K'sMom -
Wow. This reminds me about something I read somewhere regarding at-grade proficiency, etc. that was questioning how it is we determine what should be learned at each grade. How do we know what grade-level proficiency looks like, anyway? Because content experts decided so. But what is their criteria? Some of it makes sense, some if it is somewhat (or completely) arbitrary. Some of it make ssense in a cummulative way, but not necessarily regarding order. Take many of the well-regarded homeschooling math products, for instance: they often teach completely different things at the same level, though eventually they all end up in or about the same place.
It makes me wonder what our kids are really supposed to learn, why, and when. For instance, here's one thing that seems bizarre to me -- though I'm sure many parents disagree. Social studies in the early grades seems to be in large part indoctrination on patriotism. I'm more of a "Love America (or whatever country you may be from). But love her wisely. Work hard to cure the faults under which she labors..." than a "Love America - period" type person. I want my kid to learn the skills to be discerning FIRST and then learn about the people/events.
