Our seven year old son is fascinated with the US Presidents. He has researched several presidents on his own, finding out some interesting facts. He asks a lot of questions, recently I was asked "Mommy, why was Bill Clinton impeached?" (I think I'll let daddy handle that one!) My dad was a history teacher, and "Pappy" loves to talk to our son about the presidents.I am not too thrilled with the curriculum at our son's school. It is clear that the Federal No Child Left Behind Act's (NCLB) emphasis on reading and math is squeezing social studies out of the curriculum. Our son has had a few civics lessons, and has done a science unit on rocks, but his day is mostly spent doing reading and math. His homework is reading and math worksheets every night. It has become repetitive busy work. I can see a big change in the classroom since I taught art in the district 10 yrs. ago. The teachers seemed to have more freedom to teach creative lessons, they had more time for drama and art projects. Now it seems like there is a standardized curriculum that all teachers must follow.
I believe that a good social studies curriculum can integrate literacy skills. I have written about how a good arts program integrates reading and math skills too. Teaching "across the curriculum" makes learning more meaningful to students, and increases their motivation to learn, and it connects learning to real life.
Here's why I think Social Studies/History is so important:
1. Boys are usually more interested in non-fiction, and will be motivated to read.
2. Social Studies teaches kids to see from many different perspectives, to better understand diversity.
3. Critical thinking and problem solving skills are encouraged. And kids will need these skills to make it in this "techno" world.
4. Students are engaged in the learning process rather than just completing tasks to improve test scores.
5. Teaches kids to become engaged citizens who understand how our country works. Democracy works best when citizens are able to think freely. That's why they call it a "liberal arts education."
Can you name the president pictured?
(Hint: he is considered one of the worst US Presidents and is the only president from the state of New Hampshire)
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39 comments:
The U.S. President pictured is Franklin Pierce.
Hello Dali!
You are correct!
I bet Gianni Villa knew that ;)
Mrs. Dottie, you always WOW me with the thoughtfulness of the things you choose to write about. You are a first-rate writer and thinker. Keep it coming! I love your blog.
I agree that social studies education is essential. How can we send kids out into a world that they know nothing about?
On this example, I heard some school directors in one of our area districts talking about a survey of current high school seniors. Apparently the majority of kids surveyed believe they will be making upwards of $100,000 a year by age 30. If these students had a little more education on the current economy, job market and world/national events they wouldn't be so set up for heartbreak when they fail to make that salary.
Of course, social studies has other purposes, but I was just reminded of that story.
Thanks Anon 3:12, I think it's important to raise people's awareness of education issues.
"liberal arts education"
Boy that has a nice ring to it (and should be taught in those few remaining Red States :)
I know for a fact that I didn't learn as much history in 12 years of public school as I did in one history course in one semester of college.
In elementary and middle school, history, science and art were what I considered "my thing." But it was some teacher attitudes, combined with different curriculum emphasis, that turned me into an English student. In second grade, I remember Mr. G saying to me "Are you TOTALLY 100% SURE that you want to buy this book (on nesting habits of different species of bird)? You know it's non-fiction, right? It's just a picture book. Well, OK, fine." So I understand that boys may have a slight inclination to that stuff, but don't forget that girls have it, too!!
Franklin Pierce, yes, but do people know where he went to college?
Hint: my alma mater, oh well.
I am proud to say that President-elect Obama (lots better) is an undergraduate of where I went to business school.
Greetings again,
I would like to comment on the power of a liberal arts and science education, but the remarks would be far too long.
As a first-generation college graduate, I cannot tell you how much my undergraduate experience in the liberal arts changed my view of the world.
I am often criticized as one of those "liberal democrats." What I do know is how to suspend judgment and sit in the middle of competing interests and take the time to understand both parties. I will credit my education for developing an appreciation of pragmatism and respect for views that are different than mine, no matter whose they are.
Finally, critical thinking also includes the ability to make a decision. I will credit my undergraduate experience with producing a holistic view of my graduate school experience. That includes know that taking a side might exclude a more creative solution.
Very sincerely,
Michael Donovan
Hi, it's good to know that people care about social studies.
