Goals of cultural literacy
From E.D. Hirsch ...
• "In an anthropological perspective (the name which Hirsch chooses for the Cultural Literacy point of view), the basic goal of education is acculturation, the transmission to our children of the specific information shared by the adults of the group or polis."
• "... literate culture has become the common currency for social and economic exchange in our democracy, and is the only available ticket to full citizenship.... Membership is automatic if one learns the background information and the linguistic conventions that are needed to read, write, and speak effectively."
• "Cultural literacy constitutes the only sure avenue of opportunity for disadvantaged children."
• "The achievement of high universal literacy is the key to all other fundamental improvements in American education."
• "Mature literacy alone enables the tower to be built, the business to be well managed, and the airplane to fly without crashing."
• "In an anthropological perspective (the name which Hirsch chooses for the Cultural Literacy point of view), the basic goal of education is acculturation, the transmission to our children of the specific information shared by the adults of the group or polis."
• "... literate culture has become the common currency for social and economic exchange in our democracy, and is the only available ticket to full citizenship.... Membership is automatic if one learns the background information and the linguistic conventions that are needed to read, write, and speak effectively."
• "Cultural literacy constitutes the only sure avenue of opportunity for disadvantaged children."
• "The achievement of high universal literacy is the key to all other fundamental improvements in American education."
• "Mature literacy alone enables the tower to be built, the business to be well managed, and the airplane to fly without crashing."
What you can do!
Here Are Ways to teach your child to Better Understand Different Cultures!
Learning about other people and cultures promotes understanding and acceptance. Help children learn about our differences and similarities and appreciate cultural diversity.
Here's what you can do!
•Study other cultures. Immerse yourself in a new experience and embrace all that you can learn from cultural events in your own community.
•Learn the flags from other countries.
•Have cooking projects of authentic foods from around the world. This can be an experience in culture, science and mathematics as you measure and combine ingredients. Talk about new flavors that you may like or dislike. Think about how the dish may be the same or different than a meal you have had before!
•Explore how we all have the same basic needs. Think about ways you can actively contribute to providing to may have limited access to food, clothing or safe water. Contributions may be but are not limited to monetary donations. Donate your old clothes and toys. Volunteering, whether it be once, twice or weekly, is a wonderful way to 'get involved' in the community.
•Have items from other cultures available to explore.
•Older children can do research and reports of countries and their people.
•Explore the cultural challenges within our own nation.
•Explore and discuss your own prejudices. Every person has been exposed to different circumstances and experiences which can create stereotypes. It is okay to be honest with yourself and consider about how they came to be and what can be done to break or change them. Talk about these experiences with your child so that you can help break the cycle of the '-ism's!
•Explore the various religions within the classroom, and then extend it to the world.
•Explore how all of us, even within the same culture, are alike yet different.
•Read stories and poems written by authors from many cultures.