Quote:
You make a good case. It's true for most of us that knowing the rules of various sports is of limited value.
Originally posted by
P'Gell
None of these have been cut at my daughter's school. IMO, cutting PE would save a lot of money. I think school should be about academics, not running around chasing balls. Kids can exercise on their own time, and the parents, not the taxpayers
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None of these have been cut at my daughter's school. IMO, cutting PE would save a lot of money. I think school should be about academics, not running around chasing balls. Kids can exercise on their own time, and the parents, not the taxpayers need to take responsibility for their children "learning" to play sports, if they choose.
However, in IL PE is a mandated subject. Every kid HAS TO have a full period of PE every day! It's a waste of time and taxpayer money that could be used teaching kids things they will use in real life, IMO.
I'm a grown woman with a husband, a house, a job and 3 kids. I use my English skills (which I learned in school) every day.
I use my Math skills, (which I learned in school) every day.
I use my Science skills every single day of my life.
I use my Social Studies, History and Economics skills, which I learned in school every day.
I use my Art, Music and Home Ec skills, some of which I learned in school, frequently. (although most of my cooking and music skills I learned on my own. However, a wonderful grammar school Music teacher was largely responsible for my becoming an amateur musician and cultivating a lifelong love of music.)
In several decades as an adult, I have NEVER been called upon, in my career, my main relationship, my social life, my job, my parenting to know the distance between Home Plate and the pitcher's mound.
I have NEVER, in my career, my main relationship, social life, my job, my parenting had an occasion where I had to know the rules of soccer.
I have NEVER in my career, my main relationship, my social life, my job or my parenting been required to recite the point structure of basketball, football, field hockey, golf or any other sport.
I have needed virtually everything I was taught in grammar school with the exception of what I "learned" in PE. Nothing I learned in this class has helped me in my career, nor my social, nor my ability to attract a mate, nor to raise children, not to get along in the world. All I learned is that if you are small and fairly uncoordinated using your large skeletal muscles, you will be bullied and the entire hour of PE (and probably several school hours after that) will be a living hell. It wasn't anything I NEEDED. I don't USE anything I learned in PE. I see no reason for children to be put at the mercy of PE instructors (many of whom, but not all, were the bullies when they were kids) "team sports" or try to compete with kids who, by virtue of physical prowess, do better at sport. I simply see no reason to subject our children to this "subject" when we KNOW that spending more time on Science, Math, English and History makes them better at life and better at living.
Nobody is a "better person" just because they can catch a ball or throw one further. However, knowing History and knowing not to repeat it's mistakes can certainly help with one's development, as can learning to speak and read and write the language of one's country better as can knowing enough mathematics to balance a check book, shop well, and keep a home.
Running faster or jumping higher is not an intellectual or ethical advantage. I fail to see the point of "teaching" our children that these things are all that important.
Especially in times of economic issues, we should be concentrating on subjects that will help our children compete in a cruel world (Language, Math, Science, History) and of course, invest in subject that will help their lives in that world be worth living (art and music.)
If children are left to their own devices, they will invent their own "sport." Leave them in a field and they will know what to do. No adult needs to "instruct" or "coach" a child on Whole Body Play. It's an instinct. When left alone, each child will play to the best of their ability and interest. There is no need to teach it in school.
Just my humble opinion. (Sorry for the Text Wall.) less
However, in IL PE is a mandated subject. Every kid HAS TO have a full period of PE every day! It's a waste of time and taxpayer money that could be used teaching kids things they will use in real life, IMO.
I'm a grown woman with a husband, a house, a job and 3 kids. I use my English skills (which I learned in school) every day.
I use my Math skills, (which I learned in school) every day.
I use my Science skills every single day of my life.
I use my Social Studies, History and Economics skills, which I learned in school every day.
I use my Art, Music and Home Ec skills, some of which I learned in school, frequently. (although most of my cooking and music skills I learned on my own. However, a wonderful grammar school Music teacher was largely responsible for my becoming an amateur musician and cultivating a lifelong love of music.)
In several decades as an adult, I have NEVER been called upon, in my career, my main relationship, my social life, my job, my parenting to know the distance between Home Plate and the pitcher's mound.
I have NEVER, in my career, my main relationship, social life, my job, my parenting had an occasion where I had to know the rules of soccer.
I have NEVER in my career, my main relationship, my social life, my job or my parenting been required to recite the point structure of basketball, football, field hockey, golf or any other sport.
I have needed virtually everything I was taught in grammar school with the exception of what I "learned" in PE. Nothing I learned in this class has helped me in my career, nor my social, nor my ability to attract a mate, nor to raise children, not to get along in the world. All I learned is that if you are small and fairly uncoordinated using your large skeletal muscles, you will be bullied and the entire hour of PE (and probably several school hours after that) will be a living hell. It wasn't anything I NEEDED. I don't USE anything I learned in PE. I see no reason for children to be put at the mercy of PE instructors (many of whom, but not all, were the bullies when they were kids) "team sports" or try to compete with kids who, by virtue of physical prowess, do better at sport. I simply see no reason to subject our children to this "subject" when we KNOW that spending more time on Science, Math, English and History makes them better at life and better at living.
Nobody is a "better person" just because they can catch a ball or throw one further. However, knowing History and knowing not to repeat it's mistakes can certainly help with one's development, as can learning to speak and read and write the language of one's country better as can knowing enough mathematics to balance a check book, shop well, and keep a home.
Running faster or jumping higher is not an intellectual or ethical advantage. I fail to see the point of "teaching" our children that these things are all that important.
Especially in times of economic issues, we should be concentrating on subjects that will help our children compete in a cruel world (Language, Math, Science, History) and of course, invest in subject that will help their lives in that world be worth living (art and music.)
If children are left to their own devices, they will invent their own "sport." Leave them in a field and they will know what to do. No adult needs to "instruct" or "coach" a child on Whole Body Play. It's an instinct. When left alone, each child will play to the best of their ability and interest. There is no need to teach it in school.
Just my humble opinion. (Sorry for the Text Wall.) less
However, I think you make a REALLY good case for IMPROVING Phys Ed, rather than eliminating it. At my HS, the emphasis wasn't on the minutiae of sports' rules, but rather on teamwork, the value of physical activity and improving physical competence. All of these have had major positive impacts on my life.
It's true that some kids, left to their own devices, will take the initiative to be active in their play. However, I remember from my own school days that the kids who needed exercise the most were invariably the ones who spent recess sitting and talking or in other sedentary pursuits.
Some facts in support of PE:
Obesity and sedentary lifestyles are now the major causes of disease in the US. link Good physical education can teach students why it's important to take part in daily, moderate exercise and how to do that.
There's a strong proven link between physical activity and self-esteem, especially for boys. link
There's also considerable evidence that physical activity actually promotes academic (classroom) learning. link
There are other reasons, but I hope you can now see the value of PE. I think we've gone far enough down the road toward a "Wall-E" world of sedentary existence. I think good PE can do a lot to get us back to being a nation of active doers.
