When I use to volunteer in my son's 2nd class room, I would discuss the weekly "Time For Kids", published by Time Magazine. In Feb., before I handed out the weekly magazine that had Abraham Lincoln's picture on the front, I asked the kids:
ME: "In Feb., two great men were born and we celebrate their birthdays. Do you know who their names?"
KIDS: "Martin Luther King?"
ME: "No, we celebrate his birthday in Jan. not Feb."
KIDS: "Rosa Parks?"
ME: "No, she is a woman and I said man."
KIDS: ......Silence........ and more ....silence
ME: "Have you ever heard of Abraham Lincoln or George Washington"
(98% of our kids pass the MEAP test--some of the smartest kids around)
ONE CHILD: "I think I may have heard of them before but I am not sure."--
AND THAT WAS IT--ONE CHILD OUT OF 24
ME: " I think they are missing teaching you something here and let's discuss these great men"
I am glad our children learn about Mr. King and Rosa Parks, but it is a little overboard. We do need a Martin Luther King celebration every year. Teachers, Washington and Lincoln were more instrumental in ours and Dr. King's success. Where would we be without them?
13 comments:
Amen Pink Preppy Party Girl! By nature I'm a historian- how else can one possibly seek to finish the NYT Sunday Crossword. I applaud all history but am fearful that some bits are overlooked in every generation due to shorter term 'goals'. This isn't just limited to our kiddos. There's a lot about 'history' that we didn't incorporate into school lessons until further on.
Horray for you and all the Mommies who will stand up and say "But what about???"
Good for you! You are exactly right!!
Wonderful having parents like you to actually go into the classroom. So proud of you!
They didn't know Washington and Lincoln? Wow--that is scary!!!
WOW, things have certainly changed! I remember learning SO MUCH about them throughout all of Feb. when I was a kid! And Rosa Parks as a man - that's hilarious, kids are great.
You nailed this right on the head!
This is scary...you go girl!...Ugh!
amen amen amen! It is wonderful and necessary to learn about ALL people of influence in America. Since when do children only learn about a few? Really liked this post.:)
AMEN!
Wow! I can't believe they didn't know Lincoln and Washington... I was in elementary school not to long ago and I remember studying all the Presidents (anyone else learn the in-order song?)The schools definitely need to teach all presidents, but some of it is on the parents and making sure they teach their children about all types of history.
And this is why I homeschool...(and I'm a teacher!) This frustrates me beyond belief!
Here in AZ, we have no school for MLK Day, but everyone was in school on Monday for Pres. Day! UGH! (not us, of course!)
Love your blog!
Now that is SAD.
Wow, that is insane! We need to remember Abraham! He needs his day too!
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