What classes should be taught in school

[Neutraligon]

So something a little different, what classes/topics do you think should be taught in high school?

I would have a rhetoric/theory of knowledge class which teaches public speaking and debate (including forcing students to debate for a topic they are opposed to), how to recognize propaganda, how to read something critically, etc
Life skills where students are taught how to cook as well as about nutrition, how to do simple home repairs, use various power tools, how to balance a budget etc.
Science (which includes how to read a scientific paper since a lot of people get that wrong)
Math
History
English
Language
Religions -students are taught about different religions, their beliefs and the like
Recent events (last couple of decades).

[Thepeopl]

All of the above.
And yoga/ meditation techniques to learn how to be able to calm your body and mind.

[Parxland]

None. I'm actually opposed to traditional schools now. At least in the US. They're such shit.

US Schooling is 26th, meaning it's fallen behind in the times. Our current culture is so toxic that I don't feel good about sending any children I care about to school knowing they're exposed to shitty ideologies, egotistical assholes, potential bullying, or deadly viruses.

We're at a point technologically where Western countries can start allowing students to customize and handle their education on their own. What about specializations, vocational education, or hands on education though? Dedicated Workshops about cities and large towns, or affiliated businesses as alternative locations for more rural setting with sparse population. Less expense and greater RoI since you're engaging in things you're interested about. Require minimum standards for reading and math comprehension as necessary.

[Nevertopia]

Mindfulness, how to do taxes, the ins and outs of the voting/political process, international human rights, thats off the top of my head.

[Neanderthaland]

Flint knapping

[Rusozak]

Flint knapping

Metallurgy.

[Neanderthaland]

Flint knapping

Metallurgy.

Pft! Just a fad. I'm sure it'll go nowhere.

[Erastide]

You have typically 4 years x 6 classes a year to fill. So you can't take all of those every year. Also, no PE? If I add that in to yours and years of taking it, you only have 2 slots left for electives like... Art. Music. AP/IB classes.

Life skills - 1 year
Science - 4 years
Math - 4 years
History - 3 years <-- should have 1 year of non-Western culture centered history
English - 4 years
Language - 2 years
Religions - 1 year
Recent events - 1 year
PE - 2 years

Also don't have the semi mandatory senior civics/government class in there yet unless that counts as a history.
Good luck making a schedule that interests teenagers with that.

[The Free Joy State]

A balanced curriculum, from my perspective:

• English -- language (written and spoken, grammar, syntax, punctuation, spelling, critical reading) and literature (in-depth and critical reading of classic and modern literature, poetry, Shakespeare and a modern play, and writing analytically)
• Languages
• Science (which, as with Neutra, would include how to dissect a paper, and would feature examples of both good studies and bad studies, and would include what the scientific process is)
• Mathematics
• History (world history, national and modern -- focus on significant events; monarchs who didn't do much would lose out to spend more time on important events in other nations)
• Physical education (could be competitive, or non-competitive as the student chose)
• Religious Education (learning about the history and practises of major world religions and comparing them)
• Health and wellbeing education (sex, relationships, drugs and alcohol education, healthy living, relaxation)
• Life skills (how to write a CV, cook, pay bills, balance a chequebook, wire a plug).

I also like the idea of a class to help students recognise propaganda and force them to think critically and debate the side of their opponent. If that couldn't be integrated into existing classes -- and I think it possibly could -- it would be well worth adding to the curriculum.

[New haven america]

Explosives engineering and military tactics as school shooting preparations.

[Kowani]

The bourgeoisie.

[Telconi]

Flint knapping

This is actually very hard to do, but quite rewarding g when done correctly.

[Saiwania]

The usual curriculums provided it isn't full of Liberal bias. The last year or two of K-12, I'd have it devoted to career training if not college preparation if they're the super smart academic type. If a person doesn't have a path in mind, the idea is that they'll have one to fall back on as insurance in terms of having at least some marketable skills- which will enable them to move out soon after 18 and the parents will love it.

[Wizlandia]

Assuming 4 year high school split into two semesters per year, six classes per semester (typical in the States), then ideally it'll be something like:

Math - Minimum 8 Semesters, ideally most students should reach at least calc ab, should also include some basic math proofs & reasoning (helps with critical thinking skills)
CompSci - Minimum 2 Semesters
Science - Minimum 6 Semesters (Minimum 2 Semesters of Bio/Chem, 2 Semesters Physics)
English - Minimum 6 Semesters
Art Electives + Foreign Language - Minimum 2 Semesters
Physical Education - Minimum 2 Semesters
Economics - Minimum 2 Semesters, one semester intro Micro the other intro Macro
Life Skills (Health & Budgeting) - Minimum 2 Semesters
Social Science (History, Geography, Government, etc.) - Minimum 2 Semesters

That covers 32 semesters (16 STEM, 16 non-STEM). 4 years with six classes per semester makes 48 semesters, so the remainder 16 are electives (can do extra math, PE, social science, art, etc. to fulfil this aspect).

[Radiatia]

All of the above.
And yoga/ meditation techniques to learn how to be able to calm your body and mind.

