Description
Most Amish children attend school in one- or two-room private schools, and end their formal education at the eighth grade. Some criticize the Amish approach to education, seeing it as a means of restricting the individual. The Amish, however, root their belief in limited formal education for both religious and practical reasons. This community also largely believes an eighth-grade education is practical. The Amish trades are agricultural or craftsmanship-oriented, and the Amish community emphasize apprenticeship and hands-on learning. And, the Amish feel higher education can promote ideas counter to their Christian values.
Source-Dependent Questions
- Look closely at the photo and discuss what you notice. How is this school different from yours? How is it similar?
- Most Amish children attend school in one- or two-room private schools, and end their formal education at the eighth grade. This community also largely believes an eighth-grade education is practical. The Amish trades are agricultural or craftsmanship-oriented, and the Amish community emphasize apprenticeship and hands-on learning. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks to students only having an eight grade education. How would this be different in an Amish community?
- The Amish, however, root their belief in limited formal education for both religious and practical reasons. And, the Amish feel higher education can promote ideas counter to their Christian values. Some people criticize the Amish approach to education. Discuss why some people would disagree with the Amish way of educating.
Citation Information
Collier, John, Jr., "Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Mennonite School Teacher with Class of Amish, Mennonite, and Pennsylvania Dutch Children," March 1942. Courtesy of Library of Congress