NationStates Jolt Archive

After reading through the Favorite Class (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=500691) thread, it seems that people do not feel that they are learning anything useful in school, so I wanted to suggest setting up a school system that would include classes that would teach people things that they really need to learn. Here's my suggestions:

Punctuality and Scheduling
It seems that people don't know how to be on time for anything. The cause of most job terminations is due to excessive absenences or tardiness, not because it is that critical, but because it is something that is easily measured and documented. People would learn that it is much better to be early than late and how to respond when being late is unavoidable.

Integrity
Many times, the chances of getting a straight answer out of someone are inversely proportional to the amount of punishment the person perceives is coming to them. People should be taught honesty is more important than avoidance of punishment. It would be very simple to set up: distribute random things, establish rewards and punishments for having certain things and ask people what they have. People that have bad things and lie about them would receive a punishment more severe than anything else.

Troubleshooting
I swear people would rather sit in the dark than change a lightbulb. Granted, the tools for root cause analysis can be a bit intimidating, but being able to give people the confidence to figure stuff out rather than give up would be more beneficial.

Any other ideas?

Philosphy
Basic probability theory (gambling, and explaining abuse of statistics)
Basic maths
World conquest 101

After reading through the Favorite Class (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=500691) thread, it seems that people do not feel that they are learning anything useful in school, so I wanted to suggest setting up a school system that would include classes that would teach people things that they really need to learn. Here's my suggestions:

Punctuality and Scheduling
It seems that people don't know how to be on time for anything. The cause of most job terminations is due to excessive absenences or tardiness, not because it is that critical, but because it is something that is easily measured and documented. People would learn that it is much better to be early than late and how to respond when being late is unavoidable.

Integrity
Many times, the chances of getting a straight answer out of someone are inversely proportional to the amount of punishment the person perceives is coming to them. People should be taught honesty is more important than avoidance of punishment. It would be very simple to set up: distribute random things, establish rewards and punishments for having certain things and ask people what they have. People that have bad things and lie about them would receive a punishment more severe than anything else.

Troubleshooting
I swear people would rather sit in the dark than change a lightbulb. Granted, the tools for root cause analysis can be a bit intimidating, but being able to give people the confidence to figure stuff out rather than give up would be more beneficial.

Any other ideas?


Great ideas, but how about we combine them all into a ninth-grade curriculum class, call it "Freshman Seminar," and have one half of the freshman class take it one semester, and the other half the next semester? That's what my high school did! :rolleyes:

Those classes can be taught in elementary school.

Other classes: Basic Math (you know, basics, no geometry, which is useless), English (like grammar and spellign as well as comprehnsion) also Philosophy classes or religious classes to prevent prejudice and misinformation. Then a health class.

Troubleshooting
I swear people would rather sit in the dark than change a lightbulb. Granted, the tools for root cause analysis can be a bit intimidating, but being able to give people the confidence to figure stuff out rather than give up would be more beneficial.

Any other ideas?

Advanced Troubleshooting: Jury-rigging

The basic troubleshooting class will prepare students for understanding faulty machinery or devices, but operates under the assumption that a full range of replacement parts and appropriate tools are available. In the real world this is not always the case and so the Jury-rigging class will educate in the way of botching jobs against the clock using only the contents of your pockets or whatever is closest at hand. There will be indepth examination of the role of cutlery as screwdrivers and structural replacement parts, a rigorous look at the utility of chewing gum as a bonding agent, and an exploration of why a flat bicycle tyre can be so useful in the world of plumbing. Students are expected to provide their own multitool, gaffa tape and WD-40. As part of the final exam candidates will be presented with a random broken household or business device and will have to repair it using only toothpaste, cigarette papers, chopsticks and some rubber bands. Marks will be awarded on the basis of safety, durability and ingenuity of the repair.

more P.E would be good teaching kids to stay fit and such

maybe a class on bush craft

maybe a on class bush craft

Given the primarily urban nature of most people's lives in the UK, wouldn't Bin Craft be a more useful course?

Students will become familiarised with the key principles of survival in the toughest and most unforgiving of all environments - the mean streets. They will be made aware of the riches that are contained within the average household bin, and how these materials can be used to build rudimentary shelters and provide nutrition. Field trips will educate in the skill of finding sheltered places to sleep rough, and the value of active recycling when money is tight and work is thin.

I like that Civic Education in that other thread

(Where available)

Public Transportation 101: Bus Riding

Students shall learn the basics of reading bus schedules, transfers, and the other niceties of riding buses. Special care shall be given to the twin concepts of remaining quiet and getting off at the right stop.

Advanced Troubleshooting: Jury-rigging

The basic troubleshooting class will prepare students for understanding faulty machinery or devices, but operates under the assumption that a full range of replacement parts and appropriate tools are available. In the real world this is not always the case and so the Jury-rigging class will educate in the way of botching jobs against the clock using only the contents of your pockets or whatever is closest at hand. There will be indepth examination of the role of cutlery as screwdrivers and structural replacement parts, a rigorous look at the utility of chewing gum as a bonding agent, and an exploration of why a flat bicycle tyre can be so useful in the world of plumbing. Students are expected to provide their own multitool, gaffa tape and WD-40. As part of the final exam candidates will be presented with a random broken household or business device and will have to repair it using only toothpaste, cigarette papers, chopsticks and some rubber bands. Marks will be awarded on the basis of safety, durability and ingenuity of the repair.Will McGyver teach the class?

Will McGyver teach the class?

Whoosh! American cultural reference?

Whoosh! American cultural reference?

Yeah, and an old one at that. McGyver was a tv show where the hero didn't use weapons of any kind and had the ability to fashion fancy escapes out of whatever was handy. The actor went on to star on the Stargate tv series.

Basket-weaving. Everybody ought to be able to pass basket-weaving.

Yeah, and an old one at that.

Ah, thought as much, the name sounded vaguely familiar. To further underline the cultural divide betwixt us, the course will contain a module on Heath Robinson devices in the UK, but one on Rube Goldberg devices in the USA.

Ah, thought as much, the name sounded vaguely familiar. To further underline the cultural divide betwixt us, the course will contain a module on Heath Robinson devices in the UK, but one on Rube Goldberg devices in the USA.I get the Rube Goldberg reference, but I wonder how many others will.

in the u.s. more geography and modern world history... americans need to know that iran is between iraq and afghanistan and why many people in the world might be unsettled if we conquered it and appeared to be creating some sort of southwest asian empire.

