Lisa Laird, 743 words
Lisa's Lair
By Lisa Laird
IPS Features
We hear government officials nonsensically yapping about
reforming the educational system
in this country. They’d like to
convince us that with a few alterations and some spring-cleaning glossed over by
the whisk of a feather duster, our public schools would be converted into
well-mannered, under-age think tanks.
I’m absolutely certain that our politicians are in need of a “wake up
to reality” education; perhaps then a substantial reform could viably take
place.
Smart enough not to hold my breath while waiting for a
workable, effective, and timely plan to appear, I’ve taken the liberty to
create my own. There are five
essential subjects that would be taught, reinforced, and successfully completed
by each student in order to ultimately reach twelfth grade graduation.
My carefully created curriculum would prepare the youth of today for
tomorrow. The subjects are as
follows: Reading and writing, basic
math, significant local and world events, survival techniques, and ethics.
Reading and writing are important forms of
communication; they are the assigned secretaries of spoken language. Written communication allows ideas, events, and
know-how to be exchanged between people at any given period in time and be
permanently etched in stone, linking the centuries together.
In a fleeting world, it provides the clasp that fastens their past to our
present. More importantly, without
this communication, the central channel of expression I have grown dependent
upon would cease to exist and the highly active opinions I offer would go stir
crazy. Eventually, I’d lose my
sanity completely.
The love of money is not the root of all evil, basic
math is. This double-edged sword is
required and utilized every day of our lives in one way or another, however,
when we learn to count we also learn to compare.
Let me phrase it this way: If
you found one dollar you would be pleasantly surprised.
However, if your friend found five, you may very well feel envious as a
result of the mastering of basic math. Five
is more than one. Those who have
less are envious of those who have more.
Hence, the bulk of society’s problems remain.
Furthermore, one is easily able to see exactly how much in taxes is taken
out of an anxiously awaited paycheck; read it and weep.
And thank basic math.
Significant current local and world events are important
to be aware of. By this,
I’m referring to events that will improve or disrupt our lives in some manner.
It is also vital to teach the crucial happenings in history that have
shaped the fate of where we stand now. We
may then reinforce constructive goodness and avoid needless destruction.
The number of mistresses a figurehead is rumored to have cavorted with
does not fall under my definition of significant.
Sorry.
Survival techniques are dire necessities that will
enhance our quality of life. This
includes taking care of oneself through proper diet, exercise, and not abusing
one’s mind and body with harmful substances such as tobacco, alcohol, and
drugs. This also incorporates
selective and responsible sexual conduct at all times.
In addition, well-honed self-defense skills may lessen our chances of
being victimized and also increase self-confidence and awareness of our
surroundings. And yes, learning to
drive defensively on the road in a safer mode of transportation is a definite
survival technique worth considering; a military tank is the preferable choice.
Last, but certainly not least, is the subject we
commonly refer to as ethics; it will always be the most important lesson to look
at, and yet, it has been mostly overlooked.
Of course, ethics should be taught at home, but must be continuously
reinforced in the classroom. This
is merely the reverse of reinforcing material learned in the classroom through
work done at home, which is commonly referred to as homework. Internalizing empathy, sympathy, and compassion are the
emotional building blocks that construct kind, considerate, and fair-playing
human beings. Engraining a sense of
right versus wrong in our children ensures a hopeful future for all of us.
So, if you should find one dollar on the sidewalk and your friend finds a
five, don’t try to swap bills when he or she isn’t looking.
Be ethical. And feel
sympathy for the person who lost the money you now possess.
If you still can’t help but feel slightly envious of your friend’s
find, thank your acquisition of basic math.
It adds up perfectly.
Just like my curriculum.
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