Most overrated school subject?

[DLgal]

that's terrible. my ds (also on the spectrum) also needed modifications with reading and writing in some subjects but our state allows an alternate coursework plan to be written into the iep that substitutes classes in the same subject matter (swaps one for another). ds didn't take some of the newer college prep level classes but b/c he successfully completed the swapped out classes (which are the same subjects just not cp/ap level) he got the same diploma as everyone else in his graduating class.

What state is this?

I am trying to do as much research into this as I can, because I really do want to argue this with the district. It seems really unfair. Unfortunately, our state has said that local districts can set their own (higher) graduation standards, so we might have no luck.

 

[barkley]

What state is this?

I am trying to do as much research into this as I can, because I really do want to argue this with the district. It seems really unfair. Unfortunately, our state has said that local districts can set their own (higher) graduation standards, so we might have no luck.

washington.

 

[verleniahall]

Algebra - hated it

But 5ry need to bring back a class on balancing a checkbook!

 

[verleniahall]

washington.

Washington has a lot of strange rules - we were stationed there for 4 yrs with the army and a lot of families were homeschooling because of the school rules

 

[barkley]

Yep, my younger is in 7th grade and they have a full kitchen where they will practice cooking for the teachers throughout the school, and each other. They do a cooking lesson weekly. They also will do "crafts" where they learn sewing basics and will make little trinkets to hand out at the senior center during the holidays. They do a weekly CBI (Community Based Interventions) field trip where they learn how to navigate public transportation, grocery shop, visit places like dry cleaners, banks, restaurants, pharmacies, etc and learn when and how to use those places.

The high school has a life skills lab, with a fully stocked kitchen, washer and dryer, vacuum, bathroom where they will learn basic plumbing repairs, like how to fix a clogged sink or toilet, how to repair leaks, etc, computers and printers (they will learn how to hook up these things, troubleshoot connection issues, and stuff). They have things like an ironing board and iron and sewing machine and will learn how to do things like fixing a button. They also get very extensive hands on experience with budgeting, using debit and credit cards, etc. They are actually issued prepaid debit cards through a program our city has with the school district so they can practice during the CBI trips. It really is a great program and one of the main reasons we chose this school district.

i wish they did a form of this for all kids. i think of this in particular now b/c the college students have just started arriving in our little town, filling our local businesses where i end up overhearing both the funniest and most telling of lacking basic life skills discussions. a favorite of mine is the annual calls at the grocery store from incoming freshman to the moms exclaiming 'what do you mean hamburger helper doesn't have the hamburger in it? i have to buy the hamburger separately??? then what's it really helping me with?'

 

[a1tinkfans]

Wow DLgirl, the “life” stuff is so important!
Lucky kids to experience it like that.

I was going to say Gym! Hated it with a vengeance...
I was able to skip an Entire year of it (HUGE SMILE HERE) when I graduated a year early..
No need to rush life and would/did not suggest that to my own... but dumping Gym
... Epic at the time, lol

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Given the obesity issues in this country, I’d call PE & Health two of the most UNDERRATED classes in school, along with my personal choice of typing.

Most overrated, Art. Always enjoyed the class, but I can’t think of a single “useful” thing I learned in Art, unlike pretty much every other class (including many I hated).

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Algebra - hated it

But 5ry need to bring back a class on balancing a checkbook!

I think a basic knowledge of Algebra makes spreadsheets a lot easier. I used to think the checkbook balance was important (even did my “basic” computer final on this), but with online banking, I don’t even use the register anymore.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Now I'm a math person, don't get me wrong. - It was my easiest subject in school, my college major, and it's my favorite subject to teach in elementary now...But even I think we get it wrong in high school.

I'd much rather see everyone exposed to higher math, but not drowned in it. In addition to a practical math course like others mentioned above (change, interest, tipping, credit cards...) I'd like to see a survey course - with a section of Basic Algebra, a section of Basic Geometry, etc. Then students could choose more in-depth electives in whichever section(s) they actually liked and were good at.

