I remember wood shop in 7th Grade at JF Cooper Jr. High School in Virginia. My semester project- a rectangular cutting board- displayed all the wrong cuts, sanding scratches and general torture that I inflicted on this simple piece of maple. But I can still smell that wood shop and I can still picture my shop teacher, Mr. Wilson, who was truly a patient and skilled man.
In eighth grade I had metal shop, but that’s another story..
The girls had home economics (Home Ec) which focused on sewing and cooking.
There was also vocational training and auto shop for those who just didn’t fit in to the normal pattern, although these kids were usually very bright.
Anyway, the point is that in addition to math and English and physical education, we were exposed to these specialty classes that taught skill sets that required technique.
Great confidence comes from working with your hands and operating machinery that scares you to death, or from pedaling a sewing machine that can drive a needle through your thumb, or torching yourself on an oven burner. The memory of these activities stays with you for life.
Today, what lies under the hood of a car is a great mystery- even to experienced mechanics.
Our kids will need to be able to do more than text message and check email if they are to build successful lives. Where are the hands-on skill sets being taught?