The newest push in American education is a nationalized curriculum, otherwise known as Common Core. It has been adopted in 46 states and the District of Columbia, and implementation will begin in the fall of 2014 (Ravich “Why”). Common Core makes widespread changes to math and language standards, as well as reading content. One of the major changes national educational experts have made is regarding the types of texts students read. Common Core places a greater emphasis on informational texts rather than fictional text. By introducing students to print-rich materials and digital media with the goal of producing students better prepared for college and career. But does a lesser emphasis on the great literary works of Western history serve students well? Students who are only exposed to “informational texts” such as websites, blogs, and magazines (Greene 23) will suffer in the areas of vocabulary and critical thinking. …show more content…
Simply put, if students are reading it for the information it contains, it’s informational text. When students are only exposed to the dry, simplistic writing found in these sorts of documents, their vocabulary suffers. Classic literature is a source of rich vocabulary; not just words, but words in a descriptive context which helps with usage. A 1990 Harper’s Magazine article stated the average written vocabulary of 6-14 year olds has decreased from 25,000 in 1945 to 10,000 in that year (Adams). The result of Common Core reading standards will likely be devastating to students’ ability to acquire a rich and diverse
As a journalist, media theorist, and author of Everything Bad Is Good for You, Steven Johnson is a formidable activist for the most revolutionary technological achievement to date; the internet. In “Dawn of the digital natives,” an article in the Guardian, Johnson urges readers to look at the positive impact of the new electronic media age and critically at the National Endowment for the Arts study “To Read or Not to Read” that provoked a panic about the decline of reading. However, Nicholas Carr, a 2011 Pulitzer Prize finalist, shares his testimony of how his internet usage of more than a decade has eroded his capacity to concentrate and contemplate. Although the two articles were published in 2008, before the explosion of smartphone sales in 2012, the presence of social media, YouTube, and smartphones increased sensitivity to the issue. Consequently, this sensitivity might make readers more receptive to opinions about these new technologies.
Continuing with relevant themes, Dana Gioias essay “Why Literature Matters” also provides college readers with a relevant topic that revolves around the theme of how important literature is in society. In the essay poet Gioia goes on to state that literature is beneficial to society because it “encourages the flow of ideas within that society and also implores a more communal approach to education”(“Dana Gioia”). Gioia also states “Literature now competes with an enormous array of electronic media. While no single activity is responsible for the decline in reading, the cumulative presence and availability of electronic alternatives increasingly have drawn Americans away from reading. ”(“Dana Gioia”).Gioia’s essay on “Why Literature Matters”
She believes the syllabus provided to students do not include any challenging books, and her belief toward high school teachers becoming too lazy to examine thoroughly if the book the education system provides them with represent any true and significant value is a recurring concern of hers’- therefore ineffective to students. All in all, Prose used ethos, pathos, logos and the usage of specific words to help her argument. She successfully persuades her point of view and makes it clear that if schools want their curriculum to improve, they must change their way of teaching and push their students to view literature in a new
It was discovered that in education there were certain areas that were universal and common among learning. The two main subjects of concern were English language arts and mathematics. Common core is the new curriculum implemented now in school systems to develop learning. Common Core Standards are a clear set of shared goals and expectations for the knowledge and skills students need in English language arts and mathematics at each grade level so they can be prepared to succeed in college, career, and life. Although, Common Core seems to be here to stay this article addresses concerns in reference to content, instruction, and assessment.
With fear mongering articles like Petri’s, the purpose has been missed. Common Core recommends fiction and nonfiction literature across multiple genres that pique the interest of even lackluster readers. In doing so, this will better prepare the upcoming generation for college or the job market. Ultimately, the technical material does not replace the English Literature selections. The texts recommended are beneficial to students and teachers alike, therefore, improvements in scores previously mentioned are expected to rise as expectations for students are also
Home is Where the Learning Starts Children start to love reading at a young age, but when reading textbooks the love for reading slowly starts to deteriorate. Most kids hate to read in school because it’s nothing they are truly interested in when in all reality children need to understand how important reading is. In the essay “My Literacy History” by Dedrick Skinner and “The Lonely Good Company of Books” by Richard Rodriguez he explains how he did not know why reading was so important, but as he grew older he understood its values. I also developed a love for books at young age when my mom began to read to me, but as I grew up I felt reading was a struggle because I didn’t understand its values like Rodriguez.
