HW 45 - More Big Thoughts on Schools

From these texts on Sizer and Hirsch, both were founding fathers of two forms of education. Hirsch who focuses on elementary schools, believes in testing and knowing the facts. He believes that first grader should be able to "read and know basic number facts by the end of the first grade". This doesn't seem hard to do, since most first graders (that i know) are able to do this. Sizer however believes that students should be able to leave high school with a higher understanding of things, and a valuable worker in the community.

I agree with Hirsch's technique and think that it works for the age group he is targeting. In elementary school kids are still eager to go to school. They haven't yet started to feel that they hate school and its pointless. I think that since they are still in the process of becoming independent from their parents, they are more eager to learn and go along with what they're learning.

Even though I don't fully agree with Sizer's point of view, I think that it fits society now. Today knowing the facts are enough of a challenge. It seems like now a days everyone is being challenged to question things and know how to think deeper about a situation. I don't think that taking a test or drilling math facts will help contribute to something like problem solving. I think it is beneficial for the student to think deeper or about different aspects of a topic rather than just knowing the facts.

This argument that Hirsch and Sizer have been having for years seems silly to me, because they can be combined. Hirsch's technique works for the younger kids because it doesn't seem like much on a challenge. However, as they get ready to leave elementary school and get ready to head middle school they are still gaining independence. As they get older they can be challenged with deeper thought. They can still learn the facts about a topic, but should then be eased into thinking about the significance or alternatives of the topic.