Resisting 'your' government: a theoretical and practical course


Heck, if Socialist Production classes were good enough for East Germany they should be good enough for the rest of the world.

How to survive a zombie outbreak

but alot of people probably won't pass that

We also need more info on the World Wars. There are some people who don't know what a swastika is. In the words of Mr. T, "I don't know him, but I pity the fool."

The idea of teaching classes on integrity and such would so not work. Those would be classes that kids would just say "why the fuck do I have to take this shitty class?". I am serious about that too. I mean, the only people who would like or do well in those classes would be the ones who already have those characteristics, the others would likely just call the classes BS and although they might figure a way to pass they are not going to take anything out of those classes. The troubleshooting class might be nice, but still, it probably shouldn't be made as a part of a required curriculum as it would interfere with the other endeavors that people have and would likely turn into a blow off class like health.

We also need more info on the World Wars. There are some people who don't know what a swastika is. In the words of Mr. T, "I don't know him, but I pity the fool."
That is true, but people already should be taking a World History class and in that class they should learn the basic truth on this matter. If people go through without learning that thing then it is either their fault or the teacher's fault but it is hardly a reason to create another class for it or anything. To be honest, so many people care so little about their subjects that they learn enough to pass and forget everything later.

Taco Making 101: The Classic American Taco
I cannot stress how important this class is.

Taco Making 201: Advanced Tacos
This will intreduce you to thinngs such as cheese in the shell, chicken tacos, etc.

Controlling the Proles 105: Abusing Logic
Ad hominem, false dilemmas, slipper slope, and other logical fallacies.

i always find highschool history a bit problematic. its both simplified and codified(ie... this happened because that happened because the state stardards say it did). i was subbing in special ed friday and was co-teaching with a 7th grade history teacher(okay i was sitting quietly in the back getting paid while he taught). we were doing a section on the earliest villiages in west asian . i thought to myself i couldn't teach this, because i don't think all the points he is making are true, in fact i think most of them are just spectulation that has become codified into fact in middle school text books. it wasn't his fault, he was teaching to the standards, but i'm not sure i could do that if i thought i was actually telling the kids things that i believed to be untrue.

Escaping Straitjackets

Fooling Psychiatrists

Managing The Voices

:)

Controlling the Proles 105: Abusing Logic
Ad hominem, false dilemmas, slipper slope, and other logical fallacies.I think we're already quite good enough at this without learning how to do it more effectively, thank you very much. :p

I think we're already quite good enough at this without learning how to do it more effectively, thank you very much. :p

But some of us aren't. Either we need to teach those who are unable to use logical fallacies or unteach those who cannot. Teaching is allot easier than unteaching.

Escaping Straitjackets

Fooling Psychiatrists

Managing The Voices

:)
managing the voices is important, many a killer could have avoided his murderous impulses if someone had just explained to him that the voices in his head do not necessarily have his best interests at heart. just because they want you to kill, kill, kill, doesn't not mean its in your best interests to do so. just because they want someone dead is no reason to assume you do.

managing the voices is important, many a killer could have avoided his murderous impulses if someone had just explained to him that the voices in his head do not necessarily have his best interests at heart. just because they want you to kill, kill, kill, doesn't not mean its in your best interests to do so. just because they want someone dead is no reason to assume you do.
Just deal with this the same way we tell kids to deal with peer pressure. Just say NO! We can even come up with a mascot and commercials on how to resist psychotic voices.

Religious Tolerance 101: RELTOL101
Yes, they have different Views, and their views are just as valid!

You're A God-Humper, and I'm Godless SOB 101: GOD101
Learning how to get along with your worst enemy.
PREREQ RELTOL101

Living in Harmony: LIH240
Now that you've learned that the othe person's views aren't so bad and that you've learned how to get along with them, it is now time to learn how to live together.
PREREQ RELTOL101, GOD101

Homosexuality is Normal: HOMO400
Just because his penis goes into his male friend's ass, doesn't mean he's a bad person, it just means that he's not into girls. And because she gets off on another chick is no reason to call her a dyke. Homosexuals do not have an agenda.

managing the voices is important, many a killer could have avoided his murderous impulses if someone had just explained to him that the voices in his head do not necessarily have his best interests at heart. just because they want you to kill, kill, kill, doesn't not mean its in your best interests to do so. just because they want someone dead is no reason to assume you do.

It's true. Sometimes the voices aren't your friends. And even some of the ones that are shouldn't be trusted; SOme of those bastards are crazy!

And they try to trick you. One of them will say, "Do you love me?" And I answer, "Yes, of course I do." THen it'll say, "HOw much do you love me?" and I will answer, "A lot". Then it says, "If you love me, you'll kill them all." and I say, "I'm not falling for that one again!"

:)

It's true. Sometimes the voices aren't your friends. And even some of the ones that are shouldn't be trusted; SOme of those bastards are crazy!

And they try to trick you. One of them will say, "Do you love me?" And I answer, "Yes, of course I do." THen it'll say, "HOw much do you love me?" and I will answer, "A lot". Then it says, "If you love me, you'll kill them all." and I say, "I'm not falling for that one again!"

:)

*pats LG on the head*

Idependent thought. All you'll ever need...

They should be taught respect and honour

and the ways of the ninja

Plundering, Raping, and Pillaging 101
The basics in taking on a successful career of being a Viking.

Competetive Eating 101
Introductory course on how to keep stuffing your face to no end without throwing up.

Advanced Competetive Eating 201
Learn special techniques of eating and ways to intimidate your opponent(s).

I'd offer the suggestion that various classes ought to actually be taught, instead of being baby sitting, warehouses, as under ther current systems of most countries most posters are familiar with...

more P.E would be good teaching kids to stay fit and such

My God, I've wasted enough perfectly valueble time in the gym. Don't make me give up my education to go hang out with the jocks anymore!

Me... I would stop requiring so many damn classes! I mean, for christ's sake, there are some things students don't need to take. Why the hell would a poli-sci student need to take Biology or Chemistry? We need to let students design their own majors, and take courses that are actually valueble to them after Junior High.

In JH we should require the four core classes, One arts class, and one elective from every student each year, so that they get a good overview of what is available.

