A new curriculum?

At the edge of the world
Originally uploaded by Midnight-digital

Every day I am in my classroom teaching my students about various topics in Science and Math but I can't help but wonder why am I doing this? I am mandated by our provincial government to teach the prescribed curriculum but what does this really do for our students? I posted before about what I feel I am actually teaching my students and now I find myself still feeling that way. I recently came across Stephen Downes post on Things You Really Need To Learn and it got me thinking again about what I am really trying to do in my class every day. I recently became distracted and thus, overwhelmed in my role as a teacher as I have two brand new classes that I am teaching and I am busy trying to plan fun, engaging, exciting (perfect?) lessons to teach the new content. I have lost sight of what I am really trying to do which is to teach students how to teach themselves. After reading Mr. Downes post I may have to add a few more learning objectives. I am particularly drawn to the sections on predicting consequences, distinquishing truth from fiction, empathy, and how to live meaningfully (which requires, I think, to value yourself).
I think the ability to think ahead and foresee the imediate future is a valuable skill that is not demenstrated by many students not to mention many adults. I find science labs a great tool to emphasize and practice this skill. Unfortunately the students do not have the necessary background knowledge in science to do this with much success. Only the dedicated and self motivated students have the opportunity to practice this skill.
I am constantly encouraging my students to question things they read, see and hear. Unfortunately the era that our students are in requires little in the way of finding credible sources and instead emphasizes finding any resource the fastest to save time. Apparently if it is on the internet it must be true. I cringe at the idea of, "I'll just Google it".
I think the last two are one in the same. I think the ability to empathize leads to a person valuing others and consequently themself which allows them to live meaningfully. I understand that adolescence is the period in which a human being is trying to find out who they are and what they like/dislike and what they value. However, I really don't feel that the process of finding out who we are ever stops. So how do we motivate our students to think outside their box (i.e. cellphone, TV and shopping) to find out what life truly has to offer instead of them trying to get the next latest and greatest distraction in life. Unfortunately our youth are letting the good things in life blind them to the best things in life.
All this being said, it does not sound like my job got any easier.