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Suggested lesson
plan for “Life Christian School kids learn with all their senses”
Readability: About sixth grade
Possible hard words: Proper names:
Louis Doiron, Capt. Meriwether Lewis, Lt. William Clark, President Thomas
Jefferson, Taylor Rohan, Candice Todd, Torie Bub, E. D. Hirsch, Christi
Checkett, David Meyer, John Merz Other words: diaries, ingredients,
refrigeration, multi-experiences, participated, wampum, transform
BEFORE READING: The primary objective
of the lesson is to improve the reader’s reading fluency. Ask the
reader to read the names and words for the possible hard words list.
A high level performance would be to read the list accurately with trouble
with no more than two words. A middle level performance would be
trouble with no more than five words. Trouble with six or more would
signal that the article might be difficult for the reader. With only
two errors, suggest the reader read the article silently. With three
to five errors, suggest the reader read the article aloud to you.
With six errors, you volunteer to read the article aloud. Indicate the
article will be discussed after the reading.
DURING READING: In instances where
the child is reading, offer any help needed to keep the reading smooth
and fluent. When you read, try to model fluent and expressive reading.
AFTER READING: Use questions similar
to the following to check comprehension and stimulate discussion of the
article.
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Besides listening to the teacher lecture,
what other things do the students do in their history study?
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What was the major disappointment of
the Lewis and Clark exploration trip?
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What use did Life Christian School make
of E. D. Hirsch’s book?
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Describe what each class is expected
to do in the Caravan of Countries.
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Do you think classes at the same level
all over the country should learn the same facts and have almost identical
learning experiences? Why or why not?
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“Cultural Literacy”
is sometimes controversial
Professor E.D. Hirsch wrote his book,
“Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know,” in 1987.
The book is based on Hirsch’s belief
that if all Americans have a core of common knowledge from school and other
experiences, they will communicate more easily and the country would be
more unified.
During the 13 years since it was
published, the book has attracted a lot of attention--some of it favorable
and some of it not.
Hirsch has broken down his idea of
“core knowledge” into a series of textbooks for each elementary school
grade. He gives teachers, parents and tutors a checklist of what lessons
he thinks should be introduced to children at different ages.
Over a 1,000 schools across the country
have adopted at least a part of his program into their teaching plans.
Life Christian School in southwest St. Louis County is one of those.
Some of the sharpest criticism of
Hirsch’s ideas on essential knowledge come from people who think the University
of Virginia English professor puts too much emphasis on literature and
achievements from white, European authors.
They say Hirsch has ignored the achievements
of different groups, including African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians and
Native Americans.
Much of the criticism centers on
what’s NOT on his list of essential knowledge. For instance, he mentions
the history of such Mississippi River cities as New Orleans and Memphis
but doesn’t include information about St. Louis.
The question of whether you agree
with Hirsch’s ideas of essential reading is open to personal interpretation.
But, even critics feel the controversy has been helpful in focusing attention
on what is being taught in American schools.
If you’re interested in learning
more about Hirsch’s ideas, his book is quite short and very easy to read.
The essential information about the book is: “Cultural Literacy: What Every
American Needs to Know,” by E.D. Hirsch.
Published by Houghton Mifflin, Co.,
1987, 251 pages. |
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