Are We in Too Deep?

New York State has created a series of modules to help teachers implement the Common Core Standards. These standards are incredibly ambitious. I have looked at what is planned for students in grades 3-5. The topics are excellent and the proposed lesson plans are detailed. I do object, though, to some of the reading materials used. On Friday, I took an in-depth view of one of the fourth grade modules that focuses on women's rights. Students are required to read the original speech of Susan B. Anthony from 1872. I understand that students are often able to comprehend subject matter that is way over their heads with support and scaffolding. However, I thought this article was pushing our students into the deep end of the pool with a rubber duck. Susan B. Anthony's speech is beautifully written and posits a convincing argument on why women should be allowed to vote. However, the vocabulary and sentence structures are very sophisticated. Words like oligarchy, odious, aristocracy, ex post facto are all mentioned. Will fourth graders grasp these broad ideas? Are we in too deep?