My God, I've wasted enough perfectly valueble time in the gym. Don't make me give up my education to go hang out with the jocks anymore!

Me... I would stop requiring so many damn classes! I mean, for christ's sake, there are some things students don't need to take. Why the hell would a poli-sci student need to take Biology or Chemistry? We need to let students design their own majors, and take courses that are actually valueble to them after Junior High.

In JH we should require the four core classes, One arts class, and one elective from every student each year, so that they get a good overview of what is available.

so children should choose, at the age of 14 or younger, before they can even legally drive, what they want to do for the rest of their lives? over 80% of college students change their major atleast once. You need a solid backing to be able to make a choice about your future. High school majors are a horrible idea.

more P.E would be good teaching kids to stay fit and such


I disagree. We already have enough required P.E. as it is, and the required P.E. classes were both boring and painful, and stood in the way of taking course that would have been much more academically stimulating to me. I was already taking Swing Choir and walking to the gym after , which gave me plenty of exercise.

Geography is an important course to take. Learning at least one foreign or classical language is also important.

so children should choose, at the age of 14 or younger, before they can even legally drive, what they want to do for the rest of their lives? over 80% of college students change their major atleast once. You need a solid backing to be able to make a choice about your future. High school majors are a horrible idea.

So is forcing a High School Student to take Chemistry that he or she will never use. I wasted 150 hours of my life taking that class, and I'll never use a whit of it. Why should we waste valueble education time on things which only certain students will learn?

I disagree. We already have enough required P.E. as it is, and the required P.E. classes were both boring and painful, and stood in the way of taking course that would have been much more academically stimulating to me. I was already taking Swing Choir and walking to the gym after , which gave me plenty of exercise.

Geography is an important course to take. Learning at least one foreign or classical language is also important.

I counter-disagree. P.E. is very important, and not boring at all, and we obviously don't have enough P.E. as it is, seeing that childhood obesity and obesity in general is on the rise. And I don't know how large your school is, but walking from the farthest part part way from the gym to the gym in the school is nowhere near enough exercise.

world religions and philosphy. it wouold be a manditory class that would begin in the 3rd grade and go through highschool.

I counter-disagree. P.E. is very important, and not boring at all, and we obviously don't have enough P.E. as it is, seeing that childhood obesity and obesity in general is on the rise. And I don't know how large your school is, but walking from the farthest part part way from the gym to the gym in the school is nowhere near enough exercise.

Dude. We waste enough instruction time in the gym as it is. PE is a waste of time that could be spent actually learning. Now if you want to mix a class with a workout (say, running an instructional video on geography), that would be OK, but wasting perfectly good class time working out isn't OK at all.

If people are going to be obese, that's their business, not the school's business, and certainly not yours.

Dude. We waste enough instruction time in the gym as it is. PE is a waste of time that could be spent actually learning. Now if you want to mix a class with a workout (say, running an instructional video on geography), that would be OK, but wasting perfectly good class time working out isn't OK at all.

If people are going to be obese, that's their business, not the school's business, and certainly not yours.
You make a valid point.

PE shouldn't be competitive. It should be about encouraging all students to tak part in physical activity. By having sports that require skill, less skilled students can be very easily discouraged.

Having arobics class or all-purpose class where the main goal is to learn about ways to stay fit, is better than having students learn how to play sports. That's what school teams are for.

The other problem is the grading system.

They should simply have a participation mark. How much did the student partake? They get a higher grade simply for taking part.

I never much cared for basketball or any of that stuff, but when the teacher had us doing arobics and let us use the weight room it was better.

Or... they could have two versions of PE, one that is strictly sports and another that is arobic, that uses the weight room, if there is one and uses regular arobic workouts, that includes yoga, pilates etc, and allows for the students to go at their own pace.

world religions and philosphy. it wouold be a manditory class that would begin in the 3rd grade and go through highschool.

Oh God just shoot me now. I don't care about world religions. They also are none of the government's business. Philosophy, while fun, is also not something worth requiring.

I don't care if you want to "teach religious tolerance", there are better ways to do it than wasting more instruction time indoctronating students to agree with your point of view regarding religion.

Why not just call it "Tolerance, Respect, and Political Correctness 101"?

*shudders*

I counter-disagree. P.E. is very important, and not boring at all, and we obviously don't have enough P.E. as it is, seeing that childhood obesity and obesity in general is on the rise. And I don't know how large your school is, but walking from the farthest part part way from the gym to the gym in the school is nowhere near enough exercise.

P.E. is boring to me, because we basically just play games. Where's the intellectual stimulation? I got so bored once that I was about to plot a graph of the gym. It's a whole long period of time only playing games, which I suppose is fun for the athletic people, but not for people like me, who are not good at sports and thus find them rather boring to play.

That is a good point about obesity (although I have always been quite underweight). But it seems to me that P.E. always made me personally feel less encouraged to exercise on my own time. I associated the negative feelings of being bad at sports and being mocked for it with exercise, I suppose. I don't know if any children feel that way, but they might if they are forced into a position where they have to play games that make them feel bad about themselves.

I'm sorry, I wasn't clear. I meant the YMCA about a mile or so away from my school to which I have a membership, not a gym in the school.

Dude. We waste enough instruction time in the gym as it is. PE is a waste of time that could be spent actually learning. Now if you want to mix a class with a workout (say, running an instructional video on geography), that would be OK, but wasting perfectly good class time working out isn't OK at all.

If people are going to be obese, that's their business, not the school's business, and certainly not yours.

Okay, DUDE. It's not wasting time at the instructions. It's as you say "learning." Also, what about "learning" to be fit and healthy? Heath is very important, it's more important than most of the crap they teach you in school. Like you even said, some people will never use things like Chemisty, but your heath is for life.

Dude. We waste enough instruction time in the gym as it is. PE is a waste of time that could be spent actually learning. Now if you want to mix a class with a workout (say, running an instructional video on geography), that would be OK, but wasting perfectly good class time working out isn't OK at all.

If people are going to be obese, that's their business, not the school's business, and certainly not yours.

I agree. I am obese, and have been even when I was back at school and was forced through 4 hours of PE each week. I used to love exercising before it became mandatory at school, when suddenly exercise became stupid "running in circles" and "ball games that really, really, REALLY hurt"... I lost all interest.

