I stand by that every class-year should begin with an explanation of why you’re expected to learn the topic and what skills you’re expected to develop in the class, along with a paragraph or two sent to the parents on it. It won’t fix everything, but it will encourage students to quit thinking of their literature classes as a waste of time because they’re going into STEM or that their science classes are a waste because they aren’t.
I hated civics class and thought it was boring, but my mom made clear I was inheriting this country and I needed to know how it worked so I paid attention and by the end I was the sort of person who doesn’t avoid jury duty and who doesn’t resent paying taxes, just what’s done with thst money. Similar for learning to write and speak from my father who made clear that a stem job involves a lot of writing and public speaking.
I absolutely hated school until I got to college and took a C++ class. Suddenly I was having a blast because I could see purpose in what I was doing.
The reality of it is some people are good little drones who can work on pointless tasks because they were told to and people who aren’t and need to see why they’re doing what they’re doing.
Imo the gifted programs didn’t reward people because they were smart but because they were obedient.
I stand by that every class-year should begin with an explanation of why you’re expected to learn the topic and what skills you’re expected to develop in the class, along with a paragraph or two sent to the parents on it. It won’t fix everything, but it will encourage students to quit thinking of their literature classes as a waste of time because they’re going into STEM or that their science classes are a waste because they aren’t.
I hated civics class and thought it was boring, but my mom made clear I was inheriting this country and I needed to know how it worked so I paid attention and by the end I was the sort of person who doesn’t avoid jury duty and who doesn’t resent paying taxes, just what’s done with thst money. Similar for learning to write and speak from my father who made clear that a stem job involves a lot of writing and public speaking.
I agree 100%
I absolutely hated school until I got to college and took a C++ class. Suddenly I was having a blast because I could see purpose in what I was doing.
The reality of it is some people are good little drones who can work on pointless tasks because they were told to and people who aren’t and need to see why they’re doing what they’re doing.
Imo the gifted programs didn’t reward people because they were smart but because they were obedient.