet to see a party where the topic of ancient history came up in conversation!”    We live in a different world now.   If you go to a party and talk about Abraham Lincoln, you are a propeller head!

Who really gives a rat’s tail about George Washington at any age?    Why do we spend more time on the past than the present and the future?   Our kids don’t need to be quizzed on his wooden teeth; where he lived; where he slept, etc.    A simple briefing on all prominent people in history would suffice now, leaving more time to learn about things that will be useful to them in their upcoming adulthood.   

If I had the power to change what my son learns in school, I would streamline the curriculum to be conducive to his future.   Yes, it will cost lots of money to make these revisions, but I don’t want my son to be insecure in life because instead of teaching reality, our schools are frozen in time.     The 1940’s were simpler times.    We live in a much more complex world now, and we need to stop preparing our children to live in a 1940’s scenario.       

Today we optimize our computers, but leave our children’s learning un-optimized, as if the brain of our computer is more important!

I believe the school system fears change because of the uproar it may cause in different communities and cultures.     But, what if there were “optional” classes for parents who want their kids to have an education that will let them enter today’s adult world with more confidence?     This class could teach things that will make them more “street smart,” “technology inclined,” “business savvy,”  and develop better problem solving skills,  by teaching valuable tips and tricks and alerting them of common pitfalls and scams in today’s world that people fall victim to; and ways to avoid them.     

By learning about mistakes others have made in “this decade,” our kids can avoid repeating the same “trials and errors” and avoid all the bumps, bruises and set-backs that could lead them to a path they did not plan.

It would be great if kids looked forward to learning because it pertains to them, instead of feeling like some classes are punishments because we owe ancient people glory and respect?     

With this hypothetical class of the future, our kids would actually look forward to being there, because it will shed light on, and optimize their thoughts as they develop plans to create their individual path through life, avoiding obstacles that lead them astray.   

 

Jane

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 17
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JammnJay read my blog
Sep 16, 2008 | 12:31 PM

I agree with you 100%.

Jay
Sanctus read my blog view my photos
Sep 16, 2008 | 5:49 PM

Jane, I can't believe that you don't want people to learn about history, ancient or otherwise. While courses on business and technology are important (and they are taught in public schools in New York) the study of history is essential to broaden our perspective on life and help us to appreciate what we have now. There is a connection to those who came before us that should not be overlooked or undervalued. It is vital that we all have the ability to link current events to ones in the past and that we know where ideas come from. By studying history, we actually reveal many things about ourselves in the present. We are able to understand government better, the roles of nation states and market states in our current world, and the trail of knowledge and the scientific method which is so important to our present and to our future. What is old is new and what is new is old. Without history, we are a like a person without memory and a child without structure. To disregard history is to disregard all human effort that has come before our present. To reach the future intact, we must always remain connected to the past. To do otherwise is complete folly. When history is no longer taught in school, that will, indeed, be the end of humankind. I encourage everyone to learn about history. Without it, we are truly lost!
jmax123 read my blog view my photos
Sep 16, 2008 | 6:26 PM

No Daniel;

I never said do away with history. You didn't read all of what I wrote. Sorry it was so long.

I just think they should brief students on all of the prominent people and events in history, instead of spending too much time on the unimportant details of just a few events

History books have not changed in 40 years! What about all of the new history that was made in the past 40 years?
Or the possibility of our children making new history, because they are focusing on the now, by spending less time in the past.

Not to forget the past; but maybe dwelling too much into the past is why we are not as advanced as countries that are living in the now.
Students are not prepared for what is ahead of them after graduation, and some go off their planned path because of that.

A country that wastes too much time pointing the blame finger, and not enough time fixing the problem, is basically another example of the point I am making.


Jane
wnywkathy read my blog view my photos
Sep 16, 2008 | 8:53 PM

Hi, Jane.
I've always wondered when that Advanced Placement Calculus was going to come in handy. And the truth is, the actual mathematical equations, formulas (i don't even remember what they were called anymore) aren't what we need to know (unless you'r pursuing a career teaching the subject or looking to work in engineering, science, too, I guess.) It's all about the thought process you develop; the problem solving skills you learn and maybe just maybe you get a little sharper from it all. What do you think? You're smart.. I bet some subjects helped develop your mind despite not having to use what you learned directly on a day-to-day basis.
jmax123 read my blog view my photos
Sep 16, 2008 | 9:52 PM

