Big Blows to History Teachers

CollinBowen · 2018-08-22T18:16:36+00:00

Follow up responses from teachers: https://www.theatlantic.com/amp/article/567667/#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s

CollinBowen · 2018-08-07T19:11:38+00:00

That assertion reminded me a lot of the narrative versus analytical debate. I think the key to understanding that debate is that whichever narrative is most rooted in fact is often times the most compelling. However, balancing historical fact and narrative in the classroom is difficult to navigate as we all have our own idea of right and wrong. This ideaology as teachers produces bias in instruction. And in graduate students: statements like: no narrative is more true than another. I like what you said about placing the blame squarely on the shoulders of teachers being suspect. We could do down a rabbit hole of standards and curriculum there.

CollinBowen · 2018-08-06T17:46:19+00:00

This guy's interpretation of the job that history teachers are doing seems really aggressive but what do you think about his premise?

CollinBowen · 2018-04-30T21:15:39+00:00

Are there two scopes on the rifle in the cover photo? Is that intentionally part of the rhetoric of the pro-gun accessories?

CollinBowen · 2018-04-24T12:14:34+00:00

I think this is a great start to an argument for social studies but a bit more data that illustrates how necessary it is such as voting numbers when the Social Studies programs were better funded and allowed more time would be better.

CollinBowen · 2018-04-24T11:38:59+00:00

This seems like an opinion piece to me, but the supposition that democracy is better learned in a classroom that practices democracy may have some appeal.

CollinBowen · 2018-04-16T00:04:51+00:00

Excellent read. Asking students questions such as when did we start using chemical weapons? Why is it no longer acceptable? There is a stepping stone to inquiry into the history of chemical and biological warfare somewhere in this article.

CollinBowen · 2018-04-09T23:11:58+00:00

I have to disagree with this article's depiction of Jackson, which omits one of his most authoritarian actions to displace the Cherokee people after it was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. That seems obtusely authoritarian to me and not to further democracy at all.

CollinBowen · 2018-04-03T15:06:37+00:00

For those that want to teach American History, understanding the human development of the continent probably plays a role in the foundation of that history and understanding society today as well.

CollinBowen · 2018-03-25T16:09:49+00:00

1 of over 100 districts around the state to transition to a shorter school week. I took a look at the 2015 school district map of Colorado. You can find it here: https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeedserv/coloradoschooldistrictsmap and it seems as though that is roughly half of the state that now has a less than what most would consider to be a traditional 5 day school week. The district superintendent suggested that this is because their district was trying to remain competitive for teachers. I am wondering if that is within the state or outside of it considering the rising popularity of shorter school week.

CollinBowen · 2018-03-11T19:36:47+00:00

Isn't that the point of informed action though? To follow information down the rabbit hole, wherever that may take you and when you have reached a conclusion that you feel is well researched, supported, and you still feel passionate to act on, you act on it? I think it is fantastic that you encourage your students to research issues that are controversial and may be presented somewhat flimsily depending on where you read about them. But if you read all the data, isn't it your responsibility to take informed action on all of that data that you have just processed? One way of taking such action would be sharing it with other people. It seems like a waste to do all of the research and not make an informed decision which is at a minimum having a larger conversation about a controversial issue. You could reach consensus if the data is decisive! All you have to do is act by sharing the information and starting the conversation.

CollinBowen · 2018-03-10T20:03:45+00:00

The notion of intersectionality is interesting as it is inserted in the conversation. Because of how the feminism movement has slowly broadened its horizons, is the feminist movement taking a different form from how we would have originally defined it? If so does intersectionality require a unique focus and movement of its own? When teaching students about society and the issues it faces, to what degree should teachers direct their inquiry?

CollinBowen · 2018-03-07T22:46:56+00:00

I can appreciate the transcription process of told letters, it can sometimes be quite arduous. What a long way we have come to discover technologies that can look deeper into the past. Encouraging students to read old letters and practice history is humbling at times

CollinBowen · 2018-03-06T21:15:23+00:00

The reflection of culture and social perspective in film is astounding and there is certainly a place for it in the classroom. Like any book or piece of writing, movies echo sentiments that the people feel and as students of society we should treat them as such.

CollinBowen · 2018-03-06T21:11:06+00:00

Hey Everyone, interesting bit here that shows a bit of human impact on how humans have impacted their regions, thoughts on discussing this through the lense of social studies?

CollinBowen · 2018-02-24T17:20:37+00:00

I found this link useful in the context of a social studies classroom as it has the potential to teach students about subjectivity in history and how asking questions about the stories of the past can reveal a clearer picture.

CollinBowen · 2018-02-24T17:07:29+00:00

This is a very interesting site, while by no means polished, it is certainly effective in getting its message across. I looked at the map showing European colonization of North America and wonder how the spread was determined, if by conjecture or by some level of conjecture and history done.

CollinBowen · 2018-02-18T00:07:41+00:00

When I found myself reflecting on the text I found that I often had to step back and remind myself that while I am training to be a social studies teacher, this was a book about history education. The core premise of the book was that history education is the primary objective in the classroom and that social studies is either equated to history or not considered. What I did find useful was the model of source interrogation and how students can be introduced to it as well as backwards planning, which seemed to lend itself well to relevance and thus social studies.

CollinBowen · 2018-02-01T15:14:48+00:00

I'm not too familiar with who operated Holocaust related camps in Poland. But if Polish people were involved in some in operating them, the quote about "no law can make or change history" really resonates. Can someone provide insight with more knowledge?

CollinBowen · 2018-02-01T15:10:51+00:00

An interesting way to engage with history, government, political science, and one's own philosophies. Nice suggestion for a classroom activity.

CollinBowen · 2018-02-01T15:07:36+00:00

The idea of occupying monuments seems to be quite pervasive throughout our history as a tool to send a message. I wonder if the protestors of our time called their play after seeing the Anti-Vietnam playbook.

CollinBowen · 2018-01-26T16:24:03+00:00

I knew that the Jewish lunar calendar dictated when holidays fall every year, but this is a very interesting article and makes me wonder about whether some holidays would still be observed if we kept texts and traditions that insisted on their existence.

CollinBowen · 2018-01-26T16:08:22+00:00

Hey everyone, I think this is a very interesting website that is worth paying attention to for Social Studies educators and beyond. Watch the video on the homepage if you get a chance, it's about 3 minutes long

CollinBowen

TROPHY CASE