In 9^th grade Social Studies, I remember asking Mr. Pinhead (a derogatory, somewhat deserved nickname for our teacher), “Why do we have to learn this history stuff?”   Sweating from the brow and out of breath, he repetitiously expounded on ancient wars and political strategies.  His unsatisfactory explanation, “You need to learn this to pass my class,” was not only patronizing, but it deadened my interest in history for the balance of my school years.

Teachers, I beg you never use such pat clichés with your students, no matter how tempting!  Although Mr. Pinhead may have uttered a partially true statement, I never learned to like history because I never truly understood any basis for learning about it.

Now, as an adult teaching history, I’ve discovered some excellent reasons to study history at any age.  History is more about people than dates; more about decisions based on moral and philosophical principles than about maps and ever-changing boundary lines.  If my 9^th grade teacher simply stated we learn from the virtues and vices of those who came before us….or we learn from the right and wrong choices of statesmen from other times, I’d have listened attentively.

In Adler’s How to Read a Book, he dedicates a chapter to “How to Read History”.  Now that I appreciate reading history, his advice about reading history critically piqued my interest.  The following are a few points he made, validating my own experiences teaching history.

1. History books are often closer to fiction than science.

2. Historians are forced to assign causes for events and motivations for actions.

3. Historians’ personal theories and biases affect their account of events.

4. It is necessary to read more than one account of the history of an event or period if we want to understand it.

5. We should read the historical accounts of ancient authors not because they perfectly describe what happened, but because of the influences on the subsequent history of man. 

6. Authors of history books may write purposely for men of the future, hoping they do not repeat the mistakes of the past. 

7. Some historians may make critical errors in “checking their sources”.  Examples include misunderstanding sources, misusing sources or confusing the facts of the matter.

8. Authorized biographies are more likely to be biased than definitive biographies.

9. Autobiographies should never be considered as a primary source because of the extreme subjective nature and motives of the author.

10. History books can teach us the way men act in all times and places.

Get your students excited about history.  Noble men of the past teach us about the present through well written history books.  Seek to identify any biases an author presents through reading multiple sources. Validate the words and actions of people from the past through primary sources whenever possible.  Knowing honorable people more intimately uncovers our own noble desires to make a difference in our own time.  That’s the real reason to learn history!

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Posted by Mamma1420

Yippeeee! Isn't that amazing Maureen? We love you! (pssst...don't forget to post your notes to the partnership)

I did the free homeschool resources today, here's the post
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mamma1420/165656/

I had to do more than 10.
Jessica

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Posted by jaminacema

I once heard a homeschool Mom say the reason to learn history is so you can understand jokes! LOL Great post!

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Posted by cyndiegirl72

Please check my blog and pray for Abraham Chemix.

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Posted by Anonymous

I am a former homeshooling parent (our children are grown). We have an international social studies project for the next academic year that will bring social studies principles to life; our goal is to have homeschool students from all 50 states+ participating. I have been reading through what you have to say, and hope you will participate. Please get to know us - this is a family project based on the work of my husband, Dr. Dean Shankle, who is a Fulbright scholar to the Eastern European country of Moldova. Meet us at www.aretao.com; our project pdf is at etraining.aretao.com. If you have any questions, please call us at 603.533.8642. Feel free to pass this on. We hope you can join us! Thanks, Jean Locicero Shankle

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