Day 1, Year 3 of 5

Here we go.

I love having flowers in my front yard.

You’ve heard of Flat Stanley, but have you heard about his pet, Flat Birdy?

I didn't realize it at the time, but, in hindsight, I had an ample supply of teenage angst.

Here is my only point of substantial disagreement with E.D. Hirsch.
While the encouragement of multilingualism is contrary to our history (look it up), it is only unrealistic for political reasons, not practical ones.
13/14 #CulturalLiteracy

A common knowledge is assumed in all communications. We might as while try to identify it and pass this key knowledge down.
12/ #CulturalLiteracy

Dewey is more complicated than his detractors often like to admit.

Our curriculum must be “common” and “flexible.” This means we want students to have a broad shared body of knowledge AND a less shared, more particular knowledge of local culture/history
11/ #CulturalLiteracy

The facts kids learn (or do not learn) matter.
10/ #CulturalLiteracy

Throughout the book, Hirsch argues that one primary reason cultural literacy matters is because it enables mutual understanding. Cultural literacy is a requirement for effective communication.
9/ #CulturalLiteracy

“To acknowledge the importance of minority and local cultures of all sorts, to insist on their protection and nurture, to give them…respect are traditional aims that must be stressed even when one is concerned …with national and cultural literacy.”
8/ #CulturalLiteracy

A nation’s culture is filled with stories and facts that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
7/ #CulturalLiteracy

•AI
•Schema
•Transfer
•Knowledge
•Skills
•Cultural literacy
“Once the relevant knowledge is acquired, the skill follows. General programs contrived to teach general skills are ineffective.”
6/ #CulturalLiteracy

Cultural literacy isn’t about passing down a particular/dominant group’s culture. It is about a dialogue between groups and what should be included in “cultural literacy” changes as the groups naturally interact and change. p11

Hirsch’s work isn’t a conservative project. His aim is to help students from all backgrounds.
He doesn’t advocate for a prescriptive set of knowledge/books students must know. Rather he advocates for a descriptive list.
I.e. What do most literate Americans know about?
3/
#Books #CulturalLiteracy

I always like when you see surprising endorsements. Richard C. Anderson endorsed the book. He is a brilliant researcher (see link) who I would say generally writes from a different perspective than Hirsch but found his work meaningful.
scholar.google.com/citations?us...
2/
#Books #CulturalLiteracy

Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs To Know by E.D Hirsch Jr.
It’s time I give this classic a read.
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#Books #CulturalLiteracy