tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591161144028351766.post8192338480522313597..comments2023-06-06T04:35:47.588-06:00Comments on Black with a chance of Cheetah: What is School For?Danica Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13318273375412870665noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591161144028351766.post-28282393810514703852013-09-12T12:58:53.205-06:002013-09-12T12:58:53.205-06:00I think school is for getting a job and changing t...I think school is for getting a job and changing the world. <br />I like the idea of discovering yourself too but I think that can happen just as much outside of the classroom as it can inside. It may happen along the way but I don't think it should be the purpose of school. I think school is where future leaders are taught the base of things they need to know to be a leader and change things. <br />Maybe I don't really understand but I think the first two theories kind of go hand in hand. You learn information that helps you develop skills to get a job. <br />But I hate theories. Theories suck. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01998759916393643006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591161144028351766.post-46076821460295709442013-09-11T11:03:45.204-06:002013-09-11T11:03:45.204-06:00OK, I'm trying not to take it personally that ...OK, I'm trying not to take it personally that you called an English degree useless and then proceeded to say that math and history are useful. I certainly find value in what I teach and in my degree. And I've been told that you can pretty much do anything with an English degree, and go in any direction as it increases literacy, writing, and other communication skills. I haven't used geometry to my knowledge, though I will say basic algebra has been useful. So I guess there are several angles to that issue. <br /><br />I don't think it's worthwhile to discuss what things/subjects should be cut out and what things should be included. In my opinion, the more knowledge, the better. Knowledge is power. I may not enjoy math or be very good at it, but I recognize its importance and the thinking skills it promotes. I recognize that knowing how to do those things sharpens my abilities. I think that's awesome. Why not learn how to play an instrument? <br /><br />I feel like school is for all of the above, and maybe that's where we go wrong. Certainly, information and ideas are necessary as references to solve current issues. Definitely, school should provide necessary skills for employment. Hopefully, students are growing and discovering themselves. <br /><br />The way we accomplish this is by exposing them to everything possible. The idea of allowing exploratory and elective courses is a great way to do this. <br /><br />I think the ideas we discuss in English are valuable in gaining self-awareness and in becoming a productive citizen who can help to cure societal ills, in an articulate and powerful way. <br /><br />In short, I certainly can't choose just one. I think school is for all of these things, and that's why I get so sad when physical education, art, and music programs get cut: We lose the chance for a student to discover a talent or passion, or just for them to be exposed to different things. <br /><br />My students need to get to know themselves better. But they also need to get outside of themselves and consider other perspectives. They need skills in comprehension, writing, arguing, and presenting. These things will help them in society and as skills for work... I'm rambling. Sorry. Janaehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15298424083759149856noreply@blogger.com