Recognizing the strong link between content and character, the Core Virtues program was first introduced at the annual Core Knowledge Conference in 1995. The Core Knowledge Foundation, established by E.D. Hirsch Jr. in 1991, has been a tireless champion for a clearly articulated content sequence in K-8. Their outstanding work is on full display at www.coreknowledge.org. and many Core Virtues schools are also Core Knowledge schools. However our two initiatives, Core Virtues and Core Knowledge, are independent. Over the last thirty years other educational initiatives, such as the Classical Schools movement, have emerged as champions of strong content-based programs. Many of the literature, history and geography objectives used in classical schools display content overlap with the Core Knowledge sequence. In this chapter, we indicate ways that the Core Virtues program may be supported by or illuminate a strong content based curriculum, such as the Core Knowledge Program.
In this section we have compiled a grade-by-grade listing of stories, speeches, poetry, sayings, historical themes, works of art, and pieces of music specified in the exemplaryCore Knowledge Sequence that could be featured to reinforce the monthly virtues. After each entry an abbreviation indicates the strand of the Core Knowledge Sequence in which the item appears. The codes are: LA (Language Arts), WC (World Civilization), AC (American Civilization), S (Science), FA (Fine Arts), and M (Music).
Not all of the topics or figures listed here have reading list counterparts on our site, but many do, and others are available from the Core Knowledge Foundation, particularly in the Core Knowledge Classics Collection.