You make the curriculum, now what's in it??

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Forums > All Posts > You make the curriculum, now what's in it??

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2011-02-21 05:12 PM

sbfriedman
Denton, TX
Posts: 931

Lets pretend. Let's say you have your very own school, with thousands of kids and it is your job to choose what subjects should be taught and why. Yes, you make the curriculum. So, what subjects would you include and which would you discard? Don't get caught up on ages, just think of the general education of our youth from kindergarten to high school graduation.

2011-02-21 05:32 PM

sbfriedman
Denton, TX
Posts: 931

Options are endless. But, I think this would be my list:

Mathematics
English
Grammar and Spelling
Science
History
Health
Art
Philosophy
World Religions
Home Economics
Physical Education
Computer Skills
Technology
Music
Money Management and Finance
Speech
Socializing
Sex Education
Logic, Reason and Practical Application

I think that includes everything that is pertinent to living in the world today. I'm sure I left out a thing or two, but if you were properly schooled in all the above, you should be equipped to navigate the world with little naivety.

The stipulation to every subject would be that it would have to be taught with the child grasping and applying the material in real world application, not just passing some test from memorizing useless facts doomed to be forgotten as soon as the test is over. Indoctrination is not the way. Proper education should be presenting material and new ideas with respect to the learner. Show them the value of intelligence and find ways to get children to integrate these subjects into their eventual independent lives. Ideally speaking that is. I know that my list is not anything new. Most if not all are subjects already on most curricula. Some are electives and some are mandatory.

So, that's mine. What did I leave out? Which subjects of mine would you not include?

2011-02-22 08:51 AM

Schmidt
Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 1058

I like all of the above.

Perhaps not a subject by itself, but some of these courses should emphasize writing. I hired many new graduates in my working days, but the one deficiency that many of them had was the ability to express their analysis and thoughts in a coherent manner. I actually had to send some to special classes in writing because the university hadn't done their job.

The philosophy class would be a good one to emphasize both critical thinking skills and putting those thoughts into writing. Plato's Republic with his Allegory of the Cave would be a good starting point.

I especially like your inclusion of Logic, Reason and Application to emphasize critical thinking...also World Religion. In this 21st century where globalization is such an import aspect of our economy and trade, religion is an integral part of politics in many countries. We cannot continually treat other religions as inferior to Chritianity, as many Christians do. We could use a healthy dose of religious tolerance and that starts with understanding.

Home economics is also good. Many of the foreclosures might have been avoided if people had not succumbed to the phony "zero down payment" temptation of the lending institutions in buying a home. Ditto for credit card debt.

Good list overall. The only other thing I might add is a foreign language...preferably Spanish because of our US demographics. Also Chinese Mandarin and Hindi.

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