Lies My Teacher Told Me -- "It's Constitution Day! Time to Teach Obedience or History?" - 14 views

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  #1 theresabru on 03 Oct 12

   

  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-bigelow/constitution-day-_b_1882031.html
  
  Loewen makes clear the point that test book publishers omit truths from textbooks for the sake of glorifying American historical figures and promoting patriotism. He makes clear that the inaccuracies in history textbooks provide a disservice our country's students, which this article also stresses.
  
  (pg.9) "Not understanding their past renders many Americans incapable of thinking effectively about our present and future."

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-bigelow/constitution-day-_b_1882031.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-bigelow/constitution-day-_b_1882031.html</a> <br /> <br /> Loewen makes clear the point that test book publishers omit truths from textbooks for the sake of glorifying American historical figures and promoting patriotism. He makes clear that the inaccuracies in history textbooks provide a disservice our country's students, which this article also stresses. <br /> <br /> (pg.9) "Not understanding their past renders many Americans incapable of thinking effectively about our present and future."</div>

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  #2 Jessica Chambers on 08 Oct 12

   

  I am fascinated by the teacher from this article's lesson on the constitution. This brilliant activity allowed children to re-create the constitution as a diverse group of Americans, rather than white, male land owners. Issues like slavery were discussed and children were charged with writing a solution to it in the Constitution. This activity is a critical thinking lesson that allows children to question an undisputed document. It raises the question of obedience and allows for a discussion about why it is sometimes a good thing to be disobedient, especially if human rights are in question. I think this activity is helpful in students' understanding of America's not-so-free history. While textbooks have become more accurate in depicting American history and our founding fathers, they still uphold the constitution as a sacred document. While students should understand why the Constitution is relied upon when creating government policy, it is also important for them to understand the true history of it.

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">I am fascinated by the teacher from this article's lesson on the constitution. This brilliant activity allowed children to re-create the constitution as a diverse group of Americans, rather than white, male land owners. Issues like slavery were discussed and children were charged with writing a solution to it in the Constitution. This activity is a critical thinking lesson that allows children to question an undisputed document. It raises the question of obedience and allows for a discussion about why it is sometimes a good thing to be disobedient, especially if human rights are in question. I think this activity is helpful in students' understanding of America's not-so-free history. While textbooks have become more accurate in depicting American history and our founding fathers, they still uphold the constitution as a sacred document. While students should understand why the Constitution is relied upon when creating government policy, it is also important for them to understand the true history of it.</div>

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  #3 Valerie Valcourt on 09 Oct 12

   

  I think more teachers should take upon themselves the responsibility of being well-rounded in each subject they're teaching. For instance, things such as U.S. History should be studied from all different angles. For example, in the book Loewen made it clear that several accounts of history are overlooked and textbooks are biased. So the type of setting this teacher is trying to place is a great way to raise up well-rounded and well-educated students. The teacher allows them to take on a role and to basically play it as it pertains to what is stated in the Constitution. Because they took on roles such as slaves, farmers and workers they're able to see how narrow-minded the writers of the Constitution were. Also, it can cause to student to challenge whatever they're being taught. Although that may be a challenge to some educators, it is necessary for each student to develop their own opinions and perspectives from a wide range of sources dealing with a particular historic event, person or place.

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">I think more teachers should take upon themselves the responsibility of being well-rounded in each subject they're teaching. For instance, things such as U.S. History should be studied from all different angles. For example, in the book Loewen made it clear that several accounts of history are overlooked and textbooks are biased. So the type of setting this teacher is trying to place is a great way to raise up well-rounded and well-educated students. The teacher allows them to take on a role and to basically play it as it pertains to what is stated in the Constitution. Because they took on roles such as slaves, farmers and workers they're able to see how narrow-minded the writers of the Constitution were. Also, it can cause to student to challenge whatever they're being taught. Although that may be a challenge to some educators, it is necessary for each student to develop their own opinions and perspectives from a wide range of sources dealing with a particular historic event, person or place.</div>

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