THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO DO THIS.....

Yea!  For some of you, your summer break has started.

But for others, this is might be the last week of school.  And, sometimes this last week of school teachers are in this state of limbo with a few more days before the break.  What to do with finals completed, books checked in, but many of our students have checked out....

I LOVE this time of the school year.  For, this is the time I can indulge myself and my students and go a little deeper into a historical subject that we did not have time for during the year.

One way I do this is showing a historically based movie.  Why?  Because kids LOVE movies, and I LOVE history.

So here are a few of my favorite movies I have shown to my students at the end of the school year.

1) 42 - This is the best movie to grab my students attention. It has it all; sports, history, and a very compelling true story.  42 is about Jackie Robinson signing on with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization in 1945 to his historic 1947 rookie season and how he struggled against racism all the while breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball.  
 

2) The Bridge of Spies - WOW, what a great historical thriller!  This takes place during the Cold War and is based on the 1960 U-2 incident during the Cold War the film tells the story of lawyer James B. Donovan, who is entrusted with negotiating the release of Francis Gary Powers.  But students will also learn more about the Berlin Wall, life in the East, and details of the American U-2 spy plane incident that was shot down over the Soviet Union.
 
 3) The Cinderella Man - A great movie for students to learn how daily life was for the average American during the Great Depression.  But, this movie is centered upon an average guy who has a chance to fight back.  This movie is very engaging since it's another great historical story that includes boxing and history.
 

4) Flags of Our Fathers - I had to include at least one war movie.  But, this is not your typical American war movie.  It tells a story of how history is open to interpretation.  How eyewitnesses see events differently, how others view historical events and what those events mean to them. The movie is centered around the 1945 Battle of Iwo Jima, the five Marines and one Navy Corpsman who were involved in raising the flag on Iwo Jima, and the aftereffects of that event on their lives. A powerful movie for the end of they year.


5) Miracle - Okay, another sports/history movie.  But, why not?  These stories are engaging. This is about the 1980 American men's hockey team defeating the Soviet Union, and later winning the gold medal.  All though the historical aspects are down played in the movie, the Cold War revival is there - and the other events weave their way into the story such as the American boycott of the 1980 summer Olympic games.
 

Then, to top it off, I have movie guides to go with all these movies.  Please feel free to check them out here.  Don't forget to click on the HISTORICAL MOVIE GUIDES tab in the upper left...

Also, if you are looking for the best Social Studies resources on the Internet, take a few minutes to check out the entire Social Studies SUPER store.

CHRISTMAS CLASSROOM BLUES? THIS MIGHT HELP....

As a long time classroom teacher, I know this time of the year is very difficult.  Student are crazed with the snow falling (for those of us in the north), and their minds have already shifted into winter break mode...

So, here is an engaging activity that is fitting for the time of the year: The 1914 Christmas Day truce.

 Just think; in the middle of heated a war, two enemies emerged from their trenches to exchange Christmas wishes, treats, and play soccer.  That's what happened on Christmas Day, 1914. 

An incredibly story that grabs students attentions and opens the way for timely discussion about current conflicts in the world.

This timely assignment always grabs the students' attention - the 1914 Christmas Truce from World War One.

This includes a short reading assignment, text dependent questions, and extended internet activities.

You can purchase this lesson right now from my TpT store by clicking on the following link: 1914 Christmas Truce.

A Call to Arms: Protect History Classes In Our Schools

A Call To Arms: Protect History Classes In Our Schools:

In 2012 Marine Corps scout snipers were seen in a photo standing around a logo identical to the one used by an elite Nazi military unit.  The Marines were the Charlie Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion from Camp Pendleton, California.  This Battalion was deployed in Afghanistan when a photo emerged showing the Marines standing in front a blue flag with two large “SS” emblazoned upon it, and an American flag above it.  The shape of the Marines' “SS” was identical to the infamous Nazi Schutzstaffel.

 

History teaches us the Nazi SS assumed a leading responsibility for security, identification of ethnicity, and control of the concentration camp system.  In short the SS played a key role in the deaths of six million jews and another five million “undesirables” during the Holocaust.

Not only did the SS play an important role in the concentration camps, but members of this unit were very carefully chosen.  SS candidates were required to complete a rigorous selection process where their “racial” ancestry was carefully traced.  Once chosen, an SS soldier was deemed the best German because of their racial heritage.  Also, members of the SS swore an undying loyalty towards Adolf Hitler.

Again, history teaches us how the SS committed other dastardly war crimes during World War II.  Such as impersonating American soldiers during the Battle of Bulge.  During this battle, the SS not only wore American uniforms, but spoke near perfect English, drove confiscated American jeeps, and redirected badly needed supplies and support troops to bogus destinations.  Then after the SS captured Americans soldiers they killed them.  This is what history teaches us about the SS.  The SS were not heroes, but cold blooded, cowardly thugs who killed old women and babies in concentration camps.  Then, breaking the soldiers creed and military codes they killed American POWs in cold blood.  This is what the “SS” truly represents.

