The basics and introductions of so many subjects are communicated in simple understandable ways in music and other media never even touched upon in school. I'm not saying to base a class off of a Jonathan Coulton song but I do see the merit of incorporating such songs into an elementary school setting. Simplified versions are often better accepted by people who have no idea about what the subject matter is really about. There are many concepts in school that they simply drill into your head. This breeds resentment or indifference in some. Simplification is one factor, another is simply humor, or something close to it anyways. Making a class subject into a less formal topic could make a difference in a developing child's eyes. For example, I had awful grammar when I was younger. The school system really did absolutely nothing to remedy this situation, however when I read the book Eats, Shoots, & Leaves that changed. I gained a new interest in being understood within my writing because the book was funny and still covered the topic thoroughly enough to teach the rules of grammar. This kind of thing is by no means revolutionary or even new but it still has yet to leave an impact on the learning system.
Not exactly. The title is an exaggeration. My point is that you shouldn't simply drill everything and that though it is important to learn the hard textbook facts it isn't impossible to help this along through other less formalized means.
I do agree that lessons could be better taught with well, less of a strict code on learning it and more emphasis on explaining the how and whys of things. More interaction would help kids focus better too and make the classes more memorable. It's just hard though for teachers to be able to do things because of the way the system is and also the demands on meeting state expectations while having to deal with some brats that you can't kick out...because parents say their kids are innocent. I do see some teachers try but they have to be really good at designing a curriculum and ready for all sorts of things to be able to pull it off.
Not always. Youtube search That Spells DNA for science and Istanbul Not Constantinople for history. The second isn't exactly rich in history but you do get two points across.