Sarina, those high school seniors are going to be in for a big surprise, unless their parents set them up in the family business or something like that.
Katie Bee, yes I know girls like non-fiction too! My boy has never really shown any interest in stories, and at first I thought he had a comprehension problem at school, but some moms of boys told me to try non-fiction. In Kindergarten and first grade,hardly any non-fiction is offered, but now the school is starting to get more age appropriate non-fiction in the classrooms. I keep pushing for it, because I think it's important to have more choices for boys, and that would motivate them to read. I was really surprised that the teachers had not figured that one out. Could it be that the teachers are paying more attention to the girls?
Hi Michael,
I appreciate your thoughts. I think that there are instances when I have to take a side, because it is the right thing to do. That's not to say that I don't take the time to understand both sides, it's just that I lean left, and that's who I am.
My college experiences changed my world view too, and actually "liberated" my thinking.
Re: "taking a side," or not, and "doing the right thing," sometimes there are very clear sides-- there's a clearly wrong side, and a clearly right side. A clearly injured party. And a party that's clearly doing the injuring, proactively. Thankfully, our U.S. courts do a pretty good job of getting to the injustice, and justice, of a situation. And this makes up for all those self-absorbed and apathetic citizens who couldn't be bothered with picking a side and doing the right thing-- unless, of course, the injustice is perpetrated on them.
Students can learn about our U.S. courts and justice systems in social studies class.
Worth Repeating Department:
99% of local blogosphere dissent against The Morning Call has disappeared since the inception of "Blogger Tuesday at The Morning Call."
"I am often criticized as one of those "liberal democrats."" -Michael Donovan
Oh you'll get used to this, Michael :) I couldn't help but notice at another blog recently that you admitted to having been a Moderate Republican (!) all your life before moving to Allentown.
Welcome! To the oft-criticized world of Liberal Democrats! You've made a change for the better!
....not to be confused with taking a side :)
Hi.
I changed parties in 1993.
Best regards,
Michael
Well, Michael, the important thing is that you're home now :)
and we'll even grant you a pardon for your having voted for George Bush #1 in 1988 and (oh geez) Bob Dole in 1992. Yikes, we're gracious ...
mrs. dottie, do you ever think about returning to teaching? it's obvious you are passionate and knowledgeable and good teachers are worth their weight in gold as paul carpenter always says
"Bob Dole in 1992"
Mr. Dottie, Bob Dole was the Republican candidate for President in 1996, not 1992. '92 was George Herbert Walker Bush.
MC Judas,
Thank you for your kind words.I am currently teaching private art lesson to kids, and I volunteer at my son's school, and I volunteer with the Chen Arts Group, and at this time I don't really have the desire to return to full time teaching in a public school. But I would like to encourage young people to become teachers because it is such an important job where you can really make a difference in kids' lives. And what can possibly be more important than our kids?
Hello Dali!
You are correct, again.
I stand corrected, former Moderate Republican (and Liberal Democrat since 1993) Allentown City Councilor Michael Donovan voted for George Herbert Walker Bush for President: twice.
But that's okay. I voted for Ronald Reagan in 1984 and for Ross Perot in '92. We live and learn.
John McCain voted for Franklin Pierce.
Dear Bill:
You assume way too much, and that is disappointing. I was a moderate republican, but I vote by the person. Would you like to know my presidential voting record since I turned 18? Would you?
McGovern, Carter, Carter, Mondale, Dukakis, Clinton, Clinton, Gore, Kerry, Obama.
Ok...? Just because I am a member of party, does not mean that I vote straight party ticket. Indeed, I was independent for years until 1990 when a friend of mine (a moderate republican) ran for congress. He lost to a right-wing zealot who spliced together radio clips of my friend into a false statement that hurt him in the final days -- a wonderful example of unethical behavior.
I stayed as a moderate and ran for state representative, but my wife had an illness, and I needed to drop out of the race. On my own, I had raised a relatively large amount of money for the campaign, but spent little. None of it came from the party, but they asked me to give it to them. I said no, redistributed back to those who gave me the money, a process that was legal in Maine, and shortly thereafter, left the party.
When another person whom I trusted ran for congress 2 years later, I supported him. He is a democrat.
