Directions:
In a comment, respond to the prompt below in 300+ typed words. Also be
sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our
classroom conversation going.
This week, we analyzed three poems related to our current unit of study. One of the poems we read and discussed was "The History Teacher" by Billy Collins. In this poem, Collins suggests that by not teaching children the tough truths of our past, we risk cultivating a generation of people who will not be aware enough to lead us into the future. It has been suggested by some cynics that ours is a "historically ignorant" generation, meaning that we are unaware of our history and our culture. Do you agree or disagree with this sentiment? Why or why not? As an individual, what steps do you take to familiarize yourself with the circumstances of the world around you? Finally, what issues or ideas do you believe all students should be aware of and knowledgeable about? Use the RACE model to respond, and feel free to expand upon ideas we discussed in class while analyzing these poems.
Be
sure to answer all parts of the question fully. Your comment/response
to my prompt should be 300+ words. Your comment/response to a friend
should be 50+ words. Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on January 13, 2013.
Well In my opinion I actually disagree with this sentiment reason why is I believe that every generation should what happens and what doesn't happen so there will not be any confusion in the future. Other reasons why I disagree is children should know what to do and what not to do. If we don't discuss with them what we have done in the past they will go through the same mistakes we have made and that's something parents don't want for their children is to make the exact mistakes. What I do us just know and realize what I doing or am going to do before I make the mistakes. I just use common sense and think to myself would ai suffer From this mistake or will I not suffer and brains beats born everytime. More steps are that I carefully think things out because they might damage me in the end and cause me to suffer badly. All issues and ideas I believe all students should be aware of is being persuaded into doing something you really don't want to do. Another ides is don't let people boss you around I think people are just to weak to take a stand and knock them out of the game they're trying to play. My opinion on all of this is people can't let people do what they want to them just because they may be older or they're bigger. I believe a person is just a person at the end of the day with two arms and two legs that can still get curb stomped in my opinion. As my suggestion everyone should know what to do and what they're not suppose to do. Do that and you'll be fine cause it works for me 100 percent all day every day. I understand that parents may want to keep things a secret but if you just stop being quiet and speak up maybe your children will know what to do and what not to do.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you chris if we don’t learn about our history early then when we get to a later grade we will not know nearly what we need to know for the next grade up. If a teacher does not teach us what we need to know we could fall back in our classes and never work our way back.
DeleteIn the poem by Billy Collins the teacher protects his students from the harsh truth about history. In a way this was wrong of him. Many kids would have been a little sad to hear about these tradegies. Others would be fascinated. Many elders claim ouyr generation is ignorant to history. I am border line with this. I agree because we are all a little ignorant at times we choose not to believe things. Also we simply ignore the fact tha history can easily repeat itself. But also we are creating history and if we continue to make the foolish mistakes our ancestors made we will be just as bad as the dictators and infamous people we learn about. We still are a little rascist. Yet we claim Martin Luther King helped end rascism and unfair treatment to citizens with darker skin tones. But we still mak jokes and rude comments about people being black. Even black people still claim white people hate them. This makes us look even more ignorant because we dont seem to be so invested in this issue anymore like people were in the 50's and 60's.
ReplyDeleteI also disagree with this point or belief. I disagree becaus ewe have over 10 years of education on wars and cruelty thataccured years ago. I am on my second year of learning about the halocaust. I have read almost two books now about peoples experience during this time. We have heard many timesa how unjust hitler was. Its not that we are uneducated on this topic, many just choose to think we cant make a difference. We think what happend years ago we cant change, This is true we cant change history we can only keep it from repeating. I think we are doing a pretty good job. When muslim extremest try to blow up isreal e help and stop this. In coclusion some of this gneration is historically ignorant, but doesnt ever generation have a few ignorant people?
In the poem by Billy Collins the teacher hides stories from histroy from his students. I think this is a bad thing of him because it's good for them to know about our history and all negative and positive things that went on and how ignorant people were. It's also good to know our history so we dont make other negative mistakes like that.There is some negative things that go on today like racism so in every generation i think there is going to be some kind of ignorance. There are also things like crulety and fighting and most of it occurs all because of ignorance. If we told the truth of our history to younger kids they will understand it but some wont but it will take them awhile, and we would have to teach them so they know not to make these mistakes in the future. I think learning halocaust is good because we need to learn somethings that were important and so we pervent them from happening again.Last is i think what a lot of the history teachers teach today, many kids dont believe in or they dont want to believe in because they are scared but teaching them is good so it wont repeat again in the future
ReplyDeleteI think if teachers did not tell us the whole truth in the following years we would be behind. The next year we would be way behind because we learned nothing useful the year before and will hopefully catch up in the following years to come. If a teacher taught us like the history teacher in the poem he could get fired because he was not teaching the kids what they needed to know. If it was me I would be made because I love learning about history this would affect me a lot. I would hate the teacher who told these lies. He would make me understand history differently. If we told the truth of our history to younger kids they will understand it but some wont but it will take them awhile, and we would have to teach them so they know not to make these mistakes in the future. I think learning holocaust is good because we need to learn something’s that were important and so we prevent them from happening again. I believe that every generation should what happens and what doesn't happen so there will not be any confusion in the future. Other reasons why I disagree is children should know what to do and what not to do. If we don't discuss with them what we have done in the past they will go through the same mistakes we have made and that's something parents don't want for their children is to make the exact mistakes. . More steps are that I carefully think things out because they might damage me in the end and cause me to suffer badly. All issues and ideas I believe all students should be aware of is being persuaded into doing something you really don't want to do.
ReplyDeleteCraig I agree with you all the way. When you said that we would be behind you are totally right. We would not be able to catch up because the truth was not told to us in the right amount of time. You were also correct about the holocaust if we were taught the complete and honest truth we would have known better than to do those things.
