What are the top 10 topics that should be taught in schools? Part of my issue with the educational system today is the curriculum. I have some issues with the curriculum that is being taught and some issues with what is not being taught. There are various curricula which needs to be taught in schools.

I remembered growing up watching some episodes of David Letterman’s Late Night Show. My favorite segment on that show was David Letterman’s top 10. So what I am going to do is give you my top 10 topics that I believe that should be taught in schools, but in reverse order, from number 10 to number 1.

In position number 10- Foreign Languages–

I think that it is important that students learn multiple languages today, in the 21st century in the business world. With the increase in immigration and technology, it is imperative that students learn other languages besides their own native language.

According to educational research, about 77% of our South Floridian Schools’ immigration population is comprised of students of Hispanic/Latino origin. So, Spanish is their native language. Our students need to learn Spanish too. The more languages our students learn, the better off they will be in the business world with higher earning potential which makes them more competitive in society. It was compulsory in my day to learn French when I was living in London, England. Learning a new language is great for conducting business with people from other countries. Many schools do not even offer foreign languages anymore but they should.

In position number 9- Artistic Expression–

Students need to have many opportunities to artistically express themselves. They can do this in multiple ways; mainly through art. music, poetry, song writing, cursive writing, drama, and dance. The first on this list is art. One of my main criticisms is that a lot of schools do not offer as many specials like they used to. I think that artistic expression is so important. I think that all students should have ample opportunities to use their affective domains as well as their cognitive domains of their brain in order to express themselves. The affective domain of the brain is the creative and emotional side. Students need to be creative without any judgement. They explore their creativity and be able to do this with guidance, grace, and freedom. They need to be able to express themselves in all different age groups.

Artistic expression also includes drawing, sketching, painting, making paper mache, and building objects for projects. They need to be able to express themselves so that we could discover their best talents. Students need kinesthetic and tactile approaches to learning also.

In position number 8- Career Education–

Career education should be taught in schools and this should begin in the elementary grades. To help students discover what their best talents, skills, and abilities are, and to assist them with choosing their possible career paths, guest speakers need to visit schools more often to speak to students about their careers. More career field trips need to also be organized for students. Whether students are thinking of attending college or university, learn a trade, join the armed forces, or pursue a career, teachers need to guide students so that they know what their best talents, skills, and abilities are and what it would take to achieve their goals, aspirations, and dreams. Good teachers always bring out the best in our students.

Students need to be taught some solid interview techniques, how to dress, and how to conduct themselves for whatever endeavors they choose. In my last school, we had a marine visit to talk to our students about what it is like to be in the armed services. Career education needs to be taught more in our schools.

In position number 7- Health Science and P.E-

Students need to engage in making healthier lifestyle choices which should include moving more and eating healthier. According to research, about 1 in every 3 Americans are obese which is a sad statistic which needs to change.

Physical Education should be taught more in schools, at least twice to three times a week. Students need to move more. There is way too much obesity and other health issues such as diabetes and cancer because of the lack of movement and poor nutritional diet. Many students are living sedentary lifestyles because they sit for at least 8-10 hours a day playing on their play stations and tablets instead of moving for at least 4 to 5 hours a day.

Many students do not eat a balanced nutritious meal. I have met so many overweight students because they eat junk food such as fast food, potato chips, cookies, and drink sodas, and milkshakes during snack and lunch time. Too many students take candy to school which should not be allowed. Furthermore, students need to drink more water, even in school. So many students get nose bleeds. When this has occurred in my class, I always told students to drink more water. When they did this, their nose bleeds stopped.

Many students need to wash their hands more frequently and thoroughly as about 50% of all illnesses could be prevented if they were more hygienic. The most common viruses are spread by the droplet method and are very contagious, so good oral and body hygiene is vital. They should not touch contaminated or unclean surfaces and then touch their faces and mouths without washing their hands thoroughly.

