Teaching About Groups' Contributions

Did you hear that the state of California may now require social studies curriculum to teach about the contributions of GLBT individuals? Read my thoughs on Michael Reagan's article "Gay Social Studies Curriculum?" for a conservative look on the subject.

I recently read an article by famous political son, Michael Reagan, which involved what groups would be credited in a new social studied curriculum. The article, discussed how new California curriculum would now list contributions by people based on their sexual orientation, specifically, California is now the first in the nation required to “include the contributions of gays and lesbians in their social studies curriculum”.

Reagan aptly notes that this legislation not only promotes the gay/lesbian activities and lifestyles, but it opens up students to wondering why these people are qualified in the text as being lesbian, gay or transgendered, and why this aspect of their person makes them more special than other peoples. Sure, everyone loves to get credit, but is it really necessary to qualify the contributor with some sort of label? Although somewhat facetiously, Reagan wonders, “When I was a youngster I was teased and bullied for being an adopted child. In view of my personal experiences, should we add the contributions of adoptees to the legislation? How about adding the contributions of skinny kids, or kids with red hair, or extra-long legs or eyeglasses”?

I'm certainly not saying that all qualifications descriptions are bad, certainly not. In fact some "qualifications" (as Reagan puts it) enhance the story because the qualification or description is pertinent to the story. For example, it wouldn't make sense to omit that Rosa Parks was a black woman, the story of a woman sitting on a bus wouldn't be sensational or ground breaking. If we didn't know Ray Charles was blind he'd just be another (albeit, great) piano player. Beethoven's deafness was also astounding because it directly related to his musical contribution, and made the beautiful pieces of music even more unbelievable. I think what Reagan— and I— are stressing is that it should be the contribution and the contributor, not chosen circumstances that are the stress in the textbook.

The wise teacher should remember to teach the concepts of the text, but focus on the person himself, not what the person does; meaning that the teacher would discuss the any contributr to society but not necessarily focus on their sexuality. Similarly, a teacher may discuss the importance of the presidency, while still not agreeing with a President's moral and political actions.
Ultimately, this issue of what should and shouldn't be included in textbooks, and who should be involved with textbook selection is relevant to educational leaders.Curriculum selection also relates to the way teachers omit or stress points in the textbook or mandated curriculum.
For more articles on curriculum selection visit:

http://dianelockridge.hubpages.com/hub/Who-Should-Influence-Curriculum-Development

http://dianelockridge.hubpages.com/hub/How-Christians-Should-Choose-School-Curriculum

Thought for the Day

"If you would thoroughly know anything, teach it to others."
Tryon Edwards 

   

"We learn by teaching."
James Howell 

What's Your Agenda?

What's your teaching style? Photo by Arvind Balaraman

All teachers have an agenda in their teaching, it's inevitable. There is no such thing as a "neutral curriculum" since everyone has a slant or viewpoint towards subjects.


So what's your agenda, what's your reason for teaching? What's your viewpoint? Visit "Is There Any Such Thing as Neutral Curriculum" for more insights on the subject.

About Learning Preferences

I'm a firm believer in students figuring out what their learning preference is. Just as each child is not the same, not each student learns the same way.  Although the learning preference or modality is not a new concept, Neil Fleming has devised a simple system to help people determine their learning preference.


Check out my three-part article series on learning preferences:
No Cookie Cutter Learning: Understanding Learning Preferences, Part 1
No Cookie Cutter Learning: Understanding Learning Preferences, Part 2
No Cookie Cutter Learning: Understanding Learning Preferences, Part 3


For a brief overview on the subject of learning preferences, check out this presentation below. While not everything jives with Fleming's VARK system, you'll at least get an idea of what learning preferences are, and why they are so important.

Medieval Education

Medieval education was geared toward the classes.

In today's modern thinking we realize that education allows people to rise above their social class, however this was not the case during the medieval era where people stayed in their class, partly due to their lack of education. But was their education "appropriate" (as asked by the assignment in one of my classes)?


Check out THIS ARTICLE for information on the educational system and the types of things different classes learned.

Benjamin Franklin on Education

I've always been interested in the life of Benjamin Franklin.  The guy just seemed so unique!  And while I was disappointed to learn that the Disney cartoon I watched about Franklin and a mouse as a child was pure fiction (sigh!) I still enjoyed considering how he came up with all his inventions and theories.

So when I had a choice of class assignments on Franklin, I jumped at the activity.  Check out THIS ARTICLE for a brief explanation of what Franklin thought of the formal educational system in the early United States.

Although never a president, Franklin earned his way onto a bill.