Lowering Higher Learning Early
Dr. Joseph Martin Stevenson
Abstract
The purpose of the commentary is frame the reasoning, premises and rationale for teaching liberal arts in elementary schools to not only empower younger students for higher education earlier, but to also prepare these empowered students for potentially becoming professors in American higher learning or other “thought leaders” in American society and the world. This below image, identified as “higher learning” of the elementary schooler in an academic setting, metaphorically depicts where this commentary is going. Among the areas will be the introduction of the backward design theory and the Socratic teaching method in elementary education through secondary school. The author will later introduce a backward designed, K-12 systematic framework for teaching elements of the liberal arts from Socratic teaching methods.