In position number 6- Decision Making Skills–

Decision making skills should be part of every curriculum in schools and should be taught daily to students. These skills should be incorporated in every curriculum and should be modeled and discussed daily. Students need to learn how to discern truth from evil, good from bad, right from wrong, and acceptable from unacceptable words and actions. They need to learn how to make sound decisions and stand by them. Teachers make thousands of decisions daily concerning students. Students should also be taught how to organize their thoughts as well as their work. This is why in most schools, students use planners and subject note books.

In position number 5- Self Respect and Respect for Others-

Every year, 1 of my 5 agreements with my students is to respect themselves and others. There is far too much disrespect shown between students and others in schools. Students need to learn about self respect. The number 1 reason why many of them have self disrespect is because they are seeking attention. How do students respect others and respect their differences if they do not even respect themselves? This is so important. They need to have many opportunities to practice respect through class discussions, projects, performances, and debates. We, as educators and parents, need to build our students’ self respect, self esteem, and their respect for others. In life, you reap what you sew.

In position number 4- Leadership Skills-

I teach my students that we are all leaders. I also teach them to be leaders, not followers. Students need to learn what it takes to be an effective leader by teaching about having good citizenship skills during Social Studies and across all curricula. Students should have ample opportunities to demonstrate their leadership skills daily through classroom jobs. They also need to accept responsibility and accountability for their words and actions.

In position number 3- Self Defense-

How often do we encourage students to defend themselves in schools? Self defense classes such as martial arts, karate, and Kung Fu are available all around the country so that students learn some techniques to defend themselves both in and out of school should the need arise. No one has a right to invade your personal space without your permission and consent. Students need to be taught from preschool onward about kind and unkind touches. Touches such as “high 5’s” and “hand shakes” are acceptable. In addition, students need to be taught what the correct posture should be if someone tries to invade their personal space without their consent. In addition, all students need to be taught how to say such phrases as “excuse me, I am sorry, thank you, no thank you, and NO!” Saying NO is one of the most powerful affirmatives that many children and adults have trouble saying. Students need to learn when to say “yes” and when to say “no” and to stand their ground in many situations and circumstances.

In position number 2- Make, Save, Invest, and Spend Money and Other Resources-

In my 25 years of teaching in the classroom, I hardly ever witness other teachers teaching students how to save, invest, and spend money and other commodities. Teachers do teach about the differences between natural and synthetic resources; however, we also need to teach our students about commodities such as stocks, bonds, gold, silver, and bronze and how to invest in them. Students need to learn how to count money and how to spend and receive change, so they need to master their basic computation skills.

Students should be taught the differences between simple and compound interest. Many of us have credit cards that charge us compound interest if we pay our credit bill late. In addition, students need to learn about interest rates, inflation, budgeting, consumer spending, and investments.

Finally, students need to learn how to recycle, reduce, and reuse resources such as water, paper, and plastic. As a nation, we are wasting these and other resources way too much; so much, that our landfills are overflowing rapidly. I have had faucet monitors and sweepers in my classrooms so that students could practice using the 3 r’s. They have also completed recycling projects and presented them in class.

In position number 1- How to Build, Create, and Sell Products and Services–

Students need to be taught how to build, create, and sell products and services independently and cooperatively. This is why I have had students complete invention projects where they they needed to invent a product or service to improve on an existing procedure or change a procedure. They enjoyed creating and presenting their inventions with their peers.

In the past, I had a female 5th grade student in my class who sold water bottles for her small business venture part time. Two other 5th grade female students who I have also taught have sold beads and necklaces they made to their peers and the general public. I admired their entrepreneurial spirit which should always be encouraged in school.

Students should learn how to sell their natural talents, skills, and abilities; but above all, realize how really invaluable and worthy they are as creative human beings. Students need to be taught and role play how to sell themselves during a job interview, when they seek a promotion, or when they are submitting a proposal. We need to teach our children how to become great producers of products and services, rather than to just settle as great consumers of information.

Thank you for reading this blog! I hope that you enjoyed this post. Please stay tuned for more!

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