The eighth graders who took these tests last year are finishing ninth grade in the coming weeks. We have a lot of ground and just three years to make up before they graduate, head to college or the workforce, and are asked to fully participate in civic life.
Students read a lot in my class and even practice their math skills, for example when we analyze polling and look at percentages in our elections unit. But this isn't just about boosting student achievement in tested subjects. There is magic that happens in a strong social studies classroom, a magic that kids badly need to experience now. With a growing awareness about problems related to chronic absenteeism and concerns around a lack of student engagement, education leaders and policymakers need to bring joy and a purpose to learning to schools. When taught well, history and civics are subjects that foster excitement and inspiration while honing essential life skills.
My teachers conveyed history with passion and insight
When I was a kid, growing up in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, I studied world history with a teacher who still inspires me today. Mr. Pickle drew us into lively debates, for example asking us to put ourselves in Harry Truman's shoes and weigh his decision to use the atomic bomb. This debate was relevant given my hometown’s role as a key Manhattan Project site, and by tackling a challenging topic, Mr. Pickle helped students exercise the “civic muscles” of discourse and debate.
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