In Ed Hirsch’s reading on cultural literacy, he explains that there are many topics that literate Americans should know to function in society. It seems that especially in recent years, the focus on many of these topics has been decreasing. Teachers are so focused on getting students to pass standardized test that they tend to leave out important areas that as Americans we should know.
Ed Hirsch composed a list of topics/items that he feels are necessary for every Literate American to know. When I first read what our first blog task was, I initially thought of what people should know to be good, functioning citizens in society. Prior to reading Hirsh’s list I thought of a list that contains items such as empathy, happiness, the loss of someone, the birth of a child, love, etc.
When I think of general knowledge my list looks a bit different. In terms of my content area (Math) I think literate Americans should know the following:
Algebraic expressions, angles, bisectors, congruency, coordinates, dividing through, exponential functions, equations of lines, exponents, factoring, fractions, functions, graphing, greatest common factor, inequalities, integers, interest, least common multiple, multiplication tables, operations, parallel, parallelograms, perpendicular, postulates, proofs, quadratics, quadrilaterals, radicals, radians, rational expressions, regular polygons, simplifying, SOH CAH TOA, solving for the unknown, systems of equations, theorems, trigonometry
I think compiling a list of what your students should know is a good way to start the school year. Knowing initially what you want your students to know helps to focus curriculum planning and individual lesson plans. For many people Math seems like a very complicated subject area. When breaking it down into the necessities I think people will see it is less intimidating.
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