I suggest the amount of hours for PE should remain the same, but the kids should be able to choose what they want to do right from the start. If you want to run, run. If you want to swim, swim. If you want to play tennis, play tennis. But don't force someone who enjoys swimming to play tennis.

Philosophy, while fun, is also not something worth requiring.

Yeah, where would we be if people sank so low as to use logic to structure their arguments?

P.E. is boring to me, because we basically just play games. Where's the intellectual stimulation? I got so bored once that I was about to plot a graph of the gym. It's a whole long period of time only playing games, which I suppose is fun for the athletic people, but not for people like me, who are not good at sports and thus find them rather boring to play.

That is a good point about obesity (although I have always been quite underweight). But it seems to me that P.E. always made me personally feel less encouraged to exercise on my own time. I associated the negative feelings of being bad at sports and being mocked for it with exercise, I suppose. I don't know if any children feel that way, but they might if they are forced into a position where they have to play games that make them feel bad about themselves.

I'm sorry, I wasn't clear. I meant the YMCA about a mile or so away from my school to which I have a membership, not a gym in the school.

That's a pretty good point about being mocked and all. Those people are assholes. Maybe they should make a "competitive" P.E. and a more "relaxed" P.E. or something like that. People can choose which one to go in.

I agree. I am obese, and have been even when I was back at school and was forced through 4 hours of PE each week. I used to love exercising before it became mandatory at school, when suddenly exercise became stupid "running in circles" and "ball games that really, really, REALLY hurt"... I lost all interest.

I suggest the amount of hours for PE should remain the same, but the kids should be able to choose what they want to do right from the start. If you want to run, run. If you want to swim, swim. If you want to play tennis, play tennis. But don't force someone who enjoys swimming to play tennis.
I hated PE because I am so terribly lacking in the co-ordination department. I can't run in a straight line, shoot a basketball, and running in a circle is boring. Asking a girl who has two left feet to kick a soccer ball was just unfair...

I am still having nightmares about the running back and forth across the gym to the drill tape to check how long and fast you can run...

PE should focus on teaching us about keeping fit, and not forcing students who hate sports into teams. They should have different types of PE classes...

-_-; I hated all the sports segments of PE except for badminton.

Oh God just shoot me now. I don't care about world religions. They also are none of the government's business. Philosophy, while fun, is also not something worth requiring.

I don't care if you want to "teach religious tolerance", there are better ways to do it than wasting more instruction time indoctronating students to agree with your point of view regarding religion.

Why not just call it "Tolerance, Respect, and Political Correctness 101"?

*shudders*

the idea is not to teach "religious tolerance" that whole idea is just PC, and thats crap.
i the idea is taht every thing you learn can be appled to alot of other things. it can be applyed to history to understand why groupd did what they did it can be applyed to economics as well as goverment and biology ethics law sociology phycology theology. when you know what a person believes about there religion and what there philosophy is you know why they do what they do and you form waht you belive about they would what you morals are and why to believe what you do.
if it was possible each section of the class would be tought by the people who belivev that religion, a few becaues taht way stedents would have the best chance to see the differand views with in the religion.

Okay, DUDE. It's not wasting time at the instructions. It's as you say "learning." Also, what about "learning" to be fit and healthy? Heath is very important, it's more important than most of the crap they teach you in school. Like you even said, some people will never use things like Chemisty, but your heath is for life.

Meh. My health is none of the Government's business. It's my business and my business alone.

Why waste time that could be spent learning about things that are valueble to me, like, say, History, running around in circles with a bunch of brainless jocks? Thanks, but I'm better off dying young.

the idea is not to teach "religious tolerance" that whole idea is just PC, and thats crap.
i the idea is taht every thing you learn can be appled to alot of other things. it can be applyed to history to understand why groupd did what they did it can be applyed to economics as well as goverment and biology ethics law sociology phycology theology. when you know what a person believes about there religion and what there philosophy is you know why they do what they do and you form waht you belive about they would what you morals are and why to believe what you do.
if it was possible each section of the class would be tought by the people who belivev that religion, a few becaues taht way stedents would have the best chance to see the differand views with in the religion.

Can it teach spelling and grammar? Because clearly the schools are falling behind on that...

Meh. My health is none of the Government's business. It's my business and my business alone.

Why waste time that could be spent learning about things that are valueble to me, like, say, History, running around in circles with a bunch of brainless jocks? Thanks, but I'm better off dying young.
I agree.

I hated running in a circle; it was so boring. Mind you, this doesn't mean that I think physical activity isn't a waste of time, I just think the approach that PE classes take is not right for all of us. There should be different options so that students will WANT to be in PE.

Can it teach spelling and grammar? Because clearly the schools are falling behind on that...
It's called "English" class.

Yeah, where would we be if people sank so low as to use logic to structure their arguments?

What the hell has logic got to do with philosophy? You can teach one without the other quite easily. Much of Philosophy is based on faith as well (we have faith that we exist, faith that our senses are accurate or innacurate, faith that the assumptions of those philosophers who came before us are correct).

If you want to teach logic, teach logic; if you want to teach philosophy, teach it as an elective.

Meh. My health is none of the Government's business. It's my business and my business alone.

Why waste time that could be spent learning about things that are valueble to me, like, say, History, running around in circles with a bunch of brainless jocks? Thanks, but I'm better off dying young.

What ever happened about being an intelligent jock? I see somebody generalizing that all jocks are stupid here. Sure, most of us jocks are pretty dumb, but not all.

It's called "English" class.

*watches it fly over your head*

Can it teach spelling and grammar? Because clearly the schools are falling behind on that...

the fact that iam dislexic has no bareing on that....besides if we go with the popular view why should i have to learn proper spelling and grammer if i dont want to?

the fact that iam dislexic has no bareing on that....besides if we go with the popular view why should i have to learn proper spelling and grammer if i dont want to?

Because they are necessary to public interaction. The schools were origionally meant to teach students to take part in a democracy. English, like History, is one of the skills you need to have when it comes to being an intelligent voter.

An intelligent voter has to read for detail, a skill you learn in English; Understand complex speeches, a skill you learn in English; Be capable of writing and expressing opinions in a way others can understand, a skill you learn in, gasp, English.

See?

That's a pretty good point about being mocked and all. Those people are assholes. Maybe they should make a "competitive" P.E. and a more "relaxed" P.E. or something like that. People can choose which one to go in.

