What they dont but should teach in school

**imagine** · 09-25-2009, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by justpeachy92

The fact the schools no longer teach cursive handwriting gets me. What good is knowing how to balance a checkbook, if you don't know how to write your signature?

Public school here. My daughter is in thrid. They started a bit of cursive writing in second but most of it is learned in thrid. After the all the lessons are taught they will be required to write on work in cursive. Same rule applies in fourth all papers is cursive, (then somepaper in fifth)

My oldest is in middle school now and he can use what ever writing he prefers. Seems to me most boys have switched back to print while of most girls have stuck with cursive.

As for signatures ( even adults) have you noticed how many you can't read? Are some even cursive at all?

**monkeywrangler71** · 09-25-2009, 08:48 AM

I see a lot of people defending the removal of cursive writing from schools. Apparently it's a useless skill, and people can get by fine in life with printing and typing. Then they say something about how they haven't used it since 4th grade and they can print just as fast.

Really, I'd love to know how anyone could get through their entire life without having to READ cursive. That's the problem, when you stop teaching it, no one is going to know how to read it anymore. Then every pre-electronic document is lost to us.

**pat in east texas** · 09-25-2009, 09:38 AM

I think kids should be taught money management in school, but it's what is learned at home that will stick with them. A few will benefit from a school course in money management, but it's really the responsibility of parents to reinforce school learning with good example at home.

**littleplum** · 09-25-2009, 10:43 AM

That class used to be called Home Economics. Sadly, along with Art, Physical Education, and Shop, classes like that are considered "optional" or "elective." I love math and science, but kids need more than that to get a well rounded education. History classes were also really lacking when I was in high school, which was barely more than 10 years ago.

**imagine** · 09-25-2009, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by monkeywrangler71

I see a lot of people defending the removal of cursive writing from schools. Apparently it's a useless skill, and people can get by fine in life with printing and typing. Then they say something about how they haven't used it since 4th grade and they can print just as fast.

Really, I'd love to know how anyone could get through their entire life without having to READ cursive. That's the problem, when you stop teaching it, no one is going to know how to read it anymore. Then every pre-electronic document is lost to us.

I agree!
Everyone so need to learn to read cursive. So much history would be lost if you couldn't decipher cursive. It would truly be sad.

**spyzvixxen** · 09-25-2009, 01:16 PM

I would like to see a home economics class that doesn't just teach you how to cook. At least that's all I remember about mine. I would like to see the curriculum should include financial responsibility, frugality, laundry & cleaning. They had a sewing class but that was separate. I think it should really touch upon each piece of running a household.

**Minner77** · 09-25-2009, 02:42 PM

I give a big "ditto" to everything everyone is writing.... from cursive to lack of discipline to (lack of) dress code to cell phones, etc. I've been subbing a lot lately from elementary to high school, including general ed (those needing additional help), and have seen all you've been writing about.

Just yesterday I gave tests in several classes and noticed not a single junior used cursive. The 5th grade teacher I'd just subbed for said she insists her students learn for a variety of reasons, among them the fact that others, such as adults, use it, and students need to learn it. Makes sense to me.

Won't go on re the need for lifeskills, as it's been well-articulated here. Just wish our own sons had learned from our example: we sat down with them many times and explained money, economics, real life -- and discussed such things in context, too, of course -- but neither can hang onto a penny, much less a dime. Add me to the list of frustrated (and worried) moms.

BTW, Thevail, intriguing concept re letting your daughter run the household. I bet that was a real eye-opener, and I wonder if it would have helped our older two boys with a no-fooling reality check. It might be outside my DH's comfort zone (I'm guessing it is), but maybe there's a chance to reach DS3?

Great discussion!
~M

**littleplum** · 09-25-2009, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by spyzvixxen

I would like to see a home economics class that doesn't just teach you how to cook. At least that's all I remember about mine. I would like to see the curriculum should include financial responsibility, frugality, laundry & cleaning. They had a sewing class but that was separate. I think it should really touch upon each piece of running a household.

A home economics class that only teaches cooking is really just a cooking class.

I would like to know how schools get away with offering a cooking class and calling it Home Economics.

**imagine** · 09-25-2009, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by littleplum

A home economics class that only teaches cooking is really just a cooking class.

I would like to know how schools get away with offering a cooking class and calling it Home Economics.

Cooking class when I was is school was called "Foods" and it included nutrition.