It's weird, a few years ago I would have mocked this suggestion as being utterly looney and left-field but as I've grown older I've realised that this is actually a good idea.

Teaching young people techniques to maintain their psychological health (especially given the way things are going in the world) is just as important as anything currently being offered in school.

[The Blaatschapen]

Tax declaration form practice. Psychology (introduction). Communication (including public speaking). Goal setting. Breathing techniques. Self defense (for all genders). Cooking healthy on a budget.

[Eukaryotic Cells]

I'm not a teacher, but I would say that school should cover the following:

Core Classes
- Language: Reading and writing, literature, foreign language
- Mathematics: Potentially up to calculus, strong arithmetic and algebra skills at least
- Science: Physics, chemistry, life sciences, earth science, astronomy
- Social Studies: World history, national history, religion, civics
- Life Skills: Digital literacy, health and wellness, personal finance, professional communication

In addition, one of two tracks
- College preparation: Mix of courses varies depending on the student's academic goals
- Vocational or technical training: Mix of courses varies depending on the student's professional goals

[Nobel Hobos 2]

Home skills. Cooking, cleaning, and basic child-care. I guess the third thing will require robot "babies".

I'm thinking of this as mainly a primary-school course, as that's when some kids who want to "help around the house" learn from their parents. And the others start to consider it beneath them: they'll have wives, domestic servants or robots for that, they think.

My own parents didn't try to teach me cooking until I was in high school. And by then I didn't want to learn, because I thought it was just a chore. They didn't "teach" me to tidy my room at all (that was my space: "no rotting stuff we can smell from the doorway" was the rule) and now I find it an intolerable chore.

[Nobel Hobos 2]

- Mathematics: Potentially up to calculus, strong arithmetic and algebra skills at least

Algebra is taught in primary school ... it's just not called that. Those sums with a triangle among the numerals? Algebra.

The confusion when students get introduced to "real" algebra with English alphabet, might be that they've heard how hard it is and think there must be something they're mentally incapable of because it seems too easy ... and actually, "how to add a letter and a number" is something they already know!

[Punished UMN]

Assuming 4 year high school split into two semesters per year, six classes per semester (typical in the States), then ideally it'll be something like:

Math - Minimum 8 Semesters, ideally most students should reach at least calc ab, should also include some basic math proofs & reasoning (helps with critical thinking skills)
CompSci - Minimum 2 Semesters
Science - Minimum 6 Semesters (Minimum 2 Semesters of Bio/Chem, 2 Semesters Physics)
English - Minimum 6 Semesters
Art Electives + Foreign Language - Minimum 2 Semesters
Physical Education - Minimum 2 Semesters
Economics - Minimum 2 Semesters, one semester intro Micro the other intro Macro
Life Skills (Health & Budgeting) - Minimum 2 Semesters
Social Science (History, Geography, Government, etc.) - Minimum 2 Semesters

That covers 32 semesters (16 STEM, 16 non-STEM). 4 years with six classes per semester makes 48 semesters, so the remainder 16 are electives (can do extra math, PE, social science, art, etc. to fulfil this aspect).

Having fewer semesters for history than semesters of physics alone is a problem of priorities.

[The Republic of Fore]

Science, math, history, English, and proper civics courses. Mix in a basic life skills class as well where you learn things like how to change a tire. Keep foreign languages and arts as optional.

[Thepeopl]

Apparently I need more forum classes..
Or posting courses.

[The Blaatschapen]

All of the above.
And yoga/ meditation techniques to learn how to be able to calm your body and mind.

Oops, when I wrote it... only Farns post was here.

So, apparently I forgot to post it after writing....

I especially like Blaatschapen's list as well

Thank you, i'll add another one.

Proper (western) european history of the 19th century. This is aimed for the Netherlands specifically, since we kind of gloss over the period with "yeah, foundation of the dutch kingdom, industrial revolution, dutch constitution, voting rights and suddenly we're at world war II". I want that kids know and understand the horrors of the Franco-German rivalry that was only ended through careful, deliberate, political and economical steps.

[The Free Joy State]

Tax declaration form practice. Psychology (introduction). Communication (including public speaking). Goal setting. Breathing techniques. Self defense (for all genders). Cooking healthy on a budget.

Some important subjects on this list; I'd probably include all of them. Self-defence should definitely be taught (I'd personally think it should be added to the P.E. curriculum).

I also forgot Social Sciences (introductory psychology -- including how to conduct an ethical study, biology and cognition, and questions on social influence on individual behaviour; political science; introductory law -- basic knowledge of what the law and legal system is, legal contracts, what the justice system involves, what individual rights are; sociology)

[Nobel Hobos 2]

Self-defense is a bit tricky. It's a waste of time showing kids how to do various moves: they're only going to learn from that if they practice ... eg, later, on their friend or sibling. And sure, they can practice on a hanging bag, and should early on, but at some point you have to overcome inhibitions about hurting a real person who's really trying to hurt them.

My approach would be to teach self-defense early, with "punching bag" opponents who are older and bigger than them. And presumably know everything the smaller kid is trying to learn, having done the class years before. I'd go so far as to have volunteers from middle/high school be passive sparring partners for primary students, to keep kids who sparred in class from carrying it on later.