American Independence and the full story of our formation as a distinct, unique people and culture is actually riveting. Every year, as teachers gear up to retell it to new classes, it inspires anew. Absolutely, it’s got its controversies, and opening the door for students’ understanding and participation in the story is a rewarding challenge. (Sure, save yourself a ton of grief and ask ChatGPT to create a history or civics lesson based on the Idaho state standard you choose. And then the students could ask ChatGPT to complete the lesson you just gave them. Call it good. Roll the credits!!)
However, if you’re ready to dive in on this thought exercise, start by asking…. what’s the point of teaching American history and civics to kids? Fifth grade is the year students begin to learn America’s story, as well as their rights and responsibilities within it, as individual citizens and future voters. Upper grade civics standards don’t change, they just accumulate, deepen, and become more tangible.
Older students are asked to learn the causes and effects of the Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights, the Constitution, judicial review and checks and balances on power within our political system. They’ll learn to compare America’s democratic republic against authoritarian governments. We ask them to take it to heart how they each contribute, and how they would like to shape America for our future. Our Idaho state standards push students to grapple with the fundamental and somewhat unresolvable tensions that Americans have faced throughout our history, and still face today.
When students learn about the people and events in history that have led up to today’s world, they gain an understanding of how the people and events of today lead to the future. And they always arrive at tough, important questions of their own. It’s exciting, inspiring, empowering–and it opens cans of worms. Once, while I was co-teaching a US History 9 class a while back, a student who was new to the US asked simply, “Why were black people slaves?” It’s humbling to attempt to facilitate an age-appropriate discussion that honors historical accuracy, as well as the strengths and weaknesses in human nature and culture, and above all, the input and curiosity of each student. The why-it-happened is as much a part of the story to wonder about as the what-happened.
Teachers and students can’t shy away from the ugly chapters in which the phrase all men are created equal only partly meant what it said. We shouldn’t pretend that historical inequity no longer has any impact on us. We do no favors for our students or country if we put on blinders and muzzles and ignore the hard parts of the American story.
When they study the biographies of historical figures like George Washington, Harriet Tubman, and MLK Jr, students reflect on their own experiences and character. They learn that every single one of America’s historical figures, like every human who ever existed, is flawed and has challenges to overcome. No person or historical period is perfect or easy. The important lesson is that our flaws and challenges make us human, and our achievements are greater because of them.
What’s the point of teaching American history and civics to kids? If we deny their opportunity to wonder about the connections between suffering, adversity, disparity, morality, and greatness, they form a passive acceptance that some people just end up with power and some places just are the way they are. Don’t we want our kids to understand that they can set noble goals and then have the strength and discipline to commit to a difficult journey on the way to achieving them? Great Americans face challenges with drive, dignity and optimism.
History keeps score. We know the quotes about winners and losers and who gets to tell the story in the end. Students wonder about this, too. American history is special. It’s not like a chess game with pawns and other more-or-less disposable pieces shielding a king. Pride in our American spirit grows when we learn stories about those who’ve struggled and sacrificed to bring us all closer to a country where we try to prove all men are created equal.
