Chapter 7: Toward Curricula That Are Of, By, And Therefore For Students

It is our central purpose to argue that schools should create curricula that are of, by, and for the students they serve. We also wish to argue that most students experience curricula that are not of, by, and for them.

Their curricular experience is admittedly intended for them, but it cannot be for in the sense that it is personally meaningful to them, unless it is first of and by the experience that life has wrought within them.

The life of Hans Giebenrath illustrates this distinction. Hans, the principal character in Hermann Hesse’s novel Beneath the Wheel, is an adolescent living in a small German town in the late 19th century. The town is relatively untouched by the outside world except in the case of major events and extraordinary achievements. Hans’ performance in school became one such extraordinary achievement. Ministers, school masters, and the like were quick to realize that Hans had special gifts of intellect. They were equally quick to offer, even impose, their assistance to Hans. They unquestioningly accepted their roles as determiners and bestowers of intellectual gifts that would be good for Hans. The acquisition of these gifts became, for awhile, Hans’ single-minded pursuit. His steadfast study brought honor, recognition, high scores on the state examination, and acceptance to the prestigious Maulbronn Theological Academy.