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WE DUG INTO THE ARCHIVES to find tidbits from previous issues of the ATA Magazine that are worth another look, either because of their relevance today, or as a reminder of how far we’ve come. You decide.
Can you match the following excerpts with the year that they were originally published? 1953, 1967, 1992, 2008
1. A NEW HEALTH CURRICULUM
It would appear reasonable, then, to alter the existing “health” courses into a meaningful study of the function of man’s body and emotions, his cultures and sciences — including the different religions, values, and personal and social problems, and the mechanism of human behaviour.
The cognitive part of these subject matters could be gathered into three large areas: The World Within Us, The World Around Us, and Man and His Works.
Your guess: ______
2. A VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
There have been many quarrels among educators as to the merits of cultural versus vocational education. This is unfortunate. The obvious truth is that every human being needs both. Status and happiness rest on ability to fit into the employment pattern and make a vital contribution. There is, of course, the obvious fact that in our society money is the medium of exchange, and the ability to earn some of it is absolutely necessary for food, clothing and shelter. Tragic, indeed, is the fate of the educated person who has no sound vocational base.
On the other hand, technical skill alone does not make a life or a society. […] As the labour movement has come to greater power and participation in community and government, its members have need for more than vocational skills. They need insight into the issues and trends of their time.
Your guess: ______
3. MUSIC ACROSS THE DISCIPLINES
Music is science—the science of sound that is graphed and charted with precision. Music is literature—the notation can be read by people all over the world, and much of it tells a story. Music is mathematics—its rhythmic notation relates to fractions. Music is a foreign language—the terminology is usually Italian. Music is social studies—its qualities reflect the times and places of its origin. Music is physical education—it takes tremendous muscular co-ordination to produce vocal and instrumental sounds as well as to dance and to engage in other movement activities. Music is health—the anatomy of vocal production is fascinating. And finally, and most importantly, music is art—it expresses universal ideas and emotions aurally.
Your guess: ______
4. LANGUAGE LEARNING
The world has more multilingual than monolingual people, and in this global village, it is even more worthwhile to speak additional languages. English may be growing increasingly popular worldwide, but it is still not spoken by three quarters of the world population. Should Canadians be left behind by Europeans, who often easily speak at least two languages? And why would anyone argue that Canadian students should not have their brains better developed by learning a second language? Learning a second language opens so many doors—it’s a portal to a different culture and often leads to a better understanding of oneself.
Your guess: ______
Answers:
1. “Family Life and Sex Education.” George Szasa. Sept/Oct 1967.
2. “Labour’s Concern for Education.” Orville C. Jones. April 1953.
3. “Let the Music Roll On!” Barbara Shave. February 1992.
4. “Alberta Leads the Way in Second Languages.” Kathryn Speck. Fall 2008.
