jimf

One of the children (grade 8) has a school assignment on reasons to be proud to be a Canadian. None in his workgroup are Canadian. It sounds like most of the class are suitably cynical about it which is reassuring. What is the education value of having this as a topic in the curriculum?

rubberduckofdeath

I don't think that nurturing a sense of national pride is a bad thing.

Tangram

Daughter, 13, had homework last night to come up with a symbol and slogan for racial harmony - basically drawing and colouring in.

I was somewhat speechless as I remember my youth and the 3 hours per night homework I had.

jimf

I tend to think excessive self esteem is generally not a good thing.

iaink

False modesty neither. The UK could do worse than teach a little more national pride to its callow youth.

jimf

I do hope the paper colour was appropriate..........

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education...pert-says.html

MikeUK

be careful what you ask for, most of the skin head fraternity have lots of national pride, its how they display it that concerns most people..

I think working on personal pride may be more useful in most cases, with a collective pride becoming a natural extension

Oink

I think 'being proud' is an odd term to use when talking about large multi-cultural nation states with somewhat dubious economic and military practices.

rubberduckofdeath

I think you're confusing a simple educational excercise which is likely designed to nurture national pride and to allow the children to recognise the good things that Canada has to offer with something else.

rubberduckofdeath

You think most grade 8 children have in depth understanding of such issues?

Oink

But why you need to teach them to 'proud'? Isn't that just another way of teaching them to be grateful and thus loyal? There doesn't seem to be much of a line between teaching and indoctrination.

iaink

Im pretty sure thats not the kind of pride of nation that canada preaches in its schools.

iaink

Whats wrong with giving kids a sense of place and history? Canada has done much to be proud of. Its also done some crappy things. As long as both are taught its healthy.

Gremmie

?? Why?? the US kids are proud every day of being US kids with a nation/state with very dubious economic and military practises

rubberduckofdeath

Who said they were being taught to be proud? School isn't just about direct explanations and lessons, it's about exploring too. What's wrong with allowing children to think about the things they like about home and express them?