Biblical Foundations
1. Christian philosophy and worldview
2. Personal belief about truth of society Society consists of people with similar viewpoint on particular issues. Within the context of curriculum development, society has shifted to the mindset of a common curriculum. Society believes that all students should be exposed to similar ideas and content within the educational system. Founder of Core Knowledge, E. D. Hirsh, believes that common schools should offer common content that emphasizes knowledge that is “most useful and productive for children living in American society” (www.coreknowledge.org). Hirsh argues that the knowledge gap occurs because of a decline in language proficiency with a solution of a community-centered school teaching a common curriculum. Society desires for education to produce good, quality workers. Current business owners want workers that will work diligently, be honest, and dependable. Character education programs have sought to replace teaching scriptural truths in the secular realm of education. One example, founded by Michael Josephson in 1987, Character Counts is a character education program found in many public schools around the world. Priding themselves on the 6 Pillars, this program seeks to encourage students to follow a specific curriculum with easy to follow lessons about trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Character Counts prides itself in being the “world’s most comprehensive and effective youth development program” (www.charactercounts.org). 3. Roles of the teacher and learner An educator that is called a Christian must present God’s truth. 1 Corinthians 12 speaks about there being many roles within the Christian body, but one Lord. 1 Corinthians 12:28 confirms that God appoints teachers. Within the classroom, educators are to be servant leaders, accountable to God, leading students to God’s will. Blackaby & Blackaby (2011) point out that an effective leader in the classroom will strive to develop a student both spiritually and academically, while equipping them to be leaders. An educator must also be a master of the content by subject as well as the …show more content…
Students are unique individuals, requiring understanding and support throughout the learning process. In his practical book for young adults, Life on the Edge, James Dobson thanks “God for schools that are serious about the gospel of Jesus Christ which are vital to perpetuating our faith through your generation and beyond” (1995). In both public and private settings, the learner assumes the role of learning the curriculum as it is presented by the teacher, whether it be a secular or Christian curriculum. The learner must demonstrate readiness for the curriculum, otherwise the teacher will need to make necessary adjustments.
4. Roles of the society, government, church, and family in the development of curriculum Psalms 127: 3 reveals that “children are a heritage (gift) from the Lord.” Parents are given the responsibility to provide the basic necessities of life, including an education for their children. Deuteronomy 4:9 and 6:7 reveals that God entrusts children to their parents for nurture and education. Ephesians 6:4 instructs Fathers to “bring up their children in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Parents are given the right to choose whether to educate their children through public education, private education, or homeschooling. The church must share cooperatively in the total design of education. Within the public sector, the church does not have a strong voice for change. Over the last decade, the church has strongly influenced both private education and
1. Christian philosophy and worldview
2. Personal belief about truth of society Society consists of people with similar viewpoint on particular issues. Within the context of curriculum development, society has shifted to the mindset of a common curriculum. Society believes that all students should be exposed to similar ideas and content within the educational system. Founder of Core Knowledge, E. D. Hirsh, believes that common schools should offer common content that emphasizes knowledge that is “most useful and productive for children living in American society” (www.coreknowledge.org). Hirsh argues that the knowledge gap occurs because of a decline in language proficiency with a solution of a community-centered school teaching a common curriculum. Society desires for education to produce good, quality workers. Current business owners want workers that will work diligently, be honest, and dependable. Character education programs have sought to replace teaching scriptural truths in the secular realm of education. One example, founded by Michael Josephson in 1987, Character Counts is a character education program found in many public schools around the world. Priding themselves on the 6 Pillars, this program seeks to encourage students to follow a specific curriculum with easy to follow lessons about trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Character Counts prides itself in being the “world’s most comprehensive and effective youth development program” (www.charactercounts.org). 3. Roles of the teacher and learner An educator that is called a Christian must present God’s truth. 1 Corinthians 12 speaks about there being many roles within the Christian body, but one Lord. 1 Corinthians 12:28 confirms that God appoints teachers. Within the classroom, educators are to be servant leaders, accountable to God, leading students to God’s will. Blackaby & Blackaby (2011) point out that an effective leader in the classroom will strive to develop a student both spiritually and academically, while equipping them to be leaders. An educator must also be a master of the content by subject as well as the …show more content…
Students are unique individuals, requiring understanding and support throughout the learning process. In his practical book for young adults, Life on the Edge, James Dobson thanks “God for schools that are serious about the gospel of Jesus Christ which are vital to perpetuating our faith through your generation and beyond” (1995). In both public and private settings, the learner assumes the role of learning the curriculum as it is presented by the teacher, whether it be a secular or Christian curriculum. The learner must demonstrate readiness for the curriculum, otherwise the teacher will need to make necessary adjustments.
4. Roles of the society, government, church, and family in the development of curriculum Psalms 127: 3 reveals that “children are a heritage (gift) from the Lord.” Parents are given the responsibility to provide the basic necessities of life, including an education for their children. Deuteronomy 4:9 and 6:7 reveals that God entrusts children to their parents for nurture and education. Ephesians 6:4 instructs Fathers to “bring up their children in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Parents are given the right to choose whether to educate their children through public education, private education, or homeschooling. The church must share cooperatively in the total design of education. Within the public sector, the church does not have a strong voice for change. Over the last decade, the church has strongly influenced both private education and