So, Bill, please do not make assumptions about someone's voting record. You cannot tell a book by its cover.
Thank you,
Michael Donovan
Dear Bill,
I don't get this. I politely make a comment on a blog entry by your wife. You mistakenly assume that I voted a certain way. I provide a correction, and voila! I'm attacked, falsely.
Because again, you state incorrectly my votes. There is always a third side, and as you know (but I will not go into the details here), I have worked to attempt to bring about what you would like to see in the name of justice.
Do you want me to document to your readers the number of times I have either met, emailed, or spoken with Mr. Kranzley on your behalf? I guess not because you say (falsely) that I voted against you and with Mr. Kranzley.
As far as your battle with Mr. O'Hare goes, that is between you and him. You and he both make claims on which I can never pass judgment. How can I? (even though you say I do) They are all cloaked in the name "anonymous." Otherwise, when either of you identify yourself,I merely see two men yelling at each other. I have tried to cool tempers privately (as you know), but that has not worked. But, you choose to tell readers (falsely) that I voted a particular way.
It is your perogative to attack me. However, I know that I have done everything that I possibly can to help you and your memories. My only mistake is that I was not successful in providing assistance. And for that, you choose to attack.
Finally, just because two of my blog entries were published in the Morning Call, you believe that I have somehow "caved." Indeed, it was the first publication that was the catalyst for the war between you and O'Hare. How interesting.
Remember that it was I who noted to the blogging community that I had not been asked and even dedicated a post discussing the issue. It was you who decided that a great crime had occurred.
I think you might have seen the attack on me by the Call in one of their recent editorials. You might have seen less than flattering references to my opinions in stories written by reporters. You know, I do not own the paper. They really can do whatever they want. It's their newspaper. They have heard my concerns, especially pertaining to the online comments by readers. I have also spoken about the problem of censorship on my blog.
But, I guess, that is not enough. Would anything ever be?
Sincerely,
Michael Donovan
ps...if I seem angry it is because you now twice make claims about me that are totally false.
Michael, there should have been a groundswell of local blogger outrage--led by you--against "The Troll Parade" blog.
In fact, if citizens would get off their asses and "peer pressurize" jerks like Bernie O'Hare when they veer so obviously out of line, our courts wouldn't be clogged with bullshit litigation.
Thanks for (doing) nothing.
"if I seem angry it is because you now twice make claims about me that are totally false." M Donovan
Mr. Donovan,
How would you feel if someone created an entire blog with the sole purpose of humiliating you and your family, even your deceased daughter, with false claims and vicious hateful lies? HOW WOULD ANY OF YOU FEEL, and what would you do? Would you be ok with just letting that stand and ignoring it? Well, this is what Bernie O'Hare has done to our family. Try putting yourselves in our shoes. The Troll Parade must be taken down. Ditto Bernie O'Hare O'McCall.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Dottie:
I'll tell you how I would feel. I would ignore it.
That is exactly how I would feel,as someone who has had his share of ridicule.
Remember the adage about sticks and stones....
That is the advice I would give, and I would give it again, again, and again.
I have spoken often about patience, and civility, and politeness. It applies to everyone. Everyone. The trick is that one party might have to take the high road. Who shall that be?
Sincerely,
Michael Donovan
Michael think hard about this ... and try to summon up some outrage ... as if it were happening to you ...
put another way, show us your a liberal democrat
"As far as your battle with Mr. O'Hare goes ... you choose to tell readers (falsely) that I voted a particular way." -Michael Donovan
Michael, by chattily commenting with regularity as you do at the allied accomplice blogs "Lehigh Valley Ramblings," "Molovinsky on Allentown," "Northern Lehigh Valley Logic," and "AJ's Web Blog," your vote of confidence in favor of these individuals--as if they are guilty of nothing--is clearly out there for all to see ... without me telling our readers where you stand on this issue ...
"McGovern, Carter, Carter, Mondale, Dukakis, Clinton, Clinton, Gore, Kerry, Obama." -Donovan
Mondale? Really? in '84 against Reagan? REALLY? As a Moderate Republican? Geez. Just about every Republican AND Democrat voted for Ronald Reagan in 1984. Reagan got 525 electoral votes! Look at the election map for 1984, IT'S ALL RED STATES! The WHOLE COUNTRY was red!
