Indoctrination in Common Core ELA Texts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGph7QHzmo8&feature=player_embedded#action=share
So what we have here is a common core recommended primary – so it means it is a recommended primary for use in the state of Utah.
Literature and Writing or English, Language Arts Curriculum that is aligned with common core.
For First Graders – 6 year-olds
Let’s look at what this is about – what is the purpose of this? From the cover we think it is about literature and writing
Flip it open and it says:
Textbook
The voices of democracy theme students use their voices to advocate solutions to social problems that they care deeply about.
They are engaged in learning the following theme related social knowledge and skills: social role models, social advocacy and respect for each other.
Observer & Narrator
That is important for a 6 year old – looks at what’s wrong in the world and how to organize people in my community how to fix these problems.
Textbook
In the Voices activity for this theme, they respond to this question by learning to develop a Democracy plan in which they develop ways to help people in need. Students are encouraged to express and explain their thoughts, feelings, and reasons for selecting the issues that their speeches address. Display the central question on the theme poster and read it aloud.
Narrator
Turns page
One of the first things they teach 6 year-olds is how to use emotional words. My 6 year old already knows emotional words.
Textbook
Tell students that when they write a call to action they should include emotional words to get readers to feel strongly about the problem that they want to do what is being asked of them.
Narrator
This is not community organization 101 for college students – this is English Language arts for 6 year-olds!
They give examples and they are effective at this.
Textbook
Why did the writer use the word “refuse” instead of other words such as “will not”?
(Refuse is a stronger words that makes the ABC company sound as though they are hard to work with which may make readers angry with them.)
Narrator
Are we teaching 6 year-olds to play fast and loose with facts to persuade and get the job done?
Why did the writer say, “We could be without a park for months or even years”?
(By stating the worst that could happen if the company builds houses, the writer appeals to the readers’ feelings of anger.)
Narrator
So we are teaching 6 year-olds to stir up anger and fear in their readers in order to accomplish the social.
Observer
Do you think it would be fair to call this indoctrination?
Narrator
I don’t know what you call it – I call it astonishing. It is approved in our state.
Turns page – goes on and on – talks about more emotional words.
We should look at the workbook on how to use emotional words.
From the workbook
Read each sentence and choose emotional word or phrase to complete each one. Write it on the line.
My mom always NAGS or TELLS me to clean my room.
Narrator
And of course they are supposed to circle the word NAGS – that’s the correct answer because that is the emotional word.
Of course as a parent I take issue with the whole question itself because it marginalizes parents.
Observer
It is astonishing. It is unbelievable that adults may have actually reviewed this material and approved it. It would be somewhat less astonishing if they didn’t review the material and approved it.
Narrator
So they are very thorough in this approach to teaching 6 year-olds and it is not just 6 year-olds, 7 year-olds and all the way through high school. But starting them in first grade to be social activists and to stir up emotion - not to teach with logic, but to stir up emotions to persuade others.
We’ve looked at goals, workbook exercises on how to use emotional words to manipulate others, now let’s look at some assessments and homework activities.
Narrator
This is a script for the teacher.
Reteaching
Characteristics: Emotional Words
Strategy 1
Think of a school oriented problem and present it to the class. For example: The school needs balls and jump ropes for students to use at recess.
Say: We’re going to write a letter to parents about our problem. We want them to help solve the problem. We need parents to understand our problem, so we’re going to use words that make them feel how important it is to help us.
On the chalkboard write anger fear and joy.
Write this sentence:
The children have nothing to do during recess.
Say: Now remember, this sentence is for your parents. How might a parent feel when he or she reads this sentence? Discuss the feelings students suggest. Guide discussion as needed, to the idea that parents may be upset or angry by this sentence.
Narrator
And that’s the purpose of this assignment to put it into practice.
These are English Language arts common core aligned materials recommended primary in the state of Utah.
As I read this and I learned the strategy of the writers of this material want people to communicate, I understand why in social and political debates we just talk past each other – it’s because we just ….
Observer
….Look for emotional words. Amazing – approved for use in Utah.
What’s this book ?
Narrator
This is for third graders. One thing I noticed – in grades 4, 5, 6, 7, grades, they all have similar theme – Literature and writing class the purpose - they want teachers to measure attitudes, beliefs and dispositions and actually give a rubric and chart for tracking that.
Observer
What?
Narrator
Yes, and this is approved for primary use in Utah.
Student Observation form
The student observation form on Assessment handbook page 11 is an informal assessment tool that notes growth and change in an individual student’s behaviors and attitudes.
Observer
Wow
Narrator
In the Rubric here
does the student use the first person plural ( We, Our) to advocate ways to solve social problems.
Are they learning how to do that.
And again
(Looking at another assessment rubric next page)
Examples
Do they understand know when something is unfair
Recognize social problems
Work with others to solve group problems
Narrator
Those are the stated goals
Every grade is the same
This parent might feel an major eye roll coming on. Let's see, for zero cost how about finding a new friend, play tag or hop scotch. If you still can't come up with something creative to do then we turn that hour into library time. It's your choice. Bub-bye, kiddies.