Do Marines today really want to compare themselves murderous cowards?  I don’t think so…

In fact a Marine official stated that “We don’t believe these Marine Corps snipers had a historical appreciation for what this symbol meant.”  I agree.  I know many current and former United States Marines, some of my former students are currently serving in the Corps.  I have never questioned their loyalty.  But how did this happen?  Might this be the result of schools across the nation butchering history classes and graduation requirements to almost zero?  I say yes.  Clearly these young Americans did not remember or know their history when the identical “SS” appeared on a blue flag they posed for in their picture.

Secondly, this is not only a blaring example where the lack of historical understanding has proven itself.  But also, history allows us to learn and appreciate from past mistakes and successes others have made.  What worked, and what did not work.  History is what strings our customs and traditions together a nation.  History can, and often does serve as a guide.  After all, if you don’t know where you have been, how do you know where you are going?  

But as a history teacher I am deathly concern for my future Americans.  Will the next generation remember the causes of World War I, or the how our government was sucked into the quagmire known as the Vietnam War?  Will future politicians forget these important lessons because school districts across the nation continue the assault on history?  I do believe this will be true.  

The “SS” flag incident should serve as a warning and urge us to a call to arms.  What will you do to save history in your local school? Will you contact your local school board members tell them the important history plays in the future of America?  Write letters to the editor.  Talk to your neighbors. Let your state leaders know about stories like this can serve as an example of why history is important.

A Justification For More History in American Schools

A Justification For More History in American Schools

The small high school where I teach cut one year of American History from the district curriculum to make way for another math class.  Before the change students were required to successfully pass two years of American History.   American History A was completed by students in their sophomore year, and American History B was completed by students in their junior year.

Before the change it was perfect in so many ways.  With two years for American history, I had time to explore and teach in-depth of those important American documents such as the Declaration of Independence, and teach all the way to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.  I had two weeks to teach World War II, with time remaining for teaching the roots of the Vietnam War.  I had time for field trips to area museums and interview local veterans about their time in the service and historic conflicts.  Then, we had time to complete a research paper for the end of the semester, which students then presented to their peers. 

But with the short presentation by the superintendent and a quick vote by the school board, this changed.

Now, I have only one year to cover the same information.  So students do not have field trips, the veteran interviews have been deleted, and no term papers (yes, this broke my students’ hearts).  Now, the opportunity to deeply and richly explore issues and concepts are gone since students’ time has been hacked in half.

When I spoke with the powers that be, it was explained to me how important it was for our students take more math classes.  This, it was hoped, would raise our math scores. Yes, I agree, math is important, but isn’t history also important? 

I was told the school district had to raise the achievement levels in the area of math, and one possible solution to my dilemma might be for me to be more selective in what I teach in history.  In other words, skip entire subjects and teach only the most important subjects or concepts of American History.  This is easier said than done as History, and many other social studies classes have a unique situation; the curriculum continues to grow.

Here’s what I mean.  I started teaching in 1998.  Just think about all that has changed since 1998.  Bill Clinton was President, George Bush was just making sounds about running for president, the idea of having American troops in the Iraq and Afghanistan would sound crazy in 1998, the government was running a surplus in revenue, cell phones were just that, phones without cameras and other computing devices, people still bought their music at stores on CDs, and I kept my grades in a book, not on the computer.  In short, so much has changed in government, civics, society, and history.  But every year more is added to my subject of history.  So, what kind of education might my students receive if I stopped in the year 1998?

So if I had to skip some subject, then I would have to pick.  But there will be some losers and some winners.  And what is important for one year, might be kicked out since something more current and pressing emerges.  For example, during the late 90s, the balance budget amendment was huge news.  The amendment nearly passed the Senate and failed by one vote.  The one senator who did not support it was Senator Hatfield from Oregon – A Republican.  Today, who remember this?  Would this win out compared to the issue of homeland security today?  Also, what I believe is important, another history teacher may not deem as important.  Even with standards, there will be many holes.

Although I am not a math and English teacher, I do not see much changing in these curriculums every four or eights years.  Math intergrades are not voted out of office and the negative number take over.  And students do not need to understand the ramifications of the negative numbers upon the government.  These subjects do not grow exponentially as it does in History or other social studies area.

In short, social studies is unique for many reasons.  But one specific area that it is different is how it changes and more is added to the curriculum every year.  And, to pick and choose will create “holes” in students’ knowledge in the subject.   This is why more time is need in American schools for History and other social studies subject.