I'd also like to add my pick for most neglected subject - geography!

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

History and science

 

[Mermaid02]

Homework, besides perhaps some at home reading. I just don't think kids should be spending hours at school and then hours at home doing homework.

 

[AustinMommyofThree]

I don’t think any class is overrated. I think all of them can help a student develop effective practices of thinking that will benefit the individual throughout life and help them become complete people able to engage in all the different aspects of daily life.

My personal least favorite class growing up was physical education. I was an athlete, albeit not a great one, but the games taught in physical education always seemed silly to me.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I think all of the subjects are valuable in their own right, but I didn't have much use for foreign language.

Spanish isn't overrated. Latin, and even the seven years of French i took, yes.

Most overrated would be chemistry.

We had a liberal chemistry teacher who only lasted that one year (but made chemistry interesting), and one time a sub who taught the boys how to make gun powder.

 

[Marchand63]

Our shop classes were Home Ec (cooking and sewing) and Shops (graphic arts and metal work)

I wanted to take shop which in my school was auto but because in the era I was a girl I could only take home ec. Never have been & never will be a home ec girl.

Spanish isn't overrated. Latin, and even the seven years of French i took, yes.

We had a liberal chemistry teacher who only lasted that one year (but made chemistry interesting), and one time a sub who taught the boys how to make gun powder.

7 years of Latin - Boston Latin School. It is the base of most words, almost perfect SAT score from knowing Latin

I would say Calculus

 

[RedAngie]

I don’t think any class is overrated. I think all of them can help a student develop effective practices of thinking that will benefit the individual throughout life and help them become complete people able to engage in all the different aspects of daily life.

My personal least favorite class growing up was physical education. I was an athlete, albeit not a great one, but the games taught in physical education always seemed silly to me.

Even though I've rarely or never again used concepts I learned in chemistry, physics, trigonometry, calculus, etc., I'm glad I took the courses. If nothing else, they helped to develop time management and thinking skills that are useful in later life.

 

[kimblebee]

I wanted to take shop which in my school was auto but because in the era I was a girl I could only take home ec. Never have been & never will be a home ec girl.




7 years of Latin - Boston Latin School. It is the base of most words, almost perfect SAT score from knowing Latin

I would say Calculus

My home ec teacher was actually one of my moms professors in university. I don’t know if it’s still a thing but my moms university degree is for..wait for it..home economics. I was born ready to cook and sew LOL

 

[Marchand63]

My home ec teacher was actually one of my moms professors in university. I don’t know if it’s still a thing but my moms university degree is for..wait for it..home economics. I was born ready to cook and sew LOL

I love to cook but with both an Italian grandmother & the other being farm raised in Canada with 18 brothers & sisters - had the cooking thing on lock. Sewing again refer to grandmothers. I would rather have learned how to do maintenance on the thing I use every day more than once - my car.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I wanted to take shop which in my school was auto but because in the era I was a girl I could only take home ec. Never have been & never will be a home ec girl.

My school was going through a progressive phase when I was in jr. high, and actively discouraging those stereotypes. I was randomly put in woodshop, and ended up really enjoying it!

 

[DIS_MIKE]

I struggled with math for years and hated it. Did fine with the basic arithmetic stuff but once I got to Algebra and Calc I was finished along with my GPA. I did the required work and had plenty of tutors along the way. I got through it but the crazy thing is I never use it which is why I feel it is overrated. I did enjoy Trig, Geometry and Statistics in college.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I struggled with math for years and hated it. Did fine with the basic arithmetic stuff but once I got to Algebra and Calc I was finished along with my GPA. I did the required work and had plenty of tutors along the way. I got through it but the crazy thing is I never use it which is why I feel it is overrated. I did enjoy Trig, Geometry and Statistics in college.

I'm glad you gave it another chance! I always tell students that mathematics is plural for a reason. - If you don't like one branch, you might like another!