Holy Mesopotamia Batman: First Grade Common Core Social Studies vocabulary

[cali]

2. holy (wholly) ridiculous is what I think. insane. pukeworthy.

Idiots. What the hay is all the religious shit about?

If I designed a first grade curriculum (not that I'm remotely qualified), it would involve a lot of reading to student and encouraging them to read aloud. It would involve real books not iPads or tablets. I'd choose books that children love- from Charlotte's Web and Mistress Masham's Repose to children's books that feature minorities and other cultures. Basic math skills such as counting, addition and subtraction. If I designed a first grade curriculum, it would feature time outside. If in a city, trips to the park. Outside time is important. If in the country in an amenable climate, I'd plant a little garden with them.

What I wouldn't do is have stupid outcomes that aren't appropriate to 6 and 7 year old kids. I'd want them to learn that school and learning can be fun. The outcomes I'd like to see are children who are interested in books and reading and can, well, read. Fun science stuff. There are lots of books that make science fun for kids. Nature. To care about science, an introduction to the natural world, be it outside the school room door or a park or growing things in the classroom

Jaysus I fucking hate the assholes who force this shit down the throats of teachers and kids.

from the letter section following the article you posted:

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This is just one “domain” of 10 in first grade? And 16 lessons that cover the following points? All taught in one month? Who are they kidding? Why Mesopotamia and then Egypt, and then Judiasm, Christianity, and Islam? That is so unnecessary. Here are the items 6 yr olds (I have one) are to be able to explain. My 9 yr old said, “no way!”
By the end of this domain, students will be able to:

Locate the area known as Mesopotamia on a world map or globe and identify it as part of Asia;
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;
Describe the city of Babylon and the Hanging Gardens;
Identify cuneiform as the system of writing used in Mesopotamia;
Explain why a written language is important to the development of a civilization;
Explain the significance of the Code of Hammurabi;
Explain why rules and laws are important to the development of a civilization;
Explain the ways in which a leader is important to the development of a civilization;
Explain the significance of gods/goddesses, ziggurats, temples, and priests in Mesopotamia;
Describe key components of a civilization;

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