Aristotle in Kindergarten—What Do Children Miss?
When I read in The New York Times about Matthew Levey, a Columbia alum and former McKinsey consultant, who is setting up the International Charter School of New York, I was stunned! The school is starting out with 70 kindergartners and first graders and will eventually go up to fifth grade.
Mr. Levey starting a school doesn’t stun me. MBAs, with no teaching or education credentials, starting up schools is trendy. While my college prepared, fully credentialed teacher friends in their public school classrooms are evaluated with gotcha exams to push them out of their careers, if you are a business person it’s an open field.
Our tax dollars are yours no matter who you are and what you teach!
Mr. Levy has plans for these little children. He cares about teaching them: how Francis Bacon developed the scientific method, why Aristotle matters and what led to the decline of the Roman Empire. That’s what stuns me.
How many five year olds do you know who have been yearning to find out about Aristotle? And do you really want your little kid learning about the fall of a civilization?
What are the other things they could be learning at this important developmental period in their lives?
I don’t want to discourage a child’s quest for great thoughts, and maybe some Aristotle in Kindergarten—What Do Children Miss?: