Posted on 09/15/2015 8:29:26 AM PDT by yoe
One of the antidotes to Jared Diamond is Victor Davis Hanson, in particular his book Carnage and Culture.
The antidote for U.S. history instruction similar to Diamond’s (which would be Howard Zinn, for instance) would come from Larry Schweikart, AKA Free Republic’s own LS, in particular his Patriot’s History of the United States.
Thanks.
Yes, I’m glad you understood exactly what I meant.
I compare this to a college basket weaving degree, only it’s much earlier and during a period when neglect can be destructive.
The kids fundamentals are of prime importance when he’s still of an age to learn that type of stuff quickly.
Even at 10, that kid will already be way behind and starting to leave the age when his fundamentals should already be sound. Every year after that will be harder for the kid to ever catch up. By ten I could read any book I wanted to.
I’m not an educator. I did have children. I do pay attention to certain things kids need to have to be healthy in fundamentals, family community national and world view, and social interaction.
I see some warning signals. I am glad you did as well.
Common sense goes a long way, and sadly some parents have none whatsoever.
46 states initially adopted the Common Core State Standard. It is down to 7 states. The schools may be lying to everyone as they want to keep the common core money and just relabeled the curriculum.
Funny you mention Carnage and Culture: I teach a course called “Technology and the Culture of War.” For years I used McNeill’s book, “The Pursuit of Power,” which wasn’t satisfying as it had no real theme. I saw Diamond’s book, which was horrible. Then I came across C&C and have used it ever since.
Since it’s been alluded to, we also have a world history called “A Patriot’s History of the Modern World,” in 2 volumes, from 1898 to 1945, and from 1945 to the present, as well as a documents companion to “Patriot’s History of the United States,” called “The Patriot’s History Reader.”
Dumb, how? Cheated, how?
The impression other people get from the book is that Westerners were lucky, or fortunate, or blessed by geography and climate in a way that other peoples weren't.
I don't know if that's true or not, but it might lead students to think a little. And what's the alternative, anyway? That they succeeded because they were smarter than everybody else?
That they became predominant due to a culture of freedom and self-governance. They were fighting for hearth, home, and their own country, in a fundamentally different way than those fighting for an autocrat fight.
See Victor Davis Hanson’s Carnage and Culture, discussed briefly above. Strongly recommended reading.
I am impressed....my sainted father nearly went crazy trying to teach me algebra pretty much the way you describe...I truly had/have a block when it came to learning algebra.....
Okay, that’s a valid criticism of his idea and worth discussing. He could say that that doesn’t necessarily apply to some of the Western European empires or come back with asking just why love of freedom develops in one part of the world rather than another. And you could say that he’s looking for material reasons, when the actual reasons might be intellectual or spiritual. And then you’ve got a real discussion going that takes you or the students some places they wouldn’t ordinarily go — which is part of what education is all about, isn’t it?
The curriculum was written to make solving problems look harder than it really is. Even before Common Core, the state of education in the U.S. was nothing to brag about.
I’ve known a few homeschool families whose 10yo children couldn’t read. But, when those children did begin to read, between ages 10-12, they picked up immediately and caught up with everyone else. The philosophy among their parents was that it’s harmful to push children before they’re ready.
I doubt it works well in every case, and, for the record, I’m not a follower of that philosophy. But, of the hundreds of families I’ve come across, I’ve never met a homeschool student still struggling with reading in the teen years. They surely exist, but I’ve never met one.
Thanks for your post. I appreciate the alternative view. It is something to think about, and I’m glad to have read your thoughts on the subject.
Same here. I appreciate other points of view, too. Have a good day.
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