Hey Kathy!
Yeah, you can't get more brain exercise than calculus! I took business courses so I don't really know it was like, but I heard it was really tough stuff.
Advanced accounting classes were my limit; then my brain was clogged and needed a rest.
I liked the open-discussion classes the most. Where the books were never opened, and we were free to think and explore outside the circle. I always left those classes taking something with me.
jmax123 read my blog view my photos
Sep 16, 2008 | 10:29 PM

Jay...
How is the DJ-ing going? Do you ever play your dad's music in your radio show? I forgot to bookmark the site, what was the URL again?
Sanctus read my blog view my photos
Sep 17, 2008 | 8:31 AM

Good Morning, Jane. I did read your entire blog quite carefully and I disagree with you, but that's fine. History is not about dwelling on the past, it's about learning from it. It is important to learn practical skills and be prepared to meet life's challenges and an understanding of history can help greatly. It sounds like perhaps the history curriculum in your son’s school is less than adequate. There are many sources of history and textbooks have changed. Some schools may not be getting the best materials, but that does not lessen the importance of history.
As Kathy pointed out, it is often the exercise of intellectual activity that improves us beyond the source material. Reading is one of the most important mental exercises and studying history adequately requires a lot of reading. The details are often important as well. To understand what one person did within their life is both compelling and inspiring. Remember that many children live in terrible conditions and lack the perspective that only history can give us. Sometimes a simple history lesson can change the course of a person's life.

Daniel
jmax123 read my blog view my photos
Sep 17, 2008 | 12:27 PM

In moderation I can see the value of learning ancient history.
I just find that through the 300-year generation gap, times have changed so much, and our children are so much more advanced in thinking than they were back then.
Therefore, a run-down of timelines of important people and events that brought us to this point would be good to learn, but by removing the unimportant details, they can use the extra time saved to advance the study and materials to include more recent events, and current events as well.

When kids feel that they are learning something that they will have no use for in their lives, they are dazed and frowning, while they keep looking at the clock because it seems to be stuck.
But when kids are taught things that will relate to their own future, they open their minds, and crave more information, and excitedly ask lots of questions.
Isn't this type of inquisitive learning exercise too?


Jane
Sanctus read my blog view my photos
Sep 17, 2008 | 2:06 PM

My view is completely different as I do not find that humans are different at all from the way they were 300 years ago, or even 3000 years ago. Sure, the technology is more advanced today, but take all of that away and we are still the same people. We loved and laughed the same. We won, we lost, we mourned, we grew old. We were loyal or we were betrayed, we were lost and we found our way. When we have the ability to examine an entire time period or series of events or even the entire scope of one human life, we gain wisdom and knowledge that will help us reach our own goals and our own future. Many stories, themes, questions and goals have universal, timeless appeal and they are relevant to our present day and to our future. Current events cannot be understood or described accurately without being set against the backdrop of our past. When I read literature written long ago, it is still relevant to my present and to my future. It is impossible to understand America or the world today without knowing the details of its past. We need to understand why certain species became extinct thousands or even millions of years ago because this knowledge arms and prepares us to face an uncertain future. We need to understand why ancient kingdoms like those in Egypt and Rome rose and fell because that knowledge holds the key to understanding where we will go in the future, what kind of world we wish our children to inherit and what mistakes were made that we do not wish to repeat.

Daniel
jmax123 read my blog view my photos
Sep 17, 2008 | 2:37 PM

This makes me think of a woman I knew for many years, who lived in the past her whole life. No matter what you said to her, her response was "Remember when..."
She always looked back, and never planned today or tomorrow. I used to think it was because she was afraid of the future. Sadly, not thinking or planning ahead, she found herself distracted from her path, out of focus, and never was able to follow her dream of becoming a nurse.
All of her family and friends made comfortable lives for themselves, and she is now a stay at home mom, living in poverty with a loser boyfriend who emotionallty abuses her and is living off of what the state gives her to live on.
I always thought how different her life could have been if she only could plan and focus on today and tomorrow, and start seeing the past as water under the bridge.
I know her case is extreme, and not everyone is that obsessed with the past, but you can't move forward by looking back.

Jane
Sanctus read my blog view my photos
Sep 17, 2008 | 2:46 PM

Actually, if there is no back, there is no forward. But seriously, I think we're talking about two completely different things. It's not about always looking back, rather it's about understanding where you were, where you are and where you need or want to go. It's all connected. Obviously, "living in the past" is foolish, but understanding it and learning about it and from it is essential!