Michael Donovan, Question: if you NEVER VOTED FOR A REPUBLICAN FOR PRESIDENT, as your voting record indicates, why the heck WERE you a Republican (?) and why did it take you so long (until 1993!) to CHANGE PARTIES and BECOME A DEMOCRAT?! Officially. I don't get this.
Here's my presidential voting record (since we're on the topic of social studies) ...
McGovern, Carter, Carter, Reagan, Dukakis, Perot, Clinton, Gore, Kerry, Obama.
The M.O. of O'Hare and his buddies is to taunt and provoke and twist and lie, to the point where victims are forced to defend themselves, and then he accuses the victim of harassment when he/she tries to set the record straight. We are guilty only of the crime of standing up for ourselves.
I have been depicted as a "grant seeking Stepford wife" with a chip in my brain, a phony artist, a bad mother, having my head up my ass, and many more vile things said to me in e-mails and at the Troll Parade blog. It is hard to ignore constant taunting, not just from O'Hare but from other misinformed and hateful bloggers like Scott Armstrong and Mike Molovinsky who cross-polinate the twisted lies of O'Hare at their blogs.
You can look at my record, and my reputation in the community. I am a teacher, a dedicated wife and mother, and a community activist and volunteer.
Bernie O'Hare is a disbarred attorney.
I am doing positive things for Allentown.
And my husband has been gallantly fighting a crony crooked local justice/media system and beating the bastards but good.
Bernie O'Hare is a disgrace. If he continues to be allowed to make up lies about me and my family, how can any intelligent person believe him to have any credibility at all on any subject? He is a cruel and evil man, and he has fooled a lot of people, and that is truly sad for our local blogosphere.
Below here is a sample comment proudly published by Bernie O'Hare O'Mcall at his "Troll Parade" blog, which was created, as Mike Molovinsky dutifully points out, incessantly, because "Villa was spamming and hijacking our blogs!!!"
Got that?
Okay, so here's O'Hare's "solution" ...
----------------
"Anonymous" said...
villa daughter was a mess and he can't come to grips with his awful parenting. his bitterness is a reflection of his disgust with the mess of a daughter he created and now wishes to blame on the rest of the world because he and his wife failed to properly do their jobs. they are two of legions of irresponsible parents who are, sadly, forced to live with their own incompetence. i've had enough of their blaming everybody but themselves. no guts. lots of blame. they are poster nuts for why society is going down the toilet: parents who unleash disaterous consequences on the society. in this case, karma bit them hard and they must look in the mirror someday and properly assess blame on themselves. until then, the pathetic charade continues. i don't particularly like or agree with bernie o'hare. i rip him regularly for his views (and sometimes the tone with which they're expressed). at least bernie has the guts to own his shortcomings, the villas will never and will die bitter failures who were made to pay for their mistakes while living. it's a shitty life, but it's the one they so richly deserve. -September 29, 2008 8:34 PM
Whenever you see this ...
"sadly,"
you know it's Bernie.
He always uses it, even when he's trying to camouflage his writing, "sadly."
It appears in line 7 in the Shameful Sheena Slam above ...
Sadly, I noticed that too, anon 2:08.
I also couldn't help but notice that the "anonymous" and vile Troll Parade comment about my daughter Sheena was originally posted the evening of the "500+ comment spams" at Lehigh Valley Ramblings on 9/29.
Hmm. Now who do we think could have been really accusatory (and, angry) towards me around then?
Reminder: everyone's innocent until proven guilty.
Michael Donovan, Question: if you NEVER VOTED FOR A REPUBLICAN FOR PRESIDENT, as your voting record indicates, why the heck WERE you a Republican (?) and why did it take you so long (until 1993!) to CHANGE PARTIES and BECOME A DEMOCRAT?! Officially. I don't get this.
Allentown Strategy for dealing with "excellent questions that deserve to be answered" ...
RUN!
foo foo said...
John McCain voted for Franklin Pierce.
Sun Nov 23, 11:20:00 AM 2008"
Foo Foo....what a classic!!!
Merci.
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