When I was in school, boys took “shop” and girls took “home ec”. We did learn a little sewing, but the cooking was stupid. Only baked cookies and made lollipops and peanut brittle. No real “cooking”. Had to do what was quick enough to do in a short class period. We DID, however, have an art class where we got to use the jig-saw (with guidance) and cut out wood to make a cutting board (see how that ties in with home ec?) and once we made a woven basket. That was pretty cool.
Our Jr. High shop class was inhabited by a bunch of hellions. I’m surprised that any projects ever got finished and that no one lost an appendage. We did have a month of home economics which was cooking class, no sewing. That too was more of a preview of the Animal House cafeteria scene (that movie was years in the future) than anything productive. I learned much more in Boy Scouts.
I’m surprised that Betty is so in the dark. She’s an engaged parent. She must know what classes Junior is taking and look at his report cards. She would have asked about a class whose curriculum she was confused about.
And the girls got home ec. I always felt cheated, now I realize we were fortunate to get at least that. Everyone needs to learn tool skills and sewing/cooking/basic home management and budgeting. I will say I was the first girl to take metal shop in my high school, the year that Billie Jean King took on Bobby Riggs. \o/
My mother decided that my older brother and I were so onery that it would be a long time before we got marries. So she taught us how to cook, clean and do laundry. It didnt stick with my brother and he didnt marry for a long time. It stuck with me and when I cooked supper for my girlfriend and my apartment was clean and neat, she decided I waz a “keeper”. We’ve been married 41 years. Im still cooking.
I think it is important that kids know how to repair a seam, sew on a button, cook something more than toast and change a flat tire. There was a time they learned this stuff from their parents. I guess some still do.
M2MM over 5 years ago
Sounds about right. :P
Ontman over 5 years ago
…but still. When I was going to school in Michigan it was wood shop. That’s it.
Nachikethass over 5 years ago
That’s a good start…
Jabroniville Premium Member over 5 years ago
Haha, I like how it was going all sweet and surprising, and then he pulls out THAT :).
dlkrueger33 over 5 years ago
When I was in school, boys took “shop” and girls took “home ec”. We did learn a little sewing, but the cooking was stupid. Only baked cookies and made lollipops and peanut brittle. No real “cooking”. Had to do what was quick enough to do in a short class period. We DID, however, have an art class where we got to use the jig-saw (with guidance) and cut out wood to make a cutting board (see how that ties in with home ec?) and once we made a woven basket. That was pretty cool.
rhpii over 5 years ago
Our Jr. High shop class was inhabited by a bunch of hellions. I’m surprised that any projects ever got finished and that no one lost an appendage. We did have a month of home economics which was cooking class, no sewing. That too was more of a preview of the Animal House cafeteria scene (that movie was years in the future) than anything productive. I learned much more in Boy Scouts.
Jeffin Premium Member over 5 years ago
You reap what you sew.
Plods with ...™ over 5 years ago
Kewl quilt idea.
MichaelHelwig over 5 years ago
I’m surprised that Betty is so in the dark. She’s an engaged parent. She must know what classes Junior is taking and look at his report cards. She would have asked about a class whose curriculum she was confused about.
LoriB over 5 years ago
And the girls got home ec. I always felt cheated, now I realize we were fortunate to get at least that. Everyone needs to learn tool skills and sewing/cooking/basic home management and budgeting. I will say I was the first girl to take metal shop in my high school, the year that Billie Jean King took on Bobby Riggs. \o/
captastro over 5 years ago
My mother decided that my older brother and I were so onery that it would be a long time before we got marries. So she taught us how to cook, clean and do laundry. It didnt stick with my brother and he didnt marry for a long time. It stuck with me and when I cooked supper for my girlfriend and my apartment was clean and neat, she decided I waz a “keeper”. We’ve been married 41 years. Im still cooking.
car2ner over 5 years ago
I think it is important that kids know how to repair a seam, sew on a button, cook something more than toast and change a flat tire. There was a time they learned this stuff from their parents. I guess some still do.
Joy B Adams Custer over 5 years ago
Why did Betty not know this?
Scoutmaster77 over 5 years ago
Funny!
craigwestlake over 5 years ago
I tried to get my chemistry teacher to let me build a small still to make alcohol for the bunson burners, but she wouldn’t go for it…
Font Lady Premium Member over 5 years ago
It’s amazing how many life skills I learned by reading the encyclopedia. One of the most important things I learned was how to follow directions.