Sorry I couldn't resist that title.OK - so we all are privy to the rhetoric and news both pro-saddam removal and anti-war (not that they are mutually exclusive
but you know what I mean) But my thoughts are with the generation of our children (American kids ~8-18) that are in the public school system. Please keep in mind that I attended a relatively small High School and my mother was a teacher while you interpret/judge my thoughts.I keep hearing on the news about how teachers are being encouraged to promote discussion (age appropriate) during their classes. That scares me a little for some of the following reasons:
1- America's school system has liberal/left tendencies. Why allow idealistic, misinformed, or dominating teachers to shape discussion on this topic?
2- Should kids be subjected to the ridicule that may surface from "discussions?"
3- Discussion doesn't seem to be confined to Social Studies/ History classes. - Why have English, Math, and Science teachers waste time on things they know little about?
Now to answer and explain my questions.
1- As much as I feel school should be about experiencing and learning about "life" I don't think people who *may* not have a realistic view on life should be sculpting our children?s minds. I saw plenty of idealism even in the small school I attended. Example - "P.O.P.S" - Power of Positive Students - WTF? Like we needed to have an assembly to hand out certificates just so we could feel good about ourselves? I'm sure if you look back (or pay attention now if you are in HS) you will see all the hippie hooray stuff that goes on. Now I'm not saying that award ceremonies are bad but they need to be based on Achievement not some subjective view of students "positive thinking." Kids are in school to LEARN! not be taught life- that is the Parent's job.
2- Debate is good for kids to have, but this subject can bring a lot of hate and ridicule with it. Take for instances ? Joe Middle Eastern decent guy ? who is a Muslim. How can he feel comfortable stating his side when he has 100+ Johnny All American Jocks in his class? Now my analogy is quite extreme so let?s tone it down for all you ?propaganda Nazis?. Say Jill Sillylastname?s parents are quite liberal and attend a peace rally. Jill should feel proud of her parents should she not? But what if Johnny All American Jock?s parents are conservative and support the war ? should he not feel proud of his parents too? The problem comes in when Johnny and Jill are in Math class (we?ll get to this later) and the discussion gets going and it turns into a flame fest ? ala ATOT? Both these kids who more than likely share their parent?s views end up mad at each other. What does that prove? Nothing! Hence my point that impressionable/immature kids don?t need to be prodded into these discussions by teachers who may not know how to handle ATOT syndrome (flaming)
3- Now as to this one?.This is by far the worst in my mind. I can see discussion about the War ? Pros & Cons in History and Social Studies classes where the teacher is usually more informed on world societies/history, but to encourage English, Math, and Science teachers to take time away from studies is ludicrous. The reason our kids are in school is to LEARN! You know ? math, reading and writing ? the things kids need to learn to graduate (unless they ?ball? good
) Why take away time that these kids need to learn REAL subject matter to discuss something they may or may not comprehend? I remember back during the first Gulf War, we had discussions about it in History and Social studies classes but for the most part we kept on task in other classes. I?m sure someone will come along and poke holes in my post but I don?t care ? I just wanted to see what people are thinking about ?side-effects? of this war. I?m just glad my kids are too little to know what is going on and that I?LL be the one informing them of things instead of some underpaid school teacher. Should the school/teachers ignore what is going on ? NO!, but they should at least realize there are places and times for such discussions to take place. Yes there is a war going on but kids still need to be taught.
Have at it ?ATOT on a Mod?s short leash?(AT War Forum
)CkG
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