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Read a previous article "Good
Physical Health and Spirituality: Are They Connected?"
What Do We Know about Quality Education and What Can We Learn from Time-Honored Proverbs?
Even though test scores are rising nationally, there is lots of debate about the quality of education in the U.S. The debate comes from all fronts-teachers, parents, students, administrators, local school boards, and national and state legislators. There are debates about budget cutbacks, teacher salaries, and when to start and end the school year. There are even heated debates about what is a fair test. There are also questions in some school districts about why the number of recognized or commended schools has fallen in recent years.
What Is Quality Education?
Many theories abound about quality education. Most experts claim that quality
education is the result of a collaborative effort on the part of administrators,
teachers, students, government agencies, and the entire local community.
"Nothing will improve the quality of life in any community more than quality
schools. Young people who are involved in quality education do not engage in
self-destructive activities and are an asset to the community. And since most
industries can now be located anywhere, good schools are a major incentive for
industry to move to a community. There is no more effective and economical way
to improve the economy of a community than for it to become known for excellent
schools... Once quality becomes part of our classes, students will be proud of
what they do and this pride will become contagious. While we may never be able
to define quality in school in any exact way, if both teachers and students work
steadily to achieve it, they may be able to reach it without being able to define
it. "
Curriculum Innovation and Quality Education
It is very refreshing and almost startling to see educators who are not bogged
down in theoretic debates about quality education. Rather, they are doing
creative things in the classroom-reaching out to students on a daily basis.
For example, a middle school in Vermont has added a course on proverbs to
their curriculum. During the school year proverbs such as "All that
glitters is not gold" and "Haste makes waste" are discussed
and analyzed by fourth graders. The student response has been very positive
and engaging. They are able to relate the proverbs to today's world and to
their daily concerns and aspirations. Teachers and parents alike are amazed
at how students respond to proverbial wisdom. It helps them develop intellectual
virtues and a commitment to moral values.
This curriculum is both innovative and unusually practical and do-able. There are thousands and thousands of proverbs. They come from all nations. They are succinct and memorable. Some proverbs are simple folk sayings like "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Some have much broader meanings and are much more philosophical like "Opportunity seldom knocks twice." Some are puzzling and intriguing like "There is more than one way to skin a cat." Whatever form they take, proverbs are words of wisdom handed down from generation to generation. They are not platitudes. They force us to think. They are part of everyday conversations that invite us to clarify events as they unfold before our very eyes.
What about Biblical Proverbs?
Proverbs are part of our scriptural tradition. The Book of Proverbs is made
up of wise sayings of several authors. Solomon is the best known these authors.
He is the son of David. While David is associated with the psalms, Solomon
is associated with proverbs.
The Book of Proverbs is a collection of sayings
that get us to think. These sayings cover a wide range of themes. Their
purpose is to help us make wise choices and avoid acting foolishly. They
draw our attention to God's wisdom. They help us to live wisely and act
prudently. In a certain sense, proverbs are meant to apply to all situations
of life. They are all-encompassing and have practical applications whether
at home or work, in marriage and family life, and in government and commerce.
In all of these situations, they follow a similar pattern: The advice
of previous generations passed on to following generations is the source
of practical wisdom in the context of
• Family-For instance, Proverbs 1:8-9; 6:20-23 reminds us that a happy home provides space for happy children. The responsibility for bringing up children is one that is shared between husband and wife.
• Friends-Next to a good and happy family, we need good friends and neighbors (see Proverbs 25:17; 27:10).
• Society-Honesty, justice, and fairness are needed in the context of large groups and should operate in all of society (see Proverb 1:3)
The Book of Proverbs ends with a poem in praise of the ideal wife (see Proverbs 31:10-31). The qualities of the ideal wife are a summarized version of all the good qualities that are described in the Book or Proverbs. The ideal wife is trustworthy, hard-working, good at business, far-sighted, clever with her hands, and generous to the needy. Her secret is that she fears the Lord and the outcome is that her family is proud of her.
What Difference Does This Make in My
Life?
1. What are some of your favorite proverbs? What insights and practical wisdom
do they communicate to you? To the modern world?
2. What are some proverbs that you come across in personal conversations? In
news stories? What insights and practical wisdom do they impart to you? To
the modern world?
3. Benjamin Franklin's "Poor Richard's Almanacks" are a classic in
American literature. They were immensely popular in colonial America. Franklin's
rule for writing was to be smooth, clear, and practical and to serve the common
public. His sayings soon passed into everyday speech and conversation. They
quickly became catchphrases. It was not unusual for ordinary conversations
to begin by quoting an exact proverb, "As Poor Richard says ...." What
do you think was the reason for the popularity of Benjamin's Franklin's proverbs
in colonial America? Why do they continue to be popular in today's modern world
of speed and instant communication?
4. Some of Franklin's proverbs added a humorous slant to practical wisdom.
What humor do you find in these Benjamin Franklin proverbs: "Fish and
visitors stink after three days" or "Love your neighbor but don't
pull down your hedge" or "To err is human, to repent is divine, to
persist is devilish" or "If your head is wax, don't walk in the sun."
5. What is your definition of quality education? What would a course on proverbs
add to the meaning of your definition of quality education?
6. What are some advantages of teaching proverbs in curriculum programs? What
would be some of the personal benefits for you? Describe how such a course
would help you think and make better choices? What might be the ideal grade
level for adding a course on proverbs? Explain. How would it add to the meaning
of your own definition of quality education?
7. Look over the following biblical proverbs. What insights and practical wisdom
do they provide that help us gain a better understanding of:
• Family (see Proverbs1:8-9; 6:20-23)
• Friends (see Proverbs 25:17; 27:10)
• Society (see Proverbs 1:3)
8. Closing prayer.
Grant me, Lord, to know what is worth knowing,
to love what is worth loving,
to praise what delights you most,
to hate what is offensive to you.
Do not let me judge by what I see,
nor pass sentence according to what I hear,
but to judge rightly between things that differ,
and above all to search out and to do what pleases you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-Thomas a Kempis
Connecting to Faith First® Legacy
Edition
Theme: Proverbs, Prayer, and Wisdom Guide People through Life
Kindergarten, chapter 19
Grade 1, chapter 15
Grade 2, chapter 21
Grade 3, chapter 18
Grade 4, chapter 19
Grade 5, chapter 20
Grade 6, chapter 23
Junior High, Mystery of God, chapter 1
Junior High, Church and Sacraments, chapter 5
Junior High, Morality: Life in Christ, chapter 3
Junior High, Jesus in the New Testament, chapter 8
Connecting to Faith First® Original
Edition
Theme: Proverbs, Prayer, and Wisdom Guide People through Life
Kindergarten, chapter 19
Grade 1, chapter 15
Grade 2, chapter 21
Grade 3, chapter 22
Grade 4, chapter 19
Grade 5, chapter 20
Grade 6, chapter 23
Junior High: Liturgy and Morality, chapter 12
Junior High: Creed and Prayer, chapter 18
