"It’s Dangerous to Teach History in Schools?" Topic

"Is it dangerous to teach History to school pupils?…"

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Armand

No.

As a history teacher…yes. Nobody wants their kid's math teacher fired. You say one thing they don't like and parents want social studies teachers gone (doesn't matter what the political persuasion of the parents is). Conservative parents went after me (a conservative myself by the way) because a liberal student said conservatives drive trucks. A coworker has historic flags in his room including a WWI German naval flag. A liberal parent claimed it was a Nazi flag and demanded he be fired. Parent couldn't get it through his skull that WWI wasn't WWII and Imperial Germany wasn't Nazi Germany.

No, I taught school in a 98% minority high school. Never a problem. I made sure the term assignment was diverse to meet all study needs. Maps, timelines, reports, collage posters. I also taught current events and comparative religion in a rural Baptist dominated area

Yes. If you don't teach the right history in the right way, students might have their own ideas and thoughts. Can't be having any of that nonsense, now can we?

If schools could stick to teaching history and not revisionist history, CRT, or whatever history is politically correct we would be fine.

History should be facts: "1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue."

First of all ALL history is revisionist history. If it wasn't, we'd still hang onto the belief that knights had to be hoisted onto their horses. That's an example of "revisionist history."

Second, if your objective in teaching history, ESPECIALLY at a high school level, is just the facts and only the facts (such as they are), then I can't think of a better way to alienate & bore students. There are a number of reasons why people are sadly oblivious to history, but one of those is that there is zero connection with the history & their lives, if all you do is teach them to regurgitate facts or dates.

Finally CRT is a very narrow subject taught at a university level, not for high school students, despite what propaganda there is out there to terrify you of the world. Maybe the problem is teaching so-called "woke" history; what a shame that we should teach history that is non-white, non Western, non-male oriented…

Damon.

I read about the Sand Creek Massacre back in 5th grade. I learned that mistakes were made, the behavior of the militia was not appropriate, but we had learned from that and would try not to repeat it.

I did not learn that it didn't really happen, that our ancestors were perfect, or it was a Good Thing to massacre people who had tried to surrender.

Grelber

Only if YOU are the teacher.

Thanks!

Armand

I had a German WWI Naval flag in my assigned dorm while I was in the Navy (in Naval Intelligence, no less) and got hauled in to explain it. They all did a face palm when they realized it was indeed not a WWII Nazi Flag, and I face palmed when I realized people in Naval Intelligence didn't recognize a WWI Imperial Naval Ensign.

because a liberal student said conservatives drive trucks

Is the US really so politically divided, and are politics so pervasive, that even school kids are labelled as "conservative" or "liberal"?

Rather than "teaching" history, why not have the students do their research using original text, photographs, and pictures? Then have them discuss what they discovered so they can come to their own conclusion. Isn't that what critical thinking is all about?

Wolfhag

even school kids are labelled as "conservative" or "liberal"?

The OP mentioned trucks so you are talking about students who can drive: grade 10+. These students are also likely to have formed their political identity and may self identify one way or the other.

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Some people the current cultural degradation as undesirable.

My last position at the college was teaching Adult Education which included everything from nursing to truck driving and welding. I taught basic English and math among others.
Yes America is that politically divided. People are rabid about sports. Avoiding people who support different teams or schools such as here it is often Alabama versus Auburn with both hating Georgia? Lol. So hating the different political party is easy to do.

Yes it is that divided. The students frequently self identify and argue with each other. My students are all 16+. I've given up on holding debates or even attempts at civil discussions. Too much of a headache.

Thanks for the replies. It's been nearly 30 years since I visited the US (Atlanta) and I don't remember it being like that- apart from one individual in the company that was doing our training.

Cheers.

Thanks also…

Armand

In my career teaching history – amongst other subjects – in the UK there were two dangerous incidents:

1. A French boy got his finger stuck in the open end of a steel tube framed chair in the National Army Museum while attending a session on Life in The Trenches in WWI. Luckily the museum staff produced an ice-cold can of Coke from their refrigerator and by applying it to his hand succeeded in reducing the swelling so he did not have to be taken to hospital to have the chair removed.

When I took another group the following year, all the steel tube chairs had vanished, replaced by ones into which children could not stick their fingers.

2. In my first job I had had a great lesson with a group of teenage girls explaining the working of my 1857 pattern Enfield rifle musket, but then made the mistake of accepting a rather excitable pupil's offer to carry it back to the staffroom for me, with the bayonet fixed. The moment we were in the corridor, she screamed 'Charge!' and ran forward – just as the headmaster appeared round the corner, escorting two prospective parents…

Luckily, the girl managed to slow down and not bayonet them, but I don't think they ever sent their child to the school.

The headmaster (an ex Indian Army officer) took it all very calmly, saying, 'As you can see, Mr H takes a very hands-on approach to teaching history.' and carried on with the tour!

🤔 was she a history teacher?

Subject: Teacher kept her cool after assault by student


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I found the responses very interesting and somewhat laughable. I know he would have been handled differently in my school days. How times change, and not always for the better.

I think the above article tries to get you to sign up. Try this one

Subject: North Carolina high schooler charged with 3 misdemeanors after repeatedly slapping teacher


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The reason it is dangerous to teach history is because it is so important. If it wasn't, it wouldn't be dangerous.

No one has suggested it's dangerous to teach typing or music, or even math.

History is our collective memory, which is why so many try and manipulate it.

It also happens that history often rubs up against the politics applied in each era and that unfortunately is carried over to our days…

Armand

They still teach typing?

It's dangerous to teach anything anywhere. It has gotten to the point that teachers are being encourage to bring firearms to school.

Glup!…

Armand