Catholic Values In American Schools

Throughout history, schools have been in place for a variety of reasons, and they have increasingly been shaped by the society around them.
Early on in the history of education, it was uncommon for children to attend for long because they were working to support their families. It was not seen early on as a gateway to a better and more successful life. Businesses also had a large influence on schools shortly after, and schools during the factory era were tailored to produce factory ready workers who knew how to successfully join the labor force that was in demand. Schools have also been used, especially in American history, to impose Christian values on minorities such as the Native Americans, to try to eliminate their culture and “Americanize” …show more content…
This being said, everything that is done while living should be oriented towards making it to Heaven. Educators, besides parents themselves, are the best resource to educate students about the Catholic faith. Ultimately, schools are a resource to help students find their vocation in life by learning about a variety of subject matter, and how it all ties back to Christ. Students should be educated on how and why they should desire Heaven. A curriculum that is centered on Catholic values and tradition would be ideal, and Constructivist approaches could be tied in nicely to teach this curriculum. However, this is not practical in most schools across America, but the same principles could be applied in a variety of environments. In public schools for example, a holistic approach could be used to form individuals in all areas, not just academics. This would more align with Neo-Thomism beliefs, and this approach is driven by similar goals, just under different names. A curriculum should be set to educate all students on essentially the same subject matter and skills, however, it should also be catered to serve students on an individual level. Once a curriculum is set, students should be allowed to reach the goals through a variety of techniques. Reaching all learners where they are and differentiating instruction is necessary when following a …show more content…
Typically the teacher would lecture at the front of the class, and the students would listen at their desks. With younger children, it may have looked a little different, but for the most part this was the arrangement of the classroom. With the newest trends in education, the focus is put on the students themselves, and classrooms look much different from traditional style classrooms. Students have new expectations placed upon them, and rather than being passive recipients of information, they take on a more active role in the classroom. Instead of coming to school each day and listening to teachers lecture, doing worksheets, and staying quiet for long periods of time, students should be more involved in the learning process. They are given some choice in what their education looks like, rather than simply being told what to do all the time. Since learning occurs in a social setting, students are expected and encouraged to interact with their peers during class time. Allowing students to take part in meaningful discussions and activities is vital to learning, and students must be taught how to actively take part in topic conversations and activities. Learners must become active participants, and work towards inputting knowledge into their existing knowledge in a way that makes sense to