In 2009, during Obama’s presidency, Common Core was introduced to the public. According to the Common Core State Standards Initiative, Common Core is “a set of high-quality academic standards in mathematics and English language arts/literacy (ELA)” created “to ensure that all students graduate from high school with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in college, career, and life, regardless of where they live.” However, the controversy on Common Core arose as many opponents such as Diane Ravitch found faults in the Common Core standards in the design of the standard and its inability to perform what it is designed to do and the purpose of ststandardized testing. Will the students benefit from these standards or will these standards
They teach us vocabulary, and social skills, and new ways of thinking… Research also shows that good, old-fashioned reading is still the best way to improve intelligence.” This proves that books can teach students many things, from great writing skills to great life lessons. For example, Susie says, “In that way the line he had begun seemed
A novel such as How to Read Literature like a Professor brings joy to the reader because it awakens the senses he or she has become numb to in reading. This novel brings fun and irony back into reading literature and makes the reader remember why literature is important. In the eyes of non-professors, books are just a way to keep records and entertain the few. This is true, however, in reality, books serve the eternal purpose to expand communication between humans and bring
In the article, “Why Literature Matters” by Dana Gioia, he states that the decline of interest in literature—especially from young teens—will have a negative outcome in society. Notably, he informs the readers by utilizing strong vocabulary, as well as rhetorical appeals to persuade his audience that the decline in reading will have a negative outcome. This allows readers to comprehend his views and join his side of the argument. Gioia’s word choice assists in showing the magnitude of the text by stressing the meaning and importance of his argument.
Being one of the largest humanities subjects, literature should be valued, as well as, studied to embrace the true philosophy that is provided. Literature cultivates an improbable amount of abilities that make it an indispensable part of education (The Value of Literary Study). Studying literature involves reading, thinking, writing and analyzing, and while stimulating those abilities, general empathy and sophistication in vocabulary increase. Literature not only provides pleasure and relaxation, but it builds experience for further comprehension in other academic areas. History and literature are inextricably intertwined (Why Study Literature par.
Recently, the Common Core State Standards were developed and kids were going to be tested more than ever. However, all of this education reform has been a failure because our testing scores have not improved, the testing makes children suffer, and it doesn’t improve how teachers teach. Education reforms has had little effect on our testing scores. The average score for a 17 year old student doing a reading test in the beginning of school is 285 and over 40
The life of an average teenager has changed dramatically over the last few decades. This historical alteration in adolescence causes a shocking reality that you wouldn’t be able to tell them apart from modern adolescence centuries ago. And this is no joke. Thirty years ago, you would see an average teenage boy competing in a fun game of basketball at the local court, enjoying nights out under the stars while camping in the woods with his best friends, and getting the bitter taste of defeat every time they make a move to the classroom beauty queen. Now, that whole idea wanders in the mind of adults as they reminisce of their childhood.
This is why most students don’t understand when asking “Does literature still have a place in the curriculum?”(Reist 26) because English is key to many prestigious careers like lawyers to even video game designers. Students will be frustrated by reading many boring Shakespeare type texts and not wanting to read at all but in actuality they are reading every day and books are a gateway to a land of knowledge, creativity and originality that most
The reader acquires a variety of vocabulary thus increases the quality of writing and reading for low level readers. Secondly, it makes the reader be able to interpret text by using word attack skills and text attack skills which improves the skill of reading. Lastly, it makes the reader to understand or comprehend difficult text in a book or reading material. Drawbacks or limitations of intensive reading are firstly, most time is spent on reading a small amount of text which is time consuming. Secondly, Reading new material mostly containing complex vocabulary and grammar is a long and slow process in order for the reader to understand the text in the reading material.