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How Knowledge Is Built
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Pedagogical Approach

Core Knowledge Sequence

Named Pedagogical Models and Movements

The Core Knowledge Sequence is a detailed, grade-by-grade curriculum outline developed by literary critic and educator E.D. Hirsch beginning in the late 1980s, built on Hirsch's argument that reading comprehension and civic participation depend on a shared body of background knowledge that schools should teach explicitly and in a specified sequence, rather than leaving broad content coverage to chance or to a skills-only curriculum. It is used, in whole or in part, by several thousand schools, mostly in the United States.

Facts
Central Question
Can specifying the shared knowledge that every child should learn guarantee equal access to that knowledge 1
Most Effective For
Preschool through grade eight, building the shared background knowledge in language arts, history, geography, visual arts, music, mathematics and science that underlies reading comprehension 1
Sources
1. Our Approach, Core Knowledge Foundation
  • Rationale section
    Only by specifying the knowledge and skills that all children should share can we guarantee equal access to that knowledge.
  • Sequence description section
    The Core Knowledge Sequence is a detailed outline of recommended content knowledge and skills to be taught in language arts, history and geography, visual arts, music, mathematics, and science from preschool through grade eight.
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