I went to the Statue of Liberty two summers ago. While in line waiting for the boat, I spoke to a woman who told me she was an American History teacher. Nice enough person, but when I asked her about 20th Century events (Korean War, WW1 and selected others), she gave me a blank stare. She then said her school limits teachings from the last 100 years or so. I asked about WW2 and she told me “we balance the attack of Pearl Harbor with the bombings in Japan” and when I asked about the current War on Terror, she said “Oh, no! There’s enough of that on the news.”
I dawned on me only recently that even in a private school, my kid is getting zero education in history. ‘Social studies’ handles that now.
That leaves teaching history to me.
:-)
Sad, isn’t it? This is why I’m trying to teach my Niece and Nephew real History when they come to visit me. At least they are greatful for this, and the best part is that I can bring it to “life” with my models, DVD’s and own books. Very visual learners.