Well, this is why schools would need someone like me to teach the class, not some teacher who isn't trained for it. I actually know what I'm talking about. *G*
As far as history, think about it: Imagine teaching kids about Roosevelt and the New Deal. It was 80 years ago, but can you imagine it wouldn't bring up a discussion about privatization of Social Security now? Shoot, people still can't agree on whether Vietnam was a war or a police action, but it's teachable history because it was so long ago. I think this is where you bring in community leaders to talk to the class, like old people, former teachers, ex-military, activists you might know, a city councilperson, see if you can get a state rep., etc.
I remember Mr. K's history class - we had a lot of fun, but boy, we weren't P.C. or avoidant at all. We debated, we argued, we even raised our voices. Mr. K stayed neutral or asked questions, and he would shut us up if we got too rowdy, but it turned out to be good for us, I think. And this was on old stuff, not just current world events (1980s, that is). It was a good chance for him to teach a bunch of kids about how to disagree and be civil (and I have always lived in conservative areas, so I empathize with you - and I was even a liberal kid. I remember disagreeing all the time with Mom and Dad - hell, Mom didn't agree with me on almost anything other than abortion, until I was in my 30s; Dad still doesn't).
Sex education wasn't too bad for us. Most vividly I remember having to watch a film about childbirth - that sealed my childfree-ness for me. I remember thinking ARRRGGHHHH DO NOT WANT!
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Date: 2012-04-05 02:09 am (UTC)As far as history, think about it: Imagine teaching kids about Roosevelt and the New Deal. It was 80 years ago, but can you imagine it wouldn't bring up a discussion about privatization of Social Security now? Shoot, people still can't agree on whether Vietnam was a war or a police action, but it's teachable history because it was so long ago. I think this is where you bring in community leaders to talk to the class, like old people, former teachers, ex-military, activists you might know, a city councilperson, see if you can get a state rep., etc.
I remember Mr. K's history class - we had a lot of fun, but boy, we weren't P.C. or avoidant at all. We debated, we argued, we even raised our voices. Mr. K stayed neutral or asked questions, and he would shut us up if we got too rowdy, but it turned out to be good for us, I think. And this was on old stuff, not just current world events (1980s, that is). It was a good chance for him to teach a bunch of kids about how to disagree and be civil (and I have always lived in conservative areas, so I empathize with you - and I was even a liberal kid. I remember disagreeing all the time with Mom and Dad - hell, Mom didn't agree with me on almost anything other than abortion, until I was in my 30s; Dad still doesn't).
Sex education wasn't too bad for us. Most vividly I remember having to watch a film about childbirth - that sealed my childfree-ness for me. I remember thinking ARRRGGHHHH DO NOT WANT!