Daniel
desalvo1
Sep 19, 2008 | 3:09 PM

I have to say that I both agree and disagree with everyone above. History is important.
However, the actual day, supplies carried or crew members names are not necessarily worth
the time taken to teach and test for the average student. Students need to know how to FIND further information if they are interested. Teachers need to offer "extra credit" to students who do take the time to enlarge their learning of a subject on their own. Everyone needs to start out with a "C", do the work correctly you get a "B", put extra effort into expanding your knowledge get an "A", working at but not mastering the subject earns you a "D" but, an "F" means you failed to even try, you will need to do it over again and take responsibility for wasting everyones time. Students need to learn how to live their lives productively. Years ago children were apprenticed to trades besides going to school. They learned how to support themselves and a family, they learned to take
responsibility for their actions. That opportunity has been taken from them. Now you have HS graduates that cannot even give you the correct change from $1.00 without a calculator. Many flit from job to job with no consideration on how their not showing up effects their co-workers, the customers, and the business itself. Our schools need to change, teachers need to teach. Handfeeding information then testing on it until you get a passing grade wastes everyones time and is the cause for more boredom, of both students and teachers. Give the students a reason/goal that will affect them personally, children are like

desalvo1
Sep 19, 2008 | 3:11 PM

sponges teach them HOW to learn, give them encouragement, watch them grow. A great lawyer most likely will not be a great accountant and the best doctor probably knows nothing about plumbing and electricity. Our country and the world needs people with all skills. Teaching students how to succeed in life is important. Science classes can learn how to grow food, eat healthy and how exercise effects the body. They can learn how to treat basic illnesses and know when to call in a professional. See how man impacts the planet through weather, mining, and just settling. Math classes can learn the value of money how to manage and invest it. They can learn to measure - rooms for lumber, paint and flooring, foodstuffs for recipies, speeds for gasoline consumption. English classes can learn how to read and search information.
People need to learn to speak clearly and articulately so those around them can understand them, and History classes can teach students how History can repeat itself since people have been fighting over Land, Religion and Ideals since the beginning of time.

School is for learning. School Today should reflect the vast amount of knowledge at our fingertips. Teach the basic 4 subjects, but then let the students choose independent learning for the rest of the day. Three extra periods, ten month long assignments plenty of time to explore. There must be a million different jobs in the world, when students are young, teachers can direct the exploration along different career paths. Math teachers coach math careers, Science teachers coach science etc.

desalvo1
Sep 19, 2008 | 3:12 PM

The Arts, Music and Phys Ed can be incorporated into everything also. If you want to dance, rockclimb, fence or do archery you should not have to play football or be a cheerleader. Activity is necessary, but the method achieved should be a choice. Most Everyone can listen to music and study so start playing different kinds of music in the background in classrooms, introduce period music and art into a history lesson. As the students move to middle and high school Teachers can advise, review papers and projects and correct grammar and spelling mistakes. Let students present their chosen projects to other students therefore making them teachers. Video the presentations so the student can see how they come across to others. Self esteem and respect will be found and explored. Respect is really a very big word that applies to every person, place or thing worldwide. Teach students to live RESPONSIBLY and to learn to RESPECT everyone's three "H's" - HOME, HEART and HEALTH.
jmax123 read my blog view my photos
Sep 19, 2008 | 4:03 PM

I agree that children should take their own initiative to do their own extra research.
I always tell my son; if the teacher expects one inch of effort, give him two.

If he learns what happens when you give a little bit more more now, he will carry that out to the workplace too.
I also agree that children should be able to choose their projects; especially when it comes to writing essays. If these kids could write about anything they want; instead of the assigned topic; the teachers would learn so much more about them as individuals.....mostly what they are passionate about, and that essay might even expose where the child's talents lie.
Once a teacher gets to know the child on a individual basis, they can help the child develop their raw talents and feel good about themselves.

Jane
CLEEBO
Oct 7, 2008 | 12:35 AM

I'm just scanning and saw the most ignorant rant of all time, then i scanned and saw the amount of backlash you received, you know in your heart of hearts that your wrong. If you dont know your history you'll never know your aww what's the use....
jmax123 read my blog view my photos
Oct 7, 2008 | 8:44 AM

your....

go ahead....

Name an instance where it really helped you in your life? I am open-minded; I just couldn't think of any myself.
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jmax123

I believe every great person, at some time, was encouraged by someone who had the ability to see their hidden talents, and cared enough to lead them to see it too. Without this caring person in their past, we may have never known many people that we admire today. "FLATTER ME, AND I MAY NOT BELIEVE YOU. CRITICIZE ME, AND I MAY NOT LIKE YOU. IGNORE ME, AND I MAY NOT FORGIVE YOU. ENCOURAGE ME, AND I WILL NOT FORGET YOU. (Sir William Aurthur)"

Member Since: 3/14/2007


 

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