A SLICE OF LIFE

At lunch today, one at the table told about her 7th grade in Oregon many years ago where the boys had one semester of sewing and one semester of cooking, while the girls had similar instruction in “men’s work.” The lady who taught the boys to sew rewarded them a “driver’s license” upon satisfactory completion of the course. They had to learn all about the sewing machine and how to use It. They designed and made tee shirts for themselves and cushions which were shaped to their own liking, such as a football or an animal. The entire class of boys was thrilled with their accomplishments.

The teacher had prepared them to like what they were doing. She warned them that the day might come when they would need this knowledge. She must have been a real educator. Any teacher is excellent in my book if the students enjoy the class and end up loving the subject. And she kept her promise; they got their license to drive a sewing machine, an item for their billfolds, so that they could show it off.

Not long after this year of teaching, the curriculum changed. Instead of cooking and sewing, the students got computering.

My question to this situation is, “Why not have classes of both types for all?” ♥