Balanced people

First my reaction to Brady.
He said we don't have a system to tell us what to teach, what to leave out and the information is exploding in size. I want to know: What do we need to know to be useful citizens and to contribute positively to society?
He says that disciplines don't help us answer this question- they are just artificial categories that don't reflect life and its connections. He suggests to study reality - its parts, how the parts fit, how it works together, what it's for. I agree that we learn the complicated stuff through active involvement. And what do we need for life?
I have been out of the school life for so many years that a lot of the "talk" sounds abstract to me. Life has been about feeding babies, hanging laundry out to dry while they nap, checking the weather to see if the laundry will dry, paying bills, cooking meals, calculating how much paint to buy, etc. We need balanced people, not balanced "subjects".
On to Strauss-
Amen sister!
Bring on the cooking class, but not the one I had in middle school. We need Emeril-- BAM!
And shop class - wasn't that the coolest class? We all have apartments or houses with stuff to take care of. Not everyone has Bob Villa for a dad to teach them how to use a table saw.
When I homeschooled my son, I had him start a business (Kindergarten!). I suggested he vacuum his aunt's business, where his dad works, once a week. He make a proposal, she countered and then they had a contract. He bought a vacuum, made business cards and receipts. He learned that vacuuming was hard work, but he got paid well. The hardest part was working when he didn't want to. I know some adults who haven't learned that one.
Books! Bring on the selection! Andy is in a read-a-thon and is STUCK in the middle of a Paddington bear book (my idea). I brought home two Magic School Bus books today and he had both read before bed- he loves science.
I am for the idea of community service. I want my kids in scouts for that very reason.
Back to middle school-- my students didn't have time for service. They were too busy with sports and homework. Where's the balance? Where's real life?