This link is essentially a rough synopsis of E.D. Hirsch's book, Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know. Hirsch's argument is that cultural literacy is the body of knowledge shared by literate people. This shared knowledge is important because it allows shorthand reference (or schemas) to complex concepts, such as "quagmire" for Vietnam. Yet cultural literacy is not naturally occuring, it is instilled by an organization that everyone attends...
The rest of the book is his argument that the modern school system does a poor job of instilling cultural literacy, and his recommendations for fixing the problem.
Well, memorizing is important... such important quotes like Major General John M Scholfield's graduation address to the graduating class of 1879 at West Point. "The discipline which makes the soldiers of a free country reliable in battle is not to be gained by harsh or tyrannical treatment..." I think you should put up some patriotic quotes in the classroom. Especially father Dennis Edward O'Brien, Sergeant, USMC's quote.
"It is the soldier, not the reporter, Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, Who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, Who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, And whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protestor to burn the flag."
This link is essentially a rough synopsis of E.D. Hirsch's book, Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know. Hirsch's argument is that cultural literacy is the body of knowledge shared by literate people. This shared knowledge is important because it allows shorthand reference (or schemas) to complex concepts, such as "quagmire" for Vietnam. Yet cultural literacy is not naturally occuring, it is instilled by an organization that everyone attends...
ReplyDeleteThe rest of the book is his argument that the modern school system does a poor job of instilling cultural literacy, and his recommendations for fixing the problem.
Hirsch's Cultural Literacy seemed like common sense when it came out, and still does. Thanks for making that connection.
ReplyDeleteWell, memorizing is important... such important quotes like Major General John M Scholfield's graduation address to the graduating class of 1879 at West Point. "The discipline which makes the soldiers of a free country reliable in battle is not to be gained by harsh or tyrannical treatment..." I think you should put up some patriotic quotes in the classroom. Especially father Dennis Edward O'Brien, Sergeant, USMC's quote.
ReplyDeleteI'm quite familiar with both quotes. Posting them might be fun :)
ReplyDeleteNow, who are you?
So what did Sgt. O'Brian say?
ReplyDelete"It is the soldier, not the reporter,
ReplyDeleteWho has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier,
Who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protestor to burn the flag."
Father Denis Edward O'Brien
USMC