Quotes are taken from a message written by Sheila to Dan on 07/23/96...
SK>This sounds very similar to my thoughts on teaching Geometry and
SK>Algebra. Many is the person who will say, "I've never used algebra
SK>and/or geometry since I took it in high school" (matter of fact, I bet
SK>Leona would get a ping or two in there at geometry). Yet these are
SK>courses that teach logic, problem solving, etc...
SK>
SK>I guess what it boils down to is that there are many excellent things we
SK>could teach to our students...not only chess, computer programming, but
SK>also challenging math, art, languages, literature, music, dance, P.E.,
SK>etc...
SK>
SK>There are always persons who are advocating eliminating one or more of
SK>the above subjects, but I believe that all of these have been shown to
SK>be beneficial for students. The problem in the end, is do we have the
SK>instructional time in the classroom to teach all of it? In my
SK>experience, "no". We have to make some decisions and choices.
SK>
SK>Is it not appropriate to let our students make some of these choices?
SK>Should students not have a voice about _some_ of the things they would
SK>like to study? Maybe optional programming, or a choice of fine arts
SK>courses, etc... is a good way to handle something like this, at least
SK>after 6th or 7th grade?
Wow.  I couldn't have said it all better myself.  These same thouyghts 
passed through my mind in writing some of my responses on this issue, 
but it seemed as if I was too wordy already and I didn't want to go on 
for TOO long .
Chuck
Chuck Beams
Fidonet - 1:2608/70
cbeams@future.dreamscape.com
___
* UniQWK #5290* A man's best friend is his dogma.
--- Maximus 2.01wb
---------------