Parents and grandparents of middle-schoolers, did you know this?

[SallyO'Sews]

Today I was told by a customer in California that at her daughter's middle school, they no longer have Physical Eduction (PE) classes.

They now call it "Human Performance."

When I was in the 6th grade (in 1966), we underwent a series of tests as part of the President's Council on Physical Fitness. My mother browbeat my dad into helping me, since I was, well, not exactly the athletic type, and I was a bit distraught over the prospect of failing to excel at something school-related. I was a good student academically, but generally the last kid picked for softball - you get the idea.

My dad dutifully took me outside in the yard and said, "Okay, what is it you need to work on?"

My brother promptly piped up, "She can't throw, she can't catch, she can't hit, and she runs like a girl."

That assessment, while entirely accurate, sent me storming back inside in tears.

I can only imagine what it's like for the less-than-agile youngsters to be told they have failed at Human Performance. Who is the educational genius who came up with that?

[shirleyknot]

Re: Parents and grandparents of middle-schoolers, did you know this?

These days I really feel sorry for all kids in the public school system. Pack of idiots run it.

[Kgrammiecaz]

Re: Parents and grandparents of middle-schoolers, did you know this?

What a horrible name for a class. My granddaughter still has PE. I am so thankful she does, it what helps keep them healthy. But we do have her in a dance program twice a week as well for additional activity.

School has surely changed.

On a good note - my granddaughter was given a computer with all her books on it. No more carrying a hefty backpack back and forth. And they do a lot of their homework on it as well. We had her take the computer class as one of her electives. (she is in 6th grade)

[Sharyn J]

Re: Parents and grandparents of middle-schoolers, did you know this?

The genius that came up with this is probably the same one who came up with core math. It is very sad that so many schools have eliminated home economics, music, civics and history, and some physical ed and health classes. After school activities have been also been cut in many schools. Some of them have even eliminated cursive writing. What? Everyone is suppose to learn to fancy print? My GS's school eliminated that one when none of kids could write a thing in cursive! No wonder so many kids are behind in their education.

[Jean Sewing Machine]

Re: Parents and grandparents of middle-schoolers, did you know this?

My 12 year old grandson told me he would be taking FACS in his next semester of 7th grade, family and consumer science , known in the olden days as HOME EC! He says he is going to learn how to cook and sew in that class! Same song, different title!

[shirleyknot]

Re: Parents and grandparents of middle-schoolers, did you know this?

GOOD! They wouldn't let boys in the class when I was in school.

[Hulamoon]

Re: Parents and grandparents of middle-schoolers, did you know this?

Human Performance compared to what, a robot? Strange name.Family and consumer science doesn't sound so bad. We had boys in our home ec class, maybe one. lol

[Pandabear]

Re: Parents and grandparents of middle-schoolers, did you know this?

When my son went into 11th grade they had half a year of PE and half a year of Driving instruction. Which was nothing more than looking at the book given out by the DMV and talking about what not to do.

Senior year he didn't have to take PE at all.

Conversely, my nephews in NY have to take PE until the graduate.

And I still call it Gym class, because I'm old school that way

[JCY]

Re: Parents and grandparents of middle-schoolers, did you know this?

Both of my sons took Home Econ. in HS. (In the mid-80's) They both enjoy cooking & are good cooks. My older son did so well with his sewing project (he made a western style long sleeved shirt) that he had extra time, so he made a quilt. My younger son is a bachelor, so it's a good thing he learned to cook. They also took Shop. I have several items of their handy work around the house -- candle holders -- also an oak cabinet, which was made to be a gun rack, but DH fitted it with glass shelves. It holds my music box collection.

Discontinuation of PE classes is a disservice to our youth. Obesity rates are increasing. Kids need that activity & exercise. I understand cursive writing has been discontinued in many schools, which I also disagree with. With the prevalent use of calculators in schools, are kids even required now to learn the multiplication table?

[bubba]

Re: Parents and grandparents of middle-schoolers, did you know this?

They still have PE here, but not everyday like when I had it. We had to wear white short sleeve blouses that snapped down the front and had a pocket on the left w/your name embroidered in red above it and blue shorts. Once a month, we had posture days (only the girls did this, we did not have mixed PE classes!) and you would earn stars.....I earned every one for all three years! In May, they would have May Day and the girls who earned the stars were part of the court. Seventh graders were daisy chain, I can't remember what the 8th graders did, and the 9th graders did the Maypole. There was also princesses, duchesses, and a queen, but I did not make it that far.

I know in high school we only had to take it for one year and part of it was swimming. At that time, the girls had one pool and the boys had another. The filter in the boys was not that good, so the rumor was they swam naked! MM told me that yes, that was true. I think it was just because the teacher was creepy.

[grammaterry]

Re: Parents and grandparents of middle-schoolers, did you know this?

Half of my grandchildren are in public school and half of them in private school or home school. They are all excelling academically but the level is entirely different. The homeschoolers are paced at their own rate...the 13 yr old just started 9th grade this year...the private school is teaching latin. The homeschoolers also take 6 hours a week ballet, 2 hrs of soccer, guitar lessons, & are involved in community art camps and boy scouts along with church. The private school childen have outdoor run and play time for an hour each day.

[asta]

Re: Parents and grandparents of middle-schoolers, did you know this?

Around here, P.E. is required up until high school for all and in HS they need to have so many credits of PE to graduate, these credits are earned either by taking a class or participating in an after school sport.
Funny side note-I met my DH in a HS home ec class, but it was called Kitchen sciences, when our son was in HS he took a couple Culinary Arts classes, DH called them his "looking for a wife" classes.

[Caroline T.]

Re: Parents and grandparents of middle-schoolers, did you know this?

Oh Boy, we are showing our age now! Times sure have changed, so glad I don't have to deal directly with the school systems anymore.

One of my biggest complaints when my DS was in highschool, his Language Arts (formerly known as English) teacher called us one night to discuss his performance, and she barely spoke english herself and I couldn't even understand half of what she said.

My 4th grade grandson's teacher doesn't give out homework. What's up with that? How are parents suppose to know if the their child is comprehending the work and if they need a bit more help? I know one on one help from my parents was a big factor for me on many subjects. My DIL is pretty upset about the lack of homework, and is planning on still having some "review" time every day with my GS to keep track of his progress. But what about the kids whose parents don't make that effort? Sad really.