What do they teach in school

Teacher

We have 2 clerks who work nights & weekends part-time in the drugstore with me, both of whom, are juniors in high school. I asked the general question to both of them: "What happened on December 7, 1941?"
Neither had a clue, so I continued:
"Ok, Pearl Harbor...."
Both still gave me the deer in the headlights stare. I gave them more:
"Ok, Pearl Harbor was bombed. By Whom?"
"The Germans!" one girl replied.
"No, the Taliban!" the other blurted out....

Ok..... I explained that it was the Japanese, then asked:
"What war was that a part of?"
"World War One!" was the first response.
"Korea, my grandad was in that one!" was the other response.

My question would WHAT HAVE THEY BEEN TEACHING THESE FOLKS IN HISTORY CLASS????

Just my observations.....
Tommy D.

Math and Reading are WAY more important than what happened many years ago, at least in my opinion. What happened in the past is over, when someone can tell me what's going to happen tomorrow I'll listen. OR how about this? Why don't we ever focus on TODAY???

I shall digress from even responding to this statement here, as I, like others, come here to learn about and discuss my old Ford tractor that I love dearly. I consider everyone here my "e-Friends", and have gained way too much to jeopardize my prescence on this board to start a flaming response.

I would, however, encourage you to think, atleast for a moment, about all the folks that have died to make it possible for you to rebuild your motor in peace, and in freedom from worrying about some feller named Adolph still in power, or as the case is now, some terrorist wanting to kill you.

You are entitled to this opinion, and able to express it publicly because of events (like Pearl Harbor) in history, and I respect you and your opinion.

Good luck with your engine.

Tommy D.

It teaches the struggles one has to do to have privaleges. Nothing in life is free, it all comes at a price.

Unfortunately, the price that was paid for you and I to post our thoughts was paid for by blood of our ancestors, brothers, uncles.

To me, can't speak for others, it's respect and gratitude for someone else paying the ultimate price for my benefit.

The parents of those kids are probably in the same boat. Each Dec 7 in my 37 years of life we've discussed the significance of this day at home (no I don't remember the early years -- siblings do). We watched men walk on the moon and welcomed dad's brothers home from a far away war as a family--we learned a lot from those two events cause Dad-Mom pointed out the hardwork & sacrifices that were made --not because a teacher said read pages 43-59 for a quiz Friday. You remember what is important in your life to you...what becomes important to you is instilled early on before the schooling begins. Hate to pick on your example but that day in question should be taught by the parents as well as the school.

You are more than welcome to pick on my example, and I agree. I tell my 4-year old on a regular basis about how "really bad men" killed innocent folks recently for no reason, and how her "Cousin Blake", currently with the 82nd ABD in Iraq, is keeping them from hurting us any more...Ever!

She starts "big girl school" next fall, and I plan to be a big part of her studies - Probably more than she will like. From someone who had to work his way through college, I know how important it is to gain knowlegde AND understanding - in all subjects.

Thanks!
Tommy D.

What should we be teaching our children? List the items. Respect, common courtesy, honesty, integrity, national pride - sense of community, discipline, self maintenance (diet, work ethic,hobbies,self motivation,smoking is bad,god is good...)100% of this should come/start from home.

Reading and reading as a lifelong hobby should start at home as should elementary math.

What are we not teaching today's children? Today's kids seem to be more wordly than yesterday's kids...what has changed -- the worlds changing? I don't have the answers not even close seems like the problem is not the schools. If there are issues with the young ones we should all step up to the plate and be better role models/active in community programs --aint going to happen...blame the schools its easier.

Please visit a local program to see and assist and also note that the President wants to end Carl Perkins Funding because "only English and Math is important"

Need to sign off now, five students just came in 6:30 am to have morning coffee with me

Bruce Farr
Educator and proud of the job

Almost failed my English class when I wrote a paper pointing out how many students when on to vocation and how few went on to play college sports and none went on to play pro. Not a smart thing to do when the English teacher was the basketball coach.

I guess I got some people torqued up with the jab about salaries, but I think that 99% of all the teachers are doing a good job and are in the profession because they want to make a difference, not get rich. There are a few bad apples in every bushel, who hasn't worked with someone who won't pull their weight? In the NH baler factory years ago, the guys on the line would tell the new guy, you do it right and you do it well, or we'll send you down the line with the baler.

The point I was trying to make with the post was that a lot of parents look at school as a place to park their kids during the day, so they can run them around at night.

Amen to all those who remember what our parents taught us, and what we try to pass on to our kids. It's an uphill battle though, when as you see above, sports, etc consume big $$$, and nobody gripes about their taxes for that. (Ok some of us do...)

It doesn't help when the politicians convince everybody that the teachers are the great evil, and that we need to "pay for performance". That just means they get to bulk up somebodies wallet for all the "testing". Remember, if those "children are left behind", then the government get to privatize the school. Then, there is no local representation on how our tax $ get spent.

Teachers - keep up the good work! I'm glad for what you did for me, and for my children. Everybody on the forum - go to your school board meetings and start asking for answers there. That's why we live in a democracy, let's show our kids what that means..... .