Connection Between Classics and Values

I am writing in response to another fine column by Christine Baron Jan. 5, “Censoring the Classics Hinders Search for Values.” She is most correct about the connection between classic literature and understanding one’s values.

My child has the good fortune of having her for a teacher. Things happen in class just the way she describes. I attribute this to two things. She is a true professional and has a real undergraduate degree, i.e. an academic one.

While both are important, the former would be of limited value without the latter. If she had the more common degree in education, she would likely have limited comprehension of the classics. She would not be able to handle the controversial subject matter beyond a superficial level. We need more teachers like Baron. Further, we need to send them students who are better prepared for what professionals like her have to offer. This means getting serious about solid phonics training and scuttling the mostly content-free, but politically correct, material currently used at the lower levels.

Beyond teaching the younger students how to read, we need to prepare them for high school-level expository writing so that they can express their critical thinking on paper. That means resuming the teaching of spelling, grammar, syntax, diagraming, conjugation and parts of speech. Today they receive little more than lip service.

BRUCE CRAWFORD, Fountain Valley