Rocha

Adriana Rocha
Dr. Ryan T. Miller
Education 1010
October 21, 2015
Chapter 5 Assignment
In todays society we have so many factors influencing our students to use drugs,
bullying other students, being involved in sexual behaviors, and even violence. Most of those
students usually come from a home with a single parent household or even a household where
the child doesnt receive enough attention. As part of my teaching curriculum I plan to involve
Social Reconstructionism.
Social Reconstructionism is an educational philosophy asserting that schools, teachers,
and students should take the lead in addressing social problems and improving society (Don
Kauchak, Paul Eggen). Two earlier philosophers, John Dewey Brameid (1904 - 1987) and Paulo
Freire (1921 1997) were thought to be the roots of Social Reconstructionism. John Dewey
Brameid had believed that the human race possessed the potential either to annihilate itself
through conflict and weapons such as the atomic bomb or to create a humane and just society
through the use of technology and compassion (Don Kauchak, Paul Eggen). I agree with Johns
views because I feel as human beings, were powerful creatures. I believe that we all have the
power to make this world a better place. Paulo Freire had believed that schools are institutions
that dominant groups in specific cultures use to maintain inequities (Don Kauchak, Paul
Eggen). I believe that every student should have the same opportunities with their education and
should not be discriminated against their social class.

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I strongly believe that we, future teachers/existing teachers, have an influence on our
students no matter how big or small, we impact them in some way. I believe that the schools and
teachers should be involved in helping students out who struggle with issues such as drugs,
bullying, etc.
I also believe that literature, math, and science courses should be greatly emphasized. I
feel as though these subjects are crucial for our students as a basis for their overall education.
Because of this, my teaching methods will be consistent with perennialism. The term perennial
is and adjective meaning perpetual or long lasting consistent with the beliefs in the
constancy of nature, perennialists believe in rigorous curriculum that is essentially the same for
all students and remains the same over time (Don Kauchak, Paul Eggen). While this philosophy
emphasis on teaching the same curriculum over time, there are no rules on how you teach a
certain curriculum. What works for one teacher may not work the other; the same goes for the
students; what works for one student may not work for the other.
Perennialism has been around for a very, very long time. Our countrys founding fathers
held perennialist views, and historically, perennialism has been an important educational
philosophy in our country (Don Kauchak, Paul Eggen). A publication written by Mortimer
Adlers, (1982) The Paideia Proposal: An Education Manifesto, read that a general curriculum
for all students that included math, science, history, geography, literature, and fine arts The
goal in studying these topics was more development of intellectual skills; such as writing,
speaking, computing, and problem solving than the topics themselves. The content, together with
these skills, would lead to higher levels of thinking reflection and personal awareness (Don
Kauchak, Paul Eggen). Mortimer Adlers methods arent always used in schools today, however
his ideas still remain.

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While I am consistent with perennialism, I am more consistent with Social

Reconstuctionism, which leans more towards The Educational Theory of Progresivissim.
Progressivists believe that education should focus on the whole child, rather than on the content
or the teacher. This educational philosophy stresses that students should test ideas by active
experimentation. Learning is rooted in the questions of learners that arise through experiencing
the world (Oregon State University). I believe that the child/student should always be the main
priority.

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Works Cited
Kauchack, Don, and Paul Eggen. "Chapter 1." Introduction to Teaching Becoming a
Professional. Fifth ed. N.p.: Pearson, 2013. 1-535. Print.
"Oregon State University." Oregon State University. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2015.