We do have many options at my school: Individual and Dual Sports, Team Sports, Weightlifting, Volleyball, Basketball, Aerobics, and Recreation (technically, you're only required to take a semester of one of these courses, but they're all paired so that you basically have to take the whole year. I took Team Sports instead of something more relaxed, because of a scheduling conflict that meant that it was either that or weightlifting to fulfill the graduation requirement.)

In addition to that requirement, we are required to take a semester of Personal Fitness and a semester of Life Management Skills. I feel that this is enough education in health. Do other districts require less P.E.?

Another thing that I noticed about P.E. was that the vast majority of people in there are male. There were maybe eight girls in my class and about thirty boys. Is this a trend in other areas, too? I wonder this, because I've noticed that in my AP classes, it's either even between boys and girls, or there are many more girls than boys.

*watches it fly over your head*
Oooo! Pretty bird!

What ever happened about being an intelligent jock? I see somebody generalizing that all jocks are stupid here. Sure, most of us jocks are pretty dumb, but not all.

Sorry, I was too busy doing your homework for you so that you could play in the big game to ponder that question. :p

Basically, for those of us who find sports dull and wasteful, dealing with people whose first and last thoughts are about putting a ball through a hoop, or running across a line whilst carrying a ball, is something akin to torment. It's like having a conversation with a rock. That is, if a rock is interested in shoving your head in a toilet or making you do it's homework.

Sorry, I was too busy doing your homework for you so that you could play in the big game to ponder that question. :p

Basically, for those of us who find sports dull and wasteful, dealing with people whose first and last thoughts are about putting a ball through a hoop, or running across a line whilst carrying a ball, is something akin to torment. It's like having a conversation with a rock. That is, if a rock is interested in shoving your head in a toilet or making you do it's homework.

You seem to be confusing the word "jock" with "immature assholes" here.

You seem to be confusing the word "jock" with "immature assholes" here.
But, immature assholes can extend beyond jock.

You seem to be confusing the word "jock" with "immature assholes" here.

Confusing, no. Conflating... Why yes! I am!

Sorry, it comes from having had to deal with them as long as I have. :D

Sorry, I was too busy doing your homework for you so that you could play in the big game to ponder that question. :p

Basically, for those of us who find sports dull and wasteful, dealing with people whose first and last thoughts are about putting a ball through a hoop, or running across a line whilst carrying a ball, is something akin to torment. It's like having a conversation with a rock. That is, if a rock is interested in shoving your head in a toilet or making you do it's homework.

You still haven't quite answered my question. Why do you assume that all sports players are stupid? And now you are assuming that all of our thoughts are about our sports too. If they really do make you do their homework anyways, which I doubt they do, just purposely get it all wrong then. They will never come back to you. I also doubt they give swirlies too.

Really man, not all sports players are dumb. Only most of us are. Some are nerdy jocks, like me.

You still haven't quite answered my question. Why do you assume that all sports players are stupid? And now you are assuming that all of our thoughts are about our sports too. If they really do make you do their homework anyways, which I doubt they do, just purposely get it all wrong then. They will never come back to you. I also doubt they give swirlies too.

You doubt wrongly. The members of the football team, in especial, are known for coming up and asking "Can I see your assignment" (code for: "I'm gonna copy your answers"), and for pulling cruel pranks.

Ironically, many of them are also taking poor care of themselves, considering the drug use that goes on there.

Really man, not all sports players are dumb. Only most of us are. Some are nerdy jocks, like me.

Which doesn't defeat the point that spending more time with the "most" is hellish.

Because they are necessary to public interaction. The schools were origionally meant to teach students to take part in a democracy. English, like History, is one of the skills you need to have when it comes to being an intelligent voter.

An intelligent voter has to read for detail, a skill you learn in English; Understand complex speeches, a skill you learn in English; Be capable of writing and expressing opinions in a way others can understand, a skill you learn in, gasp, English.

See?

Considdering the fact that I have the highest scores in my school for reading comprehension as well as history and lit, I think that I know how to read and how to understand what iam reading, not to mention giving a speech is not a problum for me. You arn't the only one to tell me that if I can read I should be able to write well more specifically know how to spell well, my teachers have been telling me that since i was in 2nd grade.
The Human brain does not need the help of capitals and full stops to understand a language. sure it may make it easyer for the rest of socioty, but spelling is one thing that does not click with my brain, just like for some people PE does not click adn neather does chemistry.

Considdering the fact that I have the highest scores in my school for reading comprehension as well as history and lit, I think that I know how to read and how to understand what iam reading, not to mention giving a speech is not a problum for me. You arn't the only one to tell me that if I can read I should be able to write well more specifically know how to spell well, my teachers have been telling me that since i was in 2nd grade.
The Human brain does not need the help of capitals and full stops to understand a language. sure it may make it easyer for the rest of socioty, but spelling is one thing that does not click with my brain, just like for some people PE does not click adn neather does chemistry.
Correct spelling and coherent grammar also makes it easier.

You may want to consider using a spellchecker if you can't spot the errors yourself. It's good if spelling and grammar don't always click. There is no shame in using a spellchecker.

You doubt wrongly. The members of the football team, in especial, are known for coming up and asking "Can I see your assignment" (code for: "I'm gonna copy your answers"), and for pulling cruel pranks.

Ironically, many of them are also taking poor care of themselves, considering the drug use that goes on there.



Which doesn't defeat the point that spending more time with the "most" is hellish.

Well most of our football players are in really low classes, so as long as you are in AP or honors or anything like that, they really can't copy you.

I guess your school is different, the football players rarely pull and creul pranks or anything. They may do drugs though.

Considdering the fact that I have the highest scores in my school for reading comprehension as well as history and lit, I think that I know how to read and how to understand what iam reading, not to mention giving a speech is not a problum for me. You arn't the only one to tell me that if I can read I should be able to write well more specifically know how to spell well, my teachers have been telling me that since i was in 2nd grade.
The Human brain does not need the help of capitals and full stops to understand a language. sure it may make it easyer for the rest of socioty, but spelling is one thing that does not click with my brain, just like for some people PE does not click adn neather does chemistry.

And the difference between not taking PE and not learning to spell is that not learning to spell harms you as a member of society. You see, if I find reading your work to be unpleasant and frustrating (which I do), I may not bother to read it. That means that your ability to speak out and express your opinion just went away.

Correct spelling and coherent grammar also makes it easier.