DeleteCraig, I agree with you. If history is not remembered it is likely to repeat itself. I also like to learn history and I had a teacher like the one in the poem, I would not know the true factos only the teacher's opinion.
Deletei agree with you and jack if history is not remembered IT WILL REPEAT ITS SELF that isn't good so teach the kids about history and I like how you mentioned about not knowing the true just bias of what the teachers thoughts are on the topic. Great job on the writing craig.
DeleteWell in my opinion I agree with that statement. I think that if we were told the complete and honest truth the world would be a better place. We would probably be more aware of what is going on in the world to day and not thinking it is a fake world. I also think that when we are told about some thing in history that is not true we want to believe what we believe. Also in the poem by Billy Collins the teacher decides to sugar coat the stories that were in history. If he would have told the little kids the truth the kids would have been scared but they would the complete and honest truth. As an individual I take many steps to familiarize my self with the circumstances of the world around me. One way is that I research some things that are big in the world to day. Watch the news some times to see what is going on around the world. Also I read the news paper to see what the local news is going about. Like this on time I heard that there was a car crash in Toms River. I looked at the news paper and I read it. It was a two car crash and it was brutal. Luckily there were no deaths but some one was seriously injured. I think that kids should be aware of many different topics in life to day. Like the issue that we need to get more security in schools because of the sandy hook shooting. Also about the take rate and political thing of that sort. Last but certainty not least I think that kids in this century sound learn about the great issues of the natural disasters that are happening right now.
ReplyDeleteOur generation, at some times, can be "historially ignorant". In the poem, The History Teacher, the teacher lied about everything he taught. For example, when America had war with Japan and the "bomb" was dropped, the atom bomb, the teacher said it was not a bomb. Instead the teacher said it was a small molecule. The facts should be stated not opinions. The steps I take to familiarize myself with the world around me, it to take trips to other places to learn. I went to Philadelphia and visted the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross's house, where she made the first American Flag. The US Mint, where the money is minted. I am going to Washington to visit the White House, and museums. I go to NYC constantly and visit all the museums there to learn. I also watch historical movies and read history related books. Finally once in awhile I watch the news. The issues students should be aware of is the current events. Such as, how the new President is raising taxes and giving hard workers and soldiers the cold shoulder. Also, Donald Trump may run consider running for president in the next election and help this country out of the hole it is in.
ReplyDeleteJack i agree with your topic of writing. But my personal opinion is that a little bit more than some kids are "historically ignorant". But great job on the writing i really enjoyed it. I also really liked how you talked about the atomic bombs because some kids dont even know about that well they know but are like familiar with the fact of being tought about it. Like i said man great job writing keep it up.
DeleteThat was a very good response to the topic Floch. I agree with the points you stated 100% I really enjoyed reading your writing because I honestly feel the same way about your topic. I really like how you gave details on your points. Keep up the good work Jack!
DeleteI think that i agree with the "historically ignorant" theory.I agree with this actually quite alot because so many kids are disrespectful to there elders.I know that sounds like two different things but they relate so much.Here is why, because kids could be so much more respectful if they know abou there history. They could be so much more respectful beacuse if they knew about how everything in there family or technology started they wouldnt take so much for granted. Kids dont understand how much they have until they dont have it anymore. If you look around everyone has alll nice technology and kids are constantly on there phones they waste there lives on those things. Also i dont think some kids know who they really are because if they did they wouldnt be so disrespectful. For example in school kids can be so disrespectful to a teacher but in reality they should just shut up the teachers are trying to teach you how to learn and they barley even know you. Just for that fact right there you should be respectful. They really dont have to teach you anything they could sit back and let you fail so there for kids should be way more respecful to there elders and just to the people around them. Here is another example kids dont know other peoples backrounds so why would you go and label them and talk about them if you dont know there life story. Honestly I think if kids did know everyones backround they wouldnt make fun of anyone at all because they know what that other person has to go through or has gone through in there past or in there modern every day life. That is why I agree with the theory of kids being historically ignorant.
ReplyDeleteI feel that it is important that young kids now a days know about past life. It really is a shame how hardly any kids are unaware of our history. Some kids can look at there grandparents and see them as boring people. However if these kids knew about history they could see their grandparents as incredible people. The reason for this is because if they seen the things their grandparents have been through, it's truly amazing. Also, we really don't want to give the kids an image that the world is this amazing place and that they have nothing to worry about. Sadly, that's not true. I feel that kids need to know that the world is not a good place. Knowing that, they'll learn to appreciate the life they have because they are away from all of the danger and safe in their home. Kids today don't realize how good they have it. With all of this technology that they have and probably spend most of their day on, they don't realize how lucky they are and yet complain and want more. If they saw what life was back when only the rich and wealthy had phones, and the phones they had were only used for calling. Then they will begin to realize how good they have it and how lucky they are. It really is a good thing for kids to know about our history. They were very important times and it is important to have some background info on the world we live in. Also, it will give them a much better grade in history because they will know so much about it. That is why I agree on Billy Collin's about the topic that kids today are historically ignorant and how they really should know more about our history.
ReplyDeleteIn the poem “the history teacher” Billy Collins suggests that by not teaching children the tough truths of our past, we risk cultivating a generation of people who will not be aware enough to lead us into the future. I completely agree with him because there is way too much racism in this time and age. If this continues it can only get worse. So we must stop this act of racism. To do so I believe that you should teach the children the cold hard truth of the history that has occurred no matter how it may affect the students they will just have to get over it or get out. Have there parents sign a permission slip saying its going to be a real involved class or something like that. Students these days are completely un aware of what has happened in our history. My personal self says where would we be with if Hitler never died. Or if Martin Luther king