Jona C.

Concepcion
BSED ENGLISH 3
EDUC 327

"The Saber-Tooth Curriculum by Harold Benjamin 1939"

Reflection Paper

Harold Benjamin's 1938 book was perplexing, fascinating, thought-provoking, and

yet still contemporary. At first, I found it difficult to take this book seriously, but then I
discovered that the author's manner of conveying his thoughts about education was quite
ingenious..
The author, I believe, is seeking to spark the reader's interest in some significant,
serious, and divisive concerns about education, the educational system, and curriculum. This
was a space for the author to express and explain his views on important and often disputed
issues. As the book points out, people's views on education are typically divisive, but this
storytelling method gives the author greater opportunity to say exactly what he wants in a
lighthearted manner. This author has the capacity to produce innuendos and assertions that
are normally offensive or politically incorrect. These lectures allow the reader to connect the
stories to the current educational system and its relevance, whether in 1939 or 2022.
The Saber-Tooth Curriculum covers issues including higher education's purpose,
progressive schooling, systematic education, industry's participation in education, and future
leader development. This short book is jam-packed with information about why education is
so important to individuals, communities, tribes, nations, and the entire world.
Leaders must be able to adjust their educational systems to meet the needs of their
people in a changing world. Even if a certain strategy or curriculum has proven effective,
people must be willing to imagine and utilize their ability to develop and change to suit the
demands and needs of the times and the people in their era. When I was writing this paper,
I came across topics and concepts that I had missed throughout my preliminary reading.
One of the reasons the book has lasted so long could be due to this.
Despite being written in 1939, I believe this book is still relevant today. Harold
Benjamin addressed concerns and challenges that educators and society have faced for
many years. Parents, administrators, teachers, and governmental agencies are still debating
the best ways to educate and prepare adolescents for further study and employment.
Leaders continue to dispute and disagree on the direction of the curriculum and how to
evaluate our students. I don't see any issues other than trying to understand all of the
lectures and relate them to the school system. This indirect method of presenting his views
on the educational system perplexed me at first.
This book reminded me why it's critical for me to get to know my potential students
and what they want from me. I understand that if a topic is no longer relevant to my
students' needs or their future, I will never teach it in the same way in future lectures.
Teachers and decision-makers must be open to change, even if it is more convenient for
them to keep schools and curriculums the same. Even though I'm still a student, this year
has provided me with some extremely demanding lectures, and Harold Benjamin's book
reminded me that teaching is not about the instructor. This reading has demonstrated me
that my issues are not new. Cultures and nations have changed their educational systems
over time for a variety of reasons, and I should not feel alone in this fight. I want my future
students to be able to think critically and be ready to reach their goals.