aworthen

----- Original Message -----
From: Kim <topazkim@...>
To: huuh-l <huuh-l@...>
Sent: Monday, July 17, 2000 8:18 AM
Subject: The Importance of Following a Strict School Curriculum


> >
> >
> > I received this off another list I am on.
> Kim
> > >
> > >
> > >>The Importance of Following a Strict School
> > Curriculum
> > >>
> > >>By Jan Hunt
> > >>
> > >>It has come to my attention that there are
> > actually some children out
> > >>there who want to "home school" and don't
> > understand the value of
> > >>following a school curriculum. Here is an open
> > letter to any child who
> > >>feels that the school curriculum is not important:
> > >>
> > >>There can be no question that following a strict
> > curriculum helps to
> > >>prepare you for adult life. I, for one, am
> > grateful to have followed a
> > >>strict school curriculum, as the information which
> > I learned in my
> > >>classes has proven to be so useful in my life. For
> > example, I had two
> > >>years of Latin, and although I hated it at the
> > time, it has been
> > >>immensely useful for solving crossword puzzles.
> > And such topics as
> > >>solid geometry can come in very handy if you
> > decide to become a
> > >>geometry teacher. And of course, there is always
> > the slight chance
> > >>that you will become one of the handful of
> > scientists who will
> > >>actually use geometry in your career, and why wait
> > until college to learn
> > >>it?
> > >>You wouldn't want to be behind the other two guys
> > who made that career
> > >>choice.
> > >>
> > >>Although curriculums have developed over many
> > years, and enormous
> > >>effort has been put into their preparation, still
> > there might be
> > >>just a few skills and interests which were not
> > covered in your
> > >>particular school. After all, they can only cover
> > so much material
> > >>in 11,000 hours! Don't worry about this; you can
> > always purchase
> > >>courses at your local community college in such
> > minor topics as
> > >>dealing constructively with anger, responding
> > helpfully to a crying
> > >>baby, performing household and auto repairs,
> > choosing a satisfying
> > >>career, selecting a compatible mate, spending time
> > comfortably with
> > >>those not born in your birth year, spending time
> > comfortably alone,
> > >>communicating clearly with the opposite sex,
> > finding information on
> > >>topics all by yourself, balancing a budget,
> > filling out tax forms,
> > >>identifying personal interests, communicating with
> > relatives,
> > >>selecting a rewarding hobby, helping a frustrated
> > toddler, selecting a
> > diet
> > >>which meets your personal nutritional needs,
> > successful intervention of
> > >>conflict situations, negotiating successfully with
> > those who disagree
> > >>with you, and above all, finding a well-paying
> > job to pay for all
> > >>these extra classes.
> > >>
> > >>But you don't have to wait until you graduate to
> > pursue those
> > >>interests not covered at your school; after you
> > get home each day and
> > after
> > >>spending two or three hours on homework, household
> > chores and
> > >>competitive sports, there will always be a few
> > minutes left to pursue
> > >>personal interests. Remember, you are really the
> > only one who knows
> > >>what interests you, and learning takes place
> > most readily when you
> > >>are interested in the topic, so those few minutes
> > a day are very
> > >>important. Just be sure to do all your homework
> > and sports first, so
> > >>your friends won't be jealous of how you spend
> > your time. Friendships
> > >>are important too. In fact, probably the most
> > important reason to
> > >>follow a strict curriculum is that not only your
> > friends, but your parents
> > >>and teachers won't feel resentful. They all had to
> > follow a curriculum,
> > >>and they would feel very jealous if you don't. And
> > since you are just a
> > >>child, their feelings are a lot more important
> > than yours. So it is really
> > >>fortunate that they have the power to force you to
> > do things the same
> > >>way they had to. Don't worry about this- you'll
> > get your chance to
> > >>throw your weight around with your own kids!
> > >>
> > >>Perhaps you've heard rumors that homeschooling
> > kids who follow
> > >>their own interests score a little higher- just a
> > few years- than
> > >>school kids on academic and social skills. Don't
> > let this worry you.
> > Unlike
> > >>these spoiled kids, you'll always be able to find
> > work, because you're
> > >>learning the important lesson of doing what you're
> > told, and our
> > >>society will always need people who are willing to
> > do the boring jobs.
> > >Think
> > >>how proud you'll feel, taking on responsibilities
> > that others refuse
> > >>to do, simply because it doesn't "interest" them.
> > It's a good feeling to
> > >>be needed and appreciated!
> > >>
> > >>Above all, don't worry about missing a few topics.
> > After all, where
> > >>else but in school can you learn the really
> > valuable life skills like
> > blind
> > >>obedience, blending in with the crowd, fearing
> > authority figures,
> > >>submerging bad feelings into the subconscious, and
> > understanding
> > >>the dog-eat-dog nature of reality?
> > >>
> > >>Stay in school and do what they tell you to do,
> > right or wrong. How
> > >>else can you grow up to be a solid citizen who
> > doesn't make waves?
> > >>----
> > >>
> > >>This article was originally published in Compleat
> > Mother.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
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