Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Muppet book for Kindergartners too bleak for school board member pushing American Exceptionalism.

Consider the source? It's a simple solution for communities that are being asked to spin their wheels on another outrageous attempt to censor books in our schools. Just how bad could a Muppet book be that shows compassion for a child that lives in a box? 

Right Wing curriculum based on "American Exceptionalism:" We're seeing this American Exceptionalist movement take off in deep red Republican states that want to replace Common Core with a positive spin on American history - none of that bad stuff.  

The Muppet book is targeted by a new school board member, who as recently as July...
...threatened not to enroll her child in the district last week over new standards for social studies classes that dictate how teachers should prepare children to be world citizens. "This curriculum will fundamentally transform the next generation's perception of America, and what makes us great and unique," said School Board member Mary Carney.
Holy crap? So shouldn't we consider the source before spending time reviewing an innocent Muppet book. As you can see by the Amazon ratings, parents loved the book...except for one.
Curriculum based on this...???
MARSHFIELD - A school board member who fears a children's book about the Muppets is too graphic for young children will try to get the book removed from kindergarten curriculum ... the book “For Every Child a Better World” by Jim Henson ... she contends, contains images of suffering children living in poverty and violence, including one illustration that shows a child living in a box in the rain. Some people have said they were traumatized after reading the book, according to Mary Carney, who cited online reviews as evidence.
“I just have concerns that it’s too graphic, even though these are Muppets characters. Unfortunately in this world there is a lot of war and strife and poverty; I understand that. I just don’t know how appropriate that is to be teaching that to 5-year-olds.”
Carney, who was elected to the School Board in April, has previously raised concerns with the school's kindergarten through sixth grade social studies curriculum. As part of objecting to the Henson book in July, Carney also claimed the curriculum takes away teachers' autonomy and "downplays American exceptionalism" by focusing too much on global affairs.

As for the book, Carney wants it removed from the district’s kindergarten social studies curriculum, which teachers are scheduled to use in early 2016. She is also asking that district administrators keep a closer watch on what books are being used in schools.

School Board Vice President Amber Leifheit, who heads the School Board's Curriculum and Instruction Committee, said no one aside from Carney has raised concerns about the book. In fact, Leifheit said, she read the book and found it acceptable. "Looking at it, I do not have concerns. I believe it shows compassion for people other than yourself. I think that’s a good thing."

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