Comments on: History

By: Margaret Donsbach

Margaret Donsbach — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 17:19:14 +0000

What a wonderful idea. Teachers really do have the opportunity to change people's lives, and in that way, change the world. Amazing Grace was a wonderful movie, and an example of how historical fiction can inspire and move us by bringing the sometimes dry bones of history to life. If you'd like to use historical fiction as one teaching tool, you might be interested in exploring the Historical Novels website I've been developing at www.HistoricalNovels.info.

By: trudyj65

trudyj65 — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:10:12 +0000

Thanks for the great comments and suggestions, everyone. If anyone else has any suggestions to add, I am all up for it!

By: Sherry

Sherry — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:07:25 +0000

It doesn’t sound madly idealistic at all. Bully for you for reaching beyond the violence of war. I give two thumbs way up on including material on the suffrage of women, and the re-defined role of women in the 21st century.

By: YourDad

YourDad — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:44:28 +0000

I grew up during the WWII — almost 3 when it started, almost 9 when it ended. At the end of hostilities my major concern was that this would end the production of newspapers, and thus my source of entertainment — King of the Royal Mounted; Terry and the Pirates: et al.
I have come to realize that the advances in the printed word, from movable type through to the invention of the linotype, and now vast resources for spreading information through computers have, along with spreading news of disasters, also opened up a world of information, readily available through the old technology of books (that’s the former publisher talking), newspapers and magazines, and blogs such as yours. These have been the most effective means of telling all sides of the story. Your job, as a teacher, is to help students to separate sound information from propaganda. Keep up the good work.

By: FLG

FLG — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 04:19:10 +0000

It probably wouldn’t be relevant, but I loved learning about New Zealand history when I took this history course at uni. The story of Parihaka might be a good one for non-violence.

By: greenchickadee

greenchickadee — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:58:47 +0000

And I would so LOVE to take that course from you. I love history and I wish there were more excellent history teachers in the world because it’s such an important part of our lives!

By: greenchickadee

greenchickadee — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:57:57 +0000

Marie Curie and the invention of the X-ray through radiation, which morphed into eventually the Hydrogen bomb, in which the scientists who developed the technology were deeply wary of using the technology for weapons, but saw the good that could come out of it. So many of them have since made statements about wishing they had not developed the technology because governments misused it in such horrific ways. Not a cheerful unit, but one in which they could learn that almost everything we do has a positive and negative consequence.

By: trudyj65

trudyj65 — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:09:40 +0000

Oh that’s a great idea, Jamie … thanks!

By: Jamie

Jamie — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:44:25 +0000

“If all we ever teach young people is about humanity’s attempts to solve its problems through violence, what will they ever learn about solving problems any other way?”

“Perhaps this final act was meant to clinch a lifetime’s argument that nothing comes from violence…and nothing ever could..”

As far as other things to teach, how about some of the stories from “The Forgiveness Project”. Many of the stories are from South Africa, and have to do with justice that involves forgiveness and a restoration of sorts. Some of the stories made me cry.

Jamie.