I was reminded today that history is truly all around us. Many times students question why they have to study history...this is both a devastating and exciting question for history teachers. On the one hand devastating, because we love studying history and expect everyone else to also. Our hearts deflate just a little when we realize most 8th graders are not chomping at the bit to read a newspaper from 1775. But, exciting because it gives us an opportunity to discuss why history is important/relevant/fun etc. It can be a tough sell for some students, but I like to think that eventually they come around! Typically answers come mostly from historical thinkers, philosophers and politicians. I think everyone needs to find their own connection to history, but wow, some of these people have some inspirational quotes. Take, for example, Spanish-born American philosopher George Satayana who famously said: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it". Powerful stuff, right? Or how about this classic from Winston Churchill: “The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” As you can see, these can get a little deep...Then consider this quote by author Dan Brown: “History is always written by the winners. When two cultures clash, the loser is obliterated, and the winner writes the history books-books which glorify their own cause and disparage the conquered foe. As Napoleon once said, 'What is history, but a fable agreed upon?”History; a fable? This is where things get tricky and fun - how to appropriately study history when we were not there to witness it. History is an exploration of the past. Everyone's journey into the past is different. Interpretations and perceptions vary from person to person. That's what makes history fun. Or confusing, if you talk to 8th grade students. It seems I may be getting ahead of myself here, but as we begin the year and move through the early colonial era in America, please follow along. You too may questions information you learned and start to reshape your understanding of the past. History is simply, an argument about the past. What evidence can you collect to create your argument?
I leave you with this very clever and catchy tune by Billy Joel that got me thinking about how history is everywhere. I'm sure you'll recognize it; the challenge is: how many events and people will you recognize?
I leave you with this very clever and catchy tune by Billy Joel that got me thinking about how history is everywhere. I'm sure you'll recognize it; the challenge is: how many events and people will you recognize?