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Education in Ancient America
A school is a specific educational establishment, usually designed to offer specific learning spaces and learning settings for the teaching of pupils under the supervision of qualified teachers. Most states have systems of conventional formal education, which can be compulsory. In such systems, students normally progress through a sequence of primary schools, intermediate schools and tertiary schools. In most cases, they then enter college, or university to complete their course of study. Pupils will continue this process until they become a fully fledged adult.
In order to achieve academic qualification in any of the above institutions, students need to attend classes on a regular basis, with some intervals in between. They also require certain skills such as attention to detail, ability to organise and follow instructions, as well as the ability to listen and understand. A prerequisite for entering into a classroom is to have attended primary school for at least four years. In most cases, students will also need to have obtained a high school diploma or GED before they are eligible for a place in a primary school. Generally, a student will need to apply for admission to the relevant school before they wish to proceed with any courses.
Primary school instruction generally starts with children attending nursery schools, where they receive instruction in growing and developing healthy attitudes and manners, as well as basic nutrition. During the first two years, children will gain considerable experience in various disciplines, including health and sciences, arts and crafts, reading, writing, mathematical and logical instruction, science, geography, and agriculture. These experiences form the foundation for forming the academic knowledge that will form the basis of the next stage of learning, primary school instruction. This instruction is delivered either in a classroom with a teacher and a small group of pupils, or in a specialised environment, such as a garden or playground. Throughout this period, children will be encouraged to explore different options and develop their own interests.
The second year of primary instruction sees the introduction of phonics, spelling, and reading. Phonics is the method of introducing words and phrases, using the alphabet, and the related sounds, to create words and phrases that children can understand. This method of teaching is based on the work of Sir Alfred Seward, who is also responsible for the first standard spelling rules in the United States. The aim is to teach children the sounds of letters and the significance behind them. In order to succeed, a child needs to learn the alphabetical order of each letter, and recognise and reproduce the sounds of common spellings.
The third year of primary education sees further development in the areas of spelling and grammar, with the introduction of a new syllabus. This syllabus now incorporates a common doctrine, namely the doctrine of the unity of church and state, that is supported by the US Conference of Churches, although not specified as such in any legislation. It is hoped that this will stimulate further discussion on religion and public policy. The fourth year of primary instruction sees the introduction of what are called “duties of learning,” which are duties that are expected of children under common discipline rules.
The main thrust of the fourth year of primary instruction is the establishment of what are called “general duties of learning.” These duties are grouped around the theme of disputation. Disputation is a fundamental part of all education, and there are many different forms of disputation. In this system, one party addresses another party, or a group of parties, and is allowed to make disputable points of view, usually about religion, politics, philosophy, science, and so on. Points of view are subject to the scrutiny of other members of the class, and the teacher has the duty to check the veracity and acceptability of the views of his or her students before permitting them to proceed to a discussion of the ideas advanced.