In the Cardinal Principles of Secondary Education (1918), one of the seven great aims of education listed was “worthy home membership.” American schools, however, have done little to promote that aim, despite the obvious fact that all human beings must make some sort of home for themselves. Homemaking has for too long been considered the domain of women – one requiring no education beyond that handed down from mother to daughter. The bold suggestion of this chapter is that schools should educate secondary school students for homemaking and provide critical lessons on everyday life. The topics are both intellectually rich and relevant to all human lives.

Home as a Shelter

A home is more than a shelter from the elements, but it is at least that, and I'll start the discussion by thinking of shelters. Most of us take shelter for granted, and we rarely think about the built-places in which we live and work. What would we do if we had to build our own shelter? Where would we begin?

Once in a while, an adult human being – prompted by necessity or romantic daydreaming – takes these questions seriously and undertakes to answer them. Michael Pollan, a writer who had never engaged in construction of any kind, decided to build (with some help) a place of his own – a “hut” that would function as his study.