You may want to consider using a spellchecker if you can't spot the errors yourself. It's good if spelling and grammar don't always click. There is no shame in using a spellchecker.
I know that, and for papers and what not I use one, for NS I usualy dont unless its for an RP post. When its a word I dont use all that much I go to google. Also when I take the time to do it I reread my posts to catch the obvious things, but when your like me things dont always stick out as being wrong. Its just not my gift.

Well most of our football players are in really low classes, so as long as you are in AP or honors or anything like that, they really can't copy you.

Which is just fine if you bother to take an AP or Honors class. For those of us in AP and Honors History and English, but regular math (There is no Honors math at my school, because of the stupid way the system is set up) and science (I'm bad at Chem and physics, and I was unwilling to take the course from hell to get into the AP versions), it isn't quite the same. Luckily, I got out of that this year, and I'm not taking either this year.

I guess your school is different, the football players rarely pull and creul pranks or anything. They may do drugs though.

They may have grown out of it by 12th grade, but in 10th grade they were quite happy to. The drugs... Well, it could just be that I come from a really rich school, but alchohol and drug abuse are fairly common amongst preps and jocks here. Especially on the Football team (which could be why it never wins).

I know that, and for papers and what not I use one, for NS I usualy dont unless its for an RP post. When its a word I dont use all that much I go to google. Also when I take the time to do it I reread my posts to catch the obvious things, but when your like me things dont always stick out as being wrong. Its just not my gift.

The best way to learn to write well is to write well regularly. Practice mistakes and you will make mistakes. I suggest that you make an effort with each and every post. You will find yourself improving quickly.

The best way to learn to write well is to write well regularly. Practice mistakes and you will make mistakes. I suggest that you make an effort with each and every post. You will find yourself improving quickly.
I agree with you on this one. I used to have very bad English, but, after I had a friend of mine proof read something of mine and show me how to properly construct my thoughts into a coherent manner, I put it into practice.

1)Creative insults
2)Marksmanship
3)Cthulhu worship

And the difference between not taking PE and not learning to spell is that not learning to spell harms you as a member of society. You see, if I find reading your work to be unpleasant and frustrating (which I do), I may not bother to read it. That means that your ability to speak out and express your opinion just went away.

The problum is that expressing things in the written form has never been my gift, now speeking is a compleatly differant ball game. I do admit I some times get lazy and don't bother. You do have to realize that being obease also harms you as a member of socioty and caues just as much frusteration as my being bad at spelling. It increases insurance rates for every one obease or not, it increases the price of comercial transprtation ect.

The best way to learn to write well is to write well regularly. Practice mistakes and you will make mistakes. I suggest that you make an effort with each and every post. You will find yourself improving quickly.

You and my teachers would get along famously, you really would, you have to understand that I have had every one telling me that for my whole school career . When it comes to content I can write well, its the presintation that can be off.

The problum is that expressing things in the written form has never been my gift, now speeking is a compleatly differant ball game. I do admit I some times get lazy and don't bother. You do have to realize that being obease also harms you as a member of socioty and caues just as much frusteration as my being bad at spelling. It increases insurance rates for every one obease or not, it increases the price of comercial transprtation ect.\

Forgive me, but.... Bullshit.

The effect it has is nowhere near as frustrating for readers as is trying to pick apart misspelled and misused words. People do not stop listening to you because you are fat (don't couch it in nice words. Obese is a great word, but what it is, is fat.). People do, however, stop listening to you if you are incomprehensible.

Insurance rates and comercial transportation costs do not rise significantly because of obesity. That's just nonsense.

\

Forgive me, but.... Bullshit.

The effect it has is nowhere near as frustrating for readers as is trying to pick apart misspelled and misused words. People do not stop listening to you because you are fat (don't couch it in nice words. Obese is a great word, but what it is, is fat.). People do, however, stop listening to you if you are incomprehensible.

Insurance rates and comercial transportation costs do not rise significantly because of obesity. That's just nonsense.

Looking back at my posts, yes things may be misspelled, but iam pritty sure that I have not misused any words.It a point of view, i dont find the way that I am frusteraiting but I do find fat people frusterating. I do actualy stop listening to some people who are fat when they start talking; when they start complaing that they are fat, you dont hear me complaining and i actualy make an effort to not be the way that I am.

1)Creative insults
2)Marksmanship
3)Cthulhu worship

Thats a class that I could take and pass with flying colors.

Looking back at my posts, yes things may be misspelled, but iam pritty sure that I have not misused any words.It a point of view, i dont find the way that I am frusteraiting but I do find fat people frusterating. I do actualy stop listening to some people who are fat when they start talking; when they start complaing that they are fat, you dont hear me complaining and i actualy make an effort to not be the way that I am.
Ow... that hurts my eyes so much.

Allow me to rewrite that for you.

Looking back at my posts, I realise that things may have been misspelt, but, I am pretty sure that I have misused any words. It is a point of view. I don't find the way that I am frustrating. But, I do find fat people frustrating. I do actually stop listening to some people who are fat, when they start complaining about how they are fat. You don't hear me complaining, and I actually make an effort not to be the way that I am.

There... isn't that better?

English (like grammar and spellign as well as comprehnsion).

Lol, irony.

Ow... that hurts my eyes so much.

Allow me to rewrite that for you.



There... isn't that better?

nope not really

The problum is that expressing things in the written form has never been my gift, now speeking is a compleatly differant ball game. I do admit I some times get lazy and don't bother. You do have to realize that being obease also harms you as a member of socioty and caues just as much frusteration as my being bad at spelling. It increases insurance rates for every one obease or not, it increases the price of comercial transprtation ect.

Of course, it is entierly possible to be healthy and not be any good at ball games. And some ballgames... How is a dodgeball player getting healthier by getting hit with a ball and sitting on the gym floor for 40 minutes?

There should be a physical education class, but it should be an actual class. Teaching kids about what sort of exercises get what kinds of results. What the effects of different kinds of foods are. What the effects of a high-fat diet vs. a simply high-calorie diet. That sort of thing. If, once that's done, kids want to exercise on their own time (especially recess) then that's up to them and their parents who will be signing them up for extra-ciricular activities.

Spelling will be a major hindrance on job applications (bring a dictionary. I do).

\

Forgive me, but.... Bullshit.

The effect it has is nowhere near as frustrating for readers as is trying to pick apart misspelled and misused words. People do not stop listening to you because you are fat (don't couch it in nice words. Obese is a great word, but what it is, is fat.). People do, however, stop listening to you if you are incomprehensible.

Insurance rates and comercial transportation costs do not rise significantly because of obesity. That's just nonsense.

Obese is not a nice word. Obese is worse than fat. Fat is a cosmetic problem. Obese means that your health and capacity for actual activity is diminished.

It's like saying "don't flatter him by calling him an idiot. He's a moron."

Math- how to do arithmetic, basic algebra, and how to use a TI-84+ SE calculator

Language- basics of language (i.e., how to speak/read to the point that people will understand you)

Common sense- basic things you need to know in order to survive (i.e., cooking, checkbooks, health, etc.)

Law and Philosophy- know the government and learn about thinking
-------------------------------------------------------------------
After those mandatory classes, you take the other ones as you please.

Whoosh! American cultural reference?

Oh you missed out!

Give him a paper clip, a toothpick, gum and a can of coke and he could make a nuclear device! :D

Ebonics.

Other classes: Basic Math (you know, basics, no geometry, which is useless), English (like grammar and spellign as well as comprehnsion) also Philosophy classes or religious classes to prevent prejudice and misinformation. Then a health class.

How is geometry useless?

Lol, irony.

:rolleyes: Maybe a class that teaches kids how to type properly.... :p

I can spell and comprehend very well, it's just that 99% of my posts have typos in them.

I agree with those who said "Philosophy". This is something that needs to be brought back to the lower levels of public schooling. Taught properly it can strengthen everything from critical and analytical thinking, to just culture. I think a harken back to Philosophical elements might have an effect on on the troubling anti-intellectual trend.

2 others?

Self-Expression
Human Conflict

When I was in High School (9th grade) we were required to take and pass a class on the Constitution of the United States. Apparently this isn't a requirement any more. I think it should be reinstated, but perhaps in the Junior or Senior rather than the Freshman year. We have so many people these days who have a profound lack of understanding of the Constitution and what it actually says, including, regretably, Senators, Congressmen, judges and other political figures that we are going to lose it altogether. Soon it will be no more than a nice document in a museum.

I suggest the amount of hours for PE should remain the same, but the kids should be able to choose what they want to do right from the start. If you want to run, run. If you want to swim, swim. If you want to play tennis, play tennis. But don't force someone who enjoys swimming to play tennis.

It's kinda like that here..

They teach weight lifting, health and fitness (and I hear that all they do in there is yoga..), and back when I had gym, we usually got to choose what we wanted to play... hell.. we could pick between ping pong, volley ball, basketball, dodgeball..

World History

World Religons

World Domination












Ok that last ones a joke:p

Ebonics.

Annd now for a serious post..

Public Speaking
Money Managment.. thingy.

Not nessecairaly required, but there should be an alternative Physical Education class, which teaches the rudiments of firearms, as well as self defense. Parent releases are required, and only after a number of months with non-firing guns and blank firing ones, will students be allowed to fire on a range. Students who are able to show their aptitude in obeying gun safety are allowed to advance into the second semester, where things like marksmanship and further safety are taught.

Would be a good class for those who aren't as physically fit as others. They still get a work-out with the self-defense, but its not the constant pushing that makes kids want to give up. Its something to get them involved in PE in a way thats actually somewhat interesting.

So is forcing a High School Student to take Chemistry that he or she will never use. I wasted 150 hours of my life taking that class, and I'll never use a whit of it. Why should we waste valueble education time on things which only certain students will learn?
You learn more than just biology in biology. You also learn memorization techniques and good studdy habbits.

Same reason everyone has to take math. You may never use a single thing you learn past grade 8, but thelogical thinking skills you develop more than make up for it.

When I was in High School (9th grade) we were required to take and pass a class on the Constitution of the United States. Apparently this isn't a requirement any more. I think it should be reinstated, but perhaps in the Junior or Senior rather than the Freshman year. We have so many people these days who have a profound lack of understanding of the Constitution and what it actually says, including, regretably, Senators, Congressmen, judges and other political figures that we are going to lose it altogether. Soon it will be no more than a nice document in a museum.

Eww...

I think they should do it how some colleges(at least my college) chooses a number of requirements: You take a test before entering, which judges aptitude in numerous areas. I would have hated an entire class on the constitution, as it was even more boring to me then as it is now(we studied the entire constitution in an advanced class in middle school, which didn't really even stick).

However, I would have much prefered to be able to study the constitution on my own(as I did in my government class, the final was a multiple choice test on the constitution... easy test, but got everyone to know it pretty well, as its a required class to graduate). I can understand required classes, but only ones that everyone really will need. Most people don't even vote, they dont need to know all the specifics of the constitution.

Dude. We waste enough instruction time in the gym as it is. PE is a waste of time that could be spent actually learning. Now if you want to mix a class with a workout (say, running an instructional video on geography), that would be OK, but wasting perfectly good class time working out isn't OK at all.

If people are going to be obese, that's their business, not the school's business, and certainly not yours.
But you are never going to seit go away. The principals want their school to have a high GPA so they can get a raise or promotion. They have found that adding gym to the cirriculum, even though it doesn't count, still boosted the GPA. Something to do with the students having more oxygen in there brain and being less restless.

You learn more than just biology in biology. You also learn memorization techniques and good studdy habbits.

Same reason everyone has to take math. You may never use a single thing you learn past grade 8, but thelogical thinking skills you develop more than make up for it.

But you learn these things in english, math, etc etc... already. Why pile on useless classes to learn things you are already learning?

Why not at least give ranges of alternatives, so that students can at least be marginally interested in the subject, while reinforcing these habits? Perhaps even better, as they want to learn these things.

In my high school, there was a huge focus on computers and computer maitenance. I can now confidently say I could fix almost anything wrong with my computer right now, except the damn virus that keeps coming back.

That being said, I think a good class on public behavior would be extremely helpful. Theres a lot of idiots in High School. Or just reinstate corporal punishment.

I'd say I agree with the problem solving thing mentioned earlier; jerry-rigging things to make them functional until the right means to fix them are aquired. Really an excellent idea, I think.

Most people don't even vote, they dont need to know all the specifics of the constitution.

If they want to keep anything resembling freedom, they need to vote and they need to be informed about the Constitution and the issues. Since the voting age is 18, I think the quarter long class should be required at the beginning of the senior year rather than in Middle School.

You make a valid point.

PE shouldn't be competitive. It should be about encouraging all students to tak part in physical activity. By having sports that require skill, less skilled students can be very easily discouraged.

Having arobics class or all-purpose class where the main goal is to learn about ways to stay fit, is better than having students learn how to play sports. That's what school teams are for.

The other problem is the grading system.

They should simply have a participation mark. How much did the student partake? They get a higher grade simply for taking part.

I never much cared for basketball or any of that stuff, but when the teacher had us doing arobics and let us use the weight room it was better.

Or... they could have two versions of PE, one that is strictly sports and another that is arobic, that uses the weight room, if there is one and uses regular arobic workouts, that includes yoga, pilates etc, and allows for the students to go at their own pace.
Our school had that. It was called Fitness and Conditioning, more commonly FitCon or Boot Camp. Anybody could get through that class, but it only had enough students for one class. The kids that hated gym never took it because it was harder to not participate.

If they want to keep anything resembling freedom, they need to vote and they need to be informed about the Constitution and the issues. Since the voting age is 18, I think the quarter long class should be required at the beginning of the senior year rather than in Middle School.

Last time I checked, protecting freedom has never been in any class description that I've taken.

Students dont have to, and often wont vote when they turn 18, and for much longer after that. A constitution class is a class that has no job applicable skills other than political ones, and wont ever apply to about half the population, nor help the vast majority of students do better in life. Its a waste of educational time, quite simply.

Because they are necessary to public interaction. The schools were origionally meant to teach students to take part in a democracy. English, like History, is one of the skills you need to have when it comes to being an intelligent voter.

An intelligent voter has to read for detail, a skill you learn in English; Understand complex speeches, a skill you learn in English; Be capable of writing and expressing opinions in a way others can understand, a skill you learn in, gasp, English.

See?
Why is it the governments buisness if she is smart. Its her buisness and her buisness only.

Ow... that hurts my eyes so much.

Allow me to rewrite that for you.



There... isn't that better?
No. They read abouut he same as each other. Unless you go looking for the errors you probably won't notice them until the start to detract from the meaning of the sentance.

The Human brain does not need the help of capitals and full stops to understand a language.

Really?

How do you pronounce the word 'polish'?

Explain what happens in the following text: john was going to kill a man sat behind him - is John going to kill man who is sitting behind him, or should we view this as two sentences, one explaining John's intentions, and a separate sentence telling us that a man has just sat down behind John?

Obviously readin' ritin' rithmatic

Beyond that a true communications class. Not just a platform speaking class. A class that covers all types of communications.

But you learn these things in english, math, etc etc... already. Why pile on useless classes to learn things you are already learning?

Why not at least give ranges of alternatives, so that students can at least be marginally interested in the subject, while reinforcing these habits? Perhaps even better, as they want to learn these things.
We get a choice here. But the sad part is, the sciences tend to build up one or two areas, while humanities build a few other skills and languages build something different, etc. All the skills are nessesary, but you cannot just teach logic skills or abstract thinking. You need to force the student to use the skills they have to better them. Which is an incredibly slow way to learn. So, you either have to push a student through classes you do not want to be in, or graduate a group of students who will be missing a few unteachable skills that employers demand.

If you you can figure out haw to make History teach spacial reasoning, we can through these requirements out the window, but I doubt that will happen any time soon.

Not nessecairaly required, but there should be an alternative Physical Education class, which teaches the rudiments of firearms, as well as self defense.

Wouldn't that be ROTC?

I think there should be "Idiocy studies" in which children analyse the reasons why the majority of the adult population is so intolerant and reactionary. Hell, I could've done with that lesson, cos Im about to go to university and I still dont understand why this is! :rolleyes:

Trying to teach honesty in the way you suggest would be either ineffective, or simply brainwashing. Whether it's one or the other depends entirely on the age of the class, and the severity of the punishments. A very young class could be molded in this way, but they would not be learning to descide for themselves to be honest, they would be being conditioned to be honest. An older class would be mature enough to resist such conditioning, and to make themselves apart from the system, being honest only because they know honesty will be rewarded.

The other two classes make sense. I would like to add one more to the list: Personal Finance. Because the majority of people recently out of high school I've met are ass deep in credit card debt for no good reason.

Haven't read through the entire thread...sorry if I repeat.

The problem with modern education is that it is based on the increasing inability of parents to provide a stable environment for their child to enhance their life skills. The job is then thrust onto the educator. Now a teacher must teach not only the major subjects, but also what to eat, integrity, fitness, respect, ethics. All of these things should be taught by the parents at home.

The problem comes when you realize that a portion of parents do teach these things but their children are retaught these things at school, an obvious waste of time and effort. Those students should spend less time at school.

The students whose parents are unable to get their act together then force their classmates to sit through a lesson they have already learned. Since they don't have the schema for education it must be taught to them yet there is not enough time in a school day because the school day was set up for teaching only the basic curriculum. These students need more time in school.

How is geometry useless?

When people don't get something is usually when they figure them useless.

1. Statistics

I can't believe how little most people understand statistics. And as such, they're easily frightened by the poor use of statistics in popular media (or by the government.

2. Economics

Look, if you're going to vote for someone based on an economic platform, shouldn't you understand economics first?

3. Game Theory

The world is full of manipulative people. Don't let them win.

Wouldn't that be ROTC?

Not really. For starters, none of the high schools around here have ROTC, much less as an alternative for PE. Second, I could be wrong, but it seems that ROTC usually doesn't tell much about firearms, just the ways of the military.

I counter-disagree. P.E. is very important, and not boring at all, and we obviously don't have enough P.E. as it is, seeing that childhood obesity and obesity in general is on the rise. And I don't know how large your school is, but walking from the farthest part part way from the gym to the gym in the school is nowhere near enough exercise.
PE is the biggest load of BS. I already play a sport almost year-round - other schools exempt their students if they play a school sport, why can't mine?!

If they want to keep anything resembling freedom, they need to vote and they need to be informed about the Constitution and the issues. Since the voting age is 18, I think the quarter long class should be required at the beginning of the senior year rather than in Middle School.

At my school, students are required to take a semester-long course on government during senior year, and we study the constitution in history during junior year. Do you think that that is enough, or do you feel that more is needed?