A pet peeve that has been wearing on me lately is the term “core classes.” (If anyone else has encountered this term in their workplace, please feel free to comment.) For those of you unfamiliar with this term, it is used to describe Math, Science, English and History. The problem with this term is that everything else is referred to as “non-core,” which can give the impression that they are “non-essential.” In my district, my class has been referred to as an “exploratory class” and even a “Quartet Class.” (Technology, Home and Careers, and Art are the other wheels in the “Quad.” I have no idea what Physical Education and Health are called…) Lately, I have really been getting annoyed with this label because it sets a bad impression on students and staff alike.
When the term “core” was decided on to describe Math, Science, History and English it made it clear that these four classes were the most important. They are the “essentials” of education and therefore should lie at the core of education. Clearly, this conflicts with the idea that each class is essential to create a well rounded student. There is no hierarchy on the report cards when grades are given. The “core” and “non-core” classes are weighed the same so why do we make a distinction of class and importance with these damaging phrases?
By using this classification we create a negative or less than equal view towards important classes. I know that music, art, home and career, technology, physical education, and health are just as essential as the other classes and the students should have the same mentality. When we use these terms we become self destructive. We must critically think about what we do and say if we expect our students to do the same.
(And if you think your class is more important than mine just remember what Albert Einstein said…)
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.”
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