Should 1st graders be required to know about the Code of Hammurabi? (Common Core)

Engageny.org ^ | July 31, 2013 | Me

[Kip Russell]

I'll be the first to criticize public education for not being challenging enough and simply passing kids on to the next grade without teaching them anything...but is this too much for first graders?

Here's a partial list of what 6 year olds will allegedly be able to do after completing this lesson plan:

2. Explain the importance of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers and the use of canals to support farming and the development of the city of Babylon

4. Identify cuneiform as the system of writing used in Mesopotamia

6. Explain the significance of the Code of Hammurabi

9. Explain the significance of gods/goddesses, ziggurats, temples, and priests in Mesopotamia;

12. Describe how a civilization evolves and changes over time

21. Identify Hatshepsut as a pharaoh of ancient Egypt and explain her significance as pharaoh

26. Define monotheism as the belief in one God

34. Explain that, according to an important story in the Torah, Moses received the Ten Commandments from God and that the Ten Commandments are rules that tell people how to behave or live their lives

41. Identify that Christians believe Jesus to be the Messiah and the son of God

47. Identify the Qur’an as the holy book of Islam, containing laws for daily living and many stories that appear in Jewish and Christian holy books

[steve86]

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

They repeat it anyway (actually, it echoes). I am increasingly cynical/skeptical/fatalistic with age. Civilizations bloom, mature and finally decline no matter what you do.

[bolobaby]

“Good afternoon, Mr. Yosemitest, this is CVS calling. We just wanted to inform you that your prescription is ready for pick-up.”

[Yosemitest]

Maybe *YOU* need some history lessons.

If you want a detailed history of "Mohammed's History" (spelled variously; Mahomet, Muhammed, Mehmet, etc.) then watch William Federer explain it, from Jan. 25, 2012 at CC Chino Hills, CA.
It's a MUST WATCH for everyone,Christians, Athiests and even Muslims!

This Video exposes the "Hidden Truths" and "Goals" behind Radical Islamic Muslims! - (EVEN WORSE);

How Muslims "Justify" their "Actions" of Hatred & Evil -
These hidden truths are "FACTS" and have not changed over the past 1,400 years!
(#1) Immigrate into Foreign Lands
(#2) Increase the Muslim Population
(#3) Eliminate (kill) Everyone who Opposes Islam, Mohemmed and Allah!

It's one hour, thirty-two minuites and 26 seconds long, but it's worth your time.
Watch and learn Mohammed's History - Exposing Islam's "Hidden Truths" - Of Radical Muslims.

Also read ISLAM--Religion of Peace?

Click here to view Books by WILLIAM FEDERER from Amazon.com.

[9YearLurker]

Seems to me that these lessons rely on “read-alouds”, so they don’t have to bother with having successfully taught reading.

[Reddy]

The creation of Islam exists as an event in history and there is no reason that it should not be presented as a part of history to even a 4 year old as they memorize a timeline of what has occurred on this earth since Creation so that they will have a peg upon which to hang further learning.

[agrarianlady]

My first graders memorized these names and facts, but we didn’t go into too much detail, because they won’t remember it all. But if they can truly memorize the facts, they *will* remember them.

We loved talking about Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Code of Hammurabi, Israel, all of it. All the major civilizations in a timeline.

I don’t think these will be presented in the proper way to grammar school students with the emphasis on memory work.

So, it sounds like torture. When do they play?

[RJS1950]

Back in the 50s-60s I also remember Hammurabi’s code being a part of the history-social studies content. We were taught how that code was the first written codified set of laws or rules and that along with the ten commandments and other common law practices over many centuries evolved into many of the laws and codes and even our Constitution that we live by today. Nothing wrong with it if it is taught in that manner. Now, I would doubt that Common Core presents it in that context.

[Kip Russell]

Some of those questions are damn fine ones, just not appropriate for 1st graders to answer.

I agree completely...if this curriculum was for 4th to 6th graders, I'd think it was ambitious but admirable, overall.

But for 6 year olds?

"Johnny, please contrast the societies of Amerind hunter-gatherers and the Mayans, explaining how this made a difference in the day-to-day lives of their people".

"I hafta pee-pee".

[steve86]

When I was in school, we discussed the Egyptians and others around 4th or 5th grade

Y'all have much better memories than me. I can't remember a single lesson from all of elementary school now that I am close to 60 (however, that was true when I was close to 20, also). But I can remember details of dirt bike specifications from when I was 10 so it must be selective.

[agrarianlady]

I can't remember a single lesson from all of elementary school

Ah, but I bet you remember the ABC song.

[RJS1950]

Those questions as presented are not much different from what we covered over six years of grade school. Starting first graders directly into some of these more complex concepts and facts seems to be a bit of a stretch. At the end of 6th or 8th grade I might expect most students to know the basics of all of these.

[RJS1950]

Put to death for shoddy workmanship that causes a death? That would sure have an adverse effect on many union workers.

[Yosemitest]

I disagree.

[bolobaby]

Wow - that has absolutely NOTHING to do with Babylonian mythos and everything to do with your irrational need to somehow make this about Islam.

Look - I’m no fan of Islam, either. It’s an evil religion that produces evil societies. But I’m also a *sane* person who can separate my dislike of Islam from, say, the Buddhas of Bamiyan. The statues were in an Islamic country, but they were destroyed by the Taliban. Those religious statues were no more Islamic than Marduk of Babylonian mythos.

Besides, even the post you just put up proves the disconnect. If refers to “facts [that] have not changed over the past 1,400 years.” Agreed. Mohammed was circa 600 AD. Hammurabi was a *mere* 2300 years prior to that.

Get that? Even longer before Mohammed than the time that has passed since Christ’s birth.

Take a deep breath and relax.

[steve86]

Nope.

I remember practicing cursive (hated it), some of the teachers and kids and lunch brought to the classrooms and that’s it.

I am not low information by any means but virtually all my learning has been independently acquired, even now. School from kindergarten through graduate school was a colossal waste of time and I don’t recommend it.

[In Another Time...]

“Where do you think Islam got its root from?”

Legends about Abraham the Mystic, Hammurabi had nothing to do with it. You are confusing historical fact with myth — just like...

[BwanaNdege]

A lot of lawyers rendered redundant. Or maybe, just “rendered”.

[Yosemitest]

You're so clueless, and you don't even know it.
You just spew out the lame stream media's line and the liberal teachers union line.
Until you've gone through the references given in comment #43, you won't understand.
Now you've been exposed to the truth and it's YOUR responsibility to get it.
I've done my part.

[bolobaby]

Erm... Ooooooook... Everyone just back away slowly...

[grania]

This is from the my perspective as an old-school educator:

Most people assume that curriculum has been dumbed down. In the early grades, it's just the opposite. Topics are presented to students at a very young age, my opinion in many cases before they're developmentally or experientially ready for some of this. The idea is to start the topic when they're young and revisit it with more information when they're older.

It doesn't work. Once a student has been introduced to a topic, they think they know it. When it comes up again the attitude of most is "We already know it." In their minds, because they learned what was taught of it when they're younger, they think they know all of it. It's one reason they're so awful at percents and fractions and they think solving equations should be a group hands-on exercise.

As far as these history topics, I'm not surprised. The idea is to introduce kids to these topics when they're young so they are aware of the world. I was first intimidated when in a 5th grade class, I did not know who the first African emperor was.

Does it work? Yes, if the purpose is to identify and prod along the most capable students. Some students at a very young age have amazing knowledge in science, math, and other topics. The rest kind of get stopped by constant testing and evaluations, instead of just letting them develop in a sensible way.