I had a dream and in the past have talked about this idea. When I see my kids bringing their homework home for complex math that they will never use I can't help but think instead of making them learn things that they will never really use in the real world, why aren't we teaching our kids basic life skills that they will actually use later on in life? There used to be some of this taught in school growing up when it has since been removed or de-prioritized. I think these should be taught and classes/test taken on them.
These are some that are on top of my mid that all people should learn in life, especially at a young age. I think some students would actually fall in love with some of these skills and go into more career fields using them. Let’s entice the minds, not bore them.
- Tire change/rotation. The student must perform removing the spare tire simulation changing a flat tire or tire rotation and perform it in front of the class.
- Oil/filter change. Students must perform an oil change with filter.
- Basic cooking skills (some of this is still taught in schools) Students must use a stove and bake/cook meals. Will be graded on how well performed.
- Laundry - basics taught on how to use a washer/drawer.
- Mowing the lawn, small engine repair. Students must learn how to properly maintain a lawnmower. They will perform a grass cut on the school’s lawn.
- Basic finance skills. Must learn what investments are and basic money handling (somewhat taught - limited).
- Small tools handling - students learn how to use basic hand tools - shovels, rakes, pruning skills.
- Fuel station fill up. Students must learn how to pull into a gas station and properly fill up a vehicle, and have an understanding of what the different fuel types mean.
- Basically survivability skills. Students must learn how to start fires using primitive means. Safe water collection. Basic shelter building techniques. Basic first aids skills.
These are some that are on top of my mid that all people should learn in life, especially at a young age. I think some students would actually fall in love with some of these skills and go into more career fields using them. Let’s entice the minds, not bore them.