Kumashiro defines common sense as what belongs or is the social norms of a certain area. Common sense can be shaped by environment, culture, and more specifically, the curriculum and pedagogy in schools. An important thing to note about common sense is that it is not always that common. Different groups refer to common sense in a variety of ways. In the reading, Kumashiro mentions that while he/she is in Nepal, meals are limited to twice a day whereas most Canadians eat at least three meals a day (page 29). Therefore, what is determined as common sense is dependant on location and social norms.

Now, why is common sense important? Well, it can be dangerous to assume that what is seen as common sense is always right, regardless of where one is and that anything that goes against common sense is wrong. This can lead to a counterproductive process of incorporating change into new environments. Kumashiro wanted to create a different type of learning environment in Nepal, where every class was less based on memorization and note taking and more based on student interaction (page 30). Kumashiro’s attempts to teach differently did not make sense to the students and faculty in Nepal (page 31). He/She goes on to record that the Peace Corps were similarly trying to change how teaching was generally experienced by making it more like U.S. schools. This in of itself was not problematic but thinking that the U.S. school system was better and the right way of teaching caused common sense in Nepal to look wrong. Kumashiro writes “[c]ommon sense does not often tell us that the status quo is quite oppressive […] instead, common sense often makes it easy to continue teaching and learning in ways that allow the oppressions already in play to continue” (page 36). As a society, we need to ensure that we are not letting common sense determine what is right and wrong because ignoring common sense can cause misconceptions about differences in the way people live.

Common sense understandings of curriculum and pedagogy are exposed to anyone who has ever been in a school system. Some understandings I bring into this course are that curriculum is a guideline of what needs to be taught and that pedagogy is the different methods of how to teach those guidelines in a way every student can understand. Curriculum is the backbone for pedagogy. Pedagogy is the part of teaching that allows for creativity and keeps students engaged in the curriculum. Pedagogy could be essays, quizzes, and exams or projects, activities and group assignments. Every new learning method brought into the classroom is going to shape each student’s view of common sense in their environment.

Kumashiro. (2009). Against Common Sense: Teaching and Learning Toward Social Justice, pp. XXIX – XLI).