Should there be a HS class that focuses on life (not biology)

My dad was a middle school principal and experimented with something a little like this. I remember they added an extra class period at the end of the day, made each period a little shorter to fit it in. So, basically, at the end of the day, you went to a class where the subject would change every six weeks. I don't remember all of the classes I took in that format, but one of them that was really helpful was on basic etiquette. We learned which utensils to use at a fancy dinner/restaurant, how to dress in formal situations, how to treat a guy/girl on a formal date.

We had six different classes that lasted six weeks each that year in that format. I don't remember all of them, but it was a lot of practical/interesting stuff. IIRC, students that were struggling on the state standard exams went to a remedial exam prep class instead of the classes I described above.

 

Then you either have a dreadful job or are sociable, decisive and white and male enough to get a management or good sales gig. You can find out all that other crap online or in whatever the hell brochure came with the related product.

 

Home economics would have traditionally provided a lot of hat you ask for, except changing a tire. The economics and personal finance classes we had when I was in high school covered interest rates and responsible use of credit cards. Judging from the number of kids that get not trouble with credit cards while at college...nobody listened.

 

They teach personal finances in some high schools which covers most of what you described. I agree that this should be more popular across the country. On changing tires, I think they assume your parent will take care of that.

 

Yes! i've always wanted to teach a finance class to high school students that was actually practical. i think some some schools have made the class a part of the cirriculum now. i'm so glad to see that. a lot of financial problems stem from ignorance. i've already started talking to 13 year old niece about money, investing, banking, etc.

good for you body slam for recognizing you could have used the help. it's never too late. there's lots of free info online about the subjects you mentioned. i learned a lot of it by myself, and you are right. it's been more useful to me than school.

 

So you want a class that teaches about financial mathematics and you still don't understand what role algebra plays in your life?

Anyhow, yeah there should be a class that clearly shows you how to apply math into those situations you are talking about. A "lifehacking.com"-type skills class wouldn't be bad either.

 

Are you implying that algebra plays a role in all other jobs except the ones above? With the exceptions of professions like engineering, I'd say most white collar jobs in America rarely use algebra.

 

My home ec. class taught me how to do cross-stitch. I made a birdhouse which I put into a clock.

 

Personal finance and public speaking are subjects sorely lacking in public education curricula. Infinitely more important than studying literature.

They should be taught in every grade, but at most it's usually an elective towards the end of high school.

 

Or parents could do more....parenting.

 

Interest rates and insurance are two very complicated subjects.

 

They showed us how to change a tire in Driver's Ed. though most already knew how.

spoken like someone who has no kids.

 

It's been a long time since I was in High School but don't they still have classess like "Home Ecenomics" and "Shop" and "Building & Trades"?

 

Nope.

 

They have a class, it's called counseling. Too bad you only get in if you're in trouble. All you HS kids out there, start misbehaving...The **** you learn from a talk with your counselor beats algebra any day.

 

I've never taken physics before in high school, nor college.

That's why I'm now a bit struggling with life.

 

It was called Home Ec
etc.
I think they outlawed it *chuckle*

I think they felt classes like those drove students to 'traditional'
roles and felt they were 'limiting'
and they wanted to break from tradition

Rocket River