The Core Knowledge Sequence is a detailed outline of content in language arts, history, geography, science, and the fine arts, spanning grades K-8. Detailed in the What your [K-8th grader] Needs to Know book series, E. D. Hirsch’s Core Knowledge Sequence is based on the belief that students should gain a core of shared knowledge: “This knowledge forms a necessary foundation for the higher-order reading, writing, and thinking skills that children need for academic and vocational success."
The Core Knowledge Sequence has been tested and proven to be effective in increasing student academic achievement. “Over [a] six-year review period, Core Knowledge schools performed well above the national average, with their collective performance increasingly higher than the norm. This performance advantage was evident across the six content areas. The same trend was evident across schools of different sizes, different socio-economic composition, and different ethnic composition. Based on these findings, there appears to be a strong relationship between student performance and the Core Knowledge curriculum.”(John Wedman and Alex Waigandt, “Core Knowledge Curriculum and School Performance: A National Study,” September 2004.)
The Core Knowledge Curriculum is broken into several areas of study:
HISTORY / GEOGRAPHY - Students will develop their map skills, and will learn about various cultures and historical events. They will also learn about historical "heroes" and their contributions to society.
SCIENCE - Students will learn about scientists and inventors across history, and will become familiar with their contributions. Students will also participate in hands-on scientific experiments and scientific inquiry.
LANGUAGE - Students will become familiar with American and cross-cultural folk tales, fairy tales, poetry, idioms.
ART - Students will learn about famous American and cross-cultural artists, and will experience creating their own art in a variety of artistic styles and forms.
MUSIC - Students will learn about famous musicians and composers, and will listen to their work. Students will also learn to sing a variety of American folk songs.