How important is teaching history to our children? How does it rank with other

1. 64

   hecate-horusposted 12 years ago

   How important is teaching history to our children?  How does it rank with other school subjects?
   
   I.E. is it the most important, least important, somewhere between math and english, etc?

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2. 60

   luseposted 12 years ago

   In my opinion, my knowledge of history (that which I learned at school) has served me most when speaking with people in general. As a journalist, the history I was taught at school has served me better than, say, mathematics. But I guess that would be different for different people.
   
   History is very important. Not only as knowledge, but as conversation starters!

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3. 68

   enevaposted 12 years ago

   Real history and geography, course sometimes people don't even know where those countires are and what kind of people live or lived in the world.
   When you learn history it's easy to understand our present time
   It's an important subject among the others.

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4. 92

   GoodLadyposted 12 years ago

   I'd say it should be one of the top subjects, like reading, writing, arithmetic, then who you are and where you are from (history) and who everyone else is and where they are from...and why!  This is History.  It is our story.  It's vitally important.
   Maybe history and geography are the same subject too.
   Nice Q.

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5. 60

   Civil War Bobposted 12 years ago

   Math and English would be tied for top, since you have to communicate lucidly and manage figures to illustrate the importance of history, as well as using statistics to show historical realities.  History is crucial, as the adage goes, to prevent repetition of the same mistakes our predecessors made; although, that seems to be endemic to the human condition if people are willing to willfully suspend their disbelief when listening to politicians.  Let's go for a green salad and tea in the cafeteria!!

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6. 64

   hecate-horusposted 12 years ago

   Civil War Bob: Chai or Earl Grey?  Oh, I thought of another question!

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7. 60

   T. R. Brownposted 12 years ago

   It is among the most important subjects.  We all share a collective history (good and bad) that made us who we are today.  The further we are removed from our shared heritage, the more separate we become.

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8. 85

   LauraGTposted 12 years ago

   I think history is among the most important subjects. People need to understand how we got where we are, and need to know about the horrible times in history so that (not be cliched) we do not repeat ourselves.

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9. 60

   Erlz12posted 12 years ago

   History is definitely important. I would still put math and english ahead, but history is definitely up there. The problem is, history is taught in a boring way, through the mere memorization of dates. Studying history is like reading a story; it should be more exciting. Instead of just focusing on the facts, I think history should be taught in such a way that it would resemble your favorite novel.

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10. 93

    Sherry Hewinsposted 12 years ago

    How useful or accurate is the history we learned in school? Why should we study history? read more

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11. 0

    iamaudraleighposted 12 years ago

    History teaches us everything!
    The constitution makes us who we are today
    We learn from it's tragedy
    We advance from what people started before us

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12. 58

    networmedposted 12 years ago

    For me, it depends. Teaching history without emphasizing the value of it is nothing. But if you teach history with sincerity and emphasize how history shaped our world or country today, that would be a good way for children to be encourage to do what they love.
    
    I'm not a teacher, but when I was in grade school, I can recall that most of the teachers were just reading what the book says. Without giving deeper insights how it history relates to our current situation, in terms of political and financial matters.

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13. 60

    plaid pagesposted 12 years ago

    As an English or math teacher for the past 19 years, I weigh heavily on the "not as important" side.  However, there isn't ANY topic that I teach that isn't more interesting for students.  They read the historical accounts of past US wars like they are fiction.  They get "into" the characters. 
    
    It's a win-win if you can incorporate history topics into the other subjects.
    
    Do I think it's relevant to recite the Preamble?  No.
    Do I think it's necessary to know every date?  No.
    Do I think SOME history teachers kill the content?  Yep.
    
    I think it's important to tell the stories, good and bad.

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14. 86

    SidKempposted 11 years ago

    I would say it is very important, especially as a way of thinking. Understanding complex causality, interdependence, and how to think through solutions to large problems is essential in today's world. A deep understanding of history, as choices within constraints and their consequences, is essential to solving problems in our lives - individually and socially - and to understanding and respecting ourselves and others. I cannot say it is more or less important that math or English, and science, plus an art and a sport - all are essential.

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