'Core Knowledge' system is gaining fans in Arizona

AZ Republic ^ | Anne Ryman

[hsmomx3]

Jordan and Jessica Whall are two years apart, but they're both studying the same basic concepts at Grayhawk Elementary School in Scottsdale.

Jordan, 11, is just learning at a higher level than his 9-year-old sister.

The approach is called Core Knowledge, an educational curriculum that is becoming popular with parents in Arizona and throughout the country.

[hsmomx3]

How much will this cost us? As if Butch and her minions have not proposed enough in property tax hikes.

[RightWhale]

That's kind of the approach already in math. Our senior calculus instructor started his real analysis class with the following. "We will be studying math from a more mature aspect, mathematically speaking. Up to this point in study of calculus and math, you have been cheated.

[Ingtar]

This sounds a lot like the curriculae that were in place in the 60s and 70s. I remember, in a New York State school, studying the Pilgrims and other immigrants. We spent time learning about colonial life. We made candles. We visited historical sites to see how they lived. Our reading and writing tied in as much as possible.

Of course, I do not know what subject matters are in this curriculum. I do not have time to put in more research at work. But, if past history is any indication, they will kill it with PC and social concerns.

[farmfriend]

ping

[twigs]

This is an EXCELLENT curriculum! I have several of the books. They cover all disciplines in a most interesting way. My daughter absolutely hates to read, but even in 4th grade liked the mythology in this book. As a college now, she has continued her interest. I think this article is deceptive. There's plenty of room for creativity and additional subjects. It's just what it says it is--a core curriculum. It doesn't say that teachers can't offer subjects of interest in addition to what is included in any given grade level.

My only concern is WHO writes the core curriculum. The E. D. Hirsch books are wonderful. But I fear someone else with ulterior motives will hijack his format and forcefeed socialism and the like nation-wide.

[stainlessbanner]

The lesson culminates with a visit to Castles N' Coasters in Phoenix, where they get to ride a real roller coaster.

The Space lesson is going to be e-x-p-e-n-s-i-v-e

[JosephW]

I've picked up most of the books in the series. I've used them with my niece (during the last few summers as she visits us from Belarus) and will be using them with my sons. They are excellent and provide a very good base.

I had wondered why the series didn't seem to be picked up by any schools (public or private), it looks like I was wrong. This is a good way to help turn around our ailing education system and remove the dead wood from teaching positions as it will be possible to tell who is doing a good job and who isn't.

[commish]

"When you see that 'light bulb' moment, it's definitely worth it," he said.

Good to see that this is universal. I have worked as an instructor in the Air Force and this is what anyone who teaches at any level works for -- it is so gratifying to see that light turn on!

[LiteKeeper]

SPOTREP

[Graybeard58]

"it is so gratifying to see that light turn on!"


...My daughter teaches in high school and tells me that is the reason she teaches....I already knew it wasn't for the money.
...We spend so much money on public education and so little of it goes for teachers salaries (where she teaches anyway)it makes me wonder where the money is going.

[twigs]

I don't know why, but the author of this series, E. D. Hirsch is really hated by the public school system, at least where I live. I don't know why that is. For a public school system, ours is excellent. I'm back in school taking education classes and when I used his name in a presentation, I got very negative non-verbal feedback from the instructor who was a pretty sharp lady. The impression I got from talking to her later is that Hirsch is presented to them as a very negative educational influence.

Someone seems on the ball in AZ. One of his premises is that as our country becomes more multi-lingual and multi-cultural, a core curriculum is all the more important. As so many other curriculums fail, I think schools are willing to try. I also think that since this series is available to parents in stores, maybe they are questioning why school systems have ignored it.

My concern is that someone will use the format and change the substance into propaganda.

[JosephW]

Always a reasonable fear. There is more multi-culturalism in the series than I like, but I don't expect perfection. It is a good series that is backed with real facts.