Want lessons do you think SHOULD be taught in schools ?

[lawstudentmum]

I was talking with my daughter and we were discussing if she felt that lessons are relevant for todays children...have they moved enough with the times?

For example French, German etc have always been taught - but are they still the languages that children should be learning?

RE ?

So I put the question out there - what lessons would you like to see your children learn ?

I'd remove sex ed too. That's another job for the parents. Biology covers reproduction.

How teachers can communicate politely and respectfully with parents

But you can support the development of self esteem through your teaching

Absolutely, and your school experiences are very influential on self-esteem, albeit being called "an illiterate moron" doesn't seem to have harmed me too much . That teacher was a bit of a character!

However, I don't think there need to be specific lessons dedicated to it.

Self esteem is something that is naturally inherent in us all.
Life wears us down and we start to believe ill of ourselves.
There are ways that we can be taught how to recapture our self esteem.

I wouldn't advocate specific lessons, just a teaching style that is positive and esteems the kids and teachers.
One that allows children to examine any negative self beliefs and to realise that they are not true.
Too many people think material goods build esteem.
Belief in one's own abilities and in one's own goodness as a person is what builds esteem.

english lit and lang
maths
science (physics, chemisrty and biology)
sport
RE
computer studies
home studies : how does the washing machine work,ironing, cooking, cleaning, shopping ( this is in response to another post that men can't do anything around the house so may be they need to be taught!!), gardening
history
geography( including where places are !)

car maintance I would miss but maybe that could be included to when you take your driving test?

I'd like to see maths split into two: mathematics and arithmetic.

Seeing a child struggling with something in the maths curriculum which is quite basic - eg all angles in a triangle add up to 180 degrees - is a shame. Seeing them failing to understand that if 3+4 = 7, then 23+4 = 27 and is NOT a much harder sum is tragic.

Not everyone uses mathematics on a daily basis. Everyone uses arithmetic.

I would recommend the invention of a cosy abbreviation. "Arith" doesn't cut it...

Balloon - sums?

home studies : how does the washing machine work,ironing, cooking, cleaning, shopping ( this is in response to another post that men can't do anything around the house so may be they need to be taught!!), gardening

Those should be taught at home. My brothers learned such things - they are both well over 50 so its not a newfangled idea.

'Self esteem' is possibly an overrated concept. An ability to realistically assess ones own strengths and weaknessess, and to esteem others too might be more helpful - though not something for the national curriculum!

Yes English grammar.

And teaching them to speak the blooming language they have studied for x number of years frustrated host to many A* - but largely incapable of uttering one word of French- GCSE students emoticon

Great idea, Grimma! SUMS!

Make that woman the Minister for Education!

OMG. so it is...I am so sorry - how many times have I looked at this post aswell and never have I spotted the spelling mistake - I need to go back to school !!

Thanks for pointing it out - and it took me ages to see it too - which is a worry.

The Basics:
Maths
English - with emphasis more on writing than literature
Science
History
Some physical exercise
A MFL

Everyone should know:

Typing

Economics
Finance (personal and business)
Public speaking and how to give a decent Powerepoint presentation
Philosophy/critical thinking
Statistics
Politics/civics
Skills for work - careers, networking, project management, how organisations work

Things to make optional

RE
GAMES
GEOGRAPHY
ART
MUSIC
TECH