ESSENTIALISM

Essentialism is the view that every entity has a set of attributes

that are necessary to its identity and function. In early western
thought, Plato’s idealism held that all things have such an
“essence” – an “idea” or “form”. In categories, Aristotle
similarly proposed that all objects have a substance that “make
the thing what it is, and without which it would be not that kind
of thing”.
ESSENTIALISM
Philosophical Theories

Individuals
Refers to The basic idea is should be able to
traditional or that there are distinguish
back-to-the basic certain essentials between the
approach to that all men ought essentials and
education to know non-essentials in
one’s existence
ESSENTIALISM
Philosophical Theories

Was too rigid to Emphasizes

prepare students instruction in
Owes its
for adult life natural science
underpinnings to
rather than
Believed that both realism and
philosophy and
knowledge can be idealism
comparative
obtained anywhere religion
ESSENTIALISM IN EDUCATION
AIM: Instill the essentials of academic knowledge and character
development

Curriculum – “The 3 R’s”: Essential subjects such as English, Science,

History, Math and Foreign Languages, Literature

Teaching – “Learning Process”: Students are required to master

information and basic techniques, gradually moving from simple to
complex
ESSENTIALISM
METHODS OF TEACHING
Return to the essentials of reading,
Writing writing, arithmetic, history and
English
Computing
Measurement
Application of
knowledge in real-life
situations PROPONENT: William
Bagley
ESSENTIALISM

Is the educational philosophy of teaching basic

skills. This philosophy advocates training the mind.
Essentialist educators focus on transmitting a series
of progressively difficult topics and promotion of
students to the next level or grade.
ESSENTIALISM
Subjects are focused on the historical context of the
material world and culture, and move sequentially to give
a solid understanding of the present day. This philosophy
stresses core knowledge in reading, writing, math,
science, history, foreign language, and technology.
The tools include lecturing, memorization, repetition,
practice, and assessment.
ESSENTIALISM
Essentialism is a common model in U.S. public schools today.
A typical day at an essentialist school might have seven periods,
with students attending a different class each period.
The teachers impart knowledge mainly through conducting
lectures, during which students are expected to take notes. The
students are provided with practice worksheets or hands-on
projects, followed by an assessment of the learning material
covered during this process.
ESSENTIALISM
The students continue with the same daily schedule for a
semester or a year. When their assessments show sufficient
competence, they are promoted to the next grade or class
to learn more difficult material.
For each class, the school board has approved a specific
curriculum, which must be taught, although how it is
taught is left to the teacher’s discretion.
 SCIENCE 4 CURRICULUM
FIRST QUARTER
  K to 12 Learning Competencies MELCs
Merged/Clustered Identify the effects of decaying materials on one’s health Identify the changes in materials whether useful or
and safety (S4MT-Ib-2) harmful to one’s environment (MELC 4)
 
Demonstrate proper disposal of waste according to the
properties of its materials (S4MT-Ic-d-3)

Classify materials based on the ability to absorb water, Classify materials based on the ability to absorb
float, sink, undergo decay (S4MT-Ia-1) water, float, sink, undergo decay (MELC 1)

Describe the changes in solid materials when they are Describe the changes in solid materials when they
bent, pressed, hammered or cut (S4MT-Ie-f-5) are bent, pressed, hammered or cut (MELC 2)
Retained
Describe the changes in properties of materials when Describe the changes in properties of materials
exposed to certain conditions such as temperature or when when exposed to certain conditions such as
mixed with other materials (S4MT-Ig-h-6) temperature or when mixed with other materials
(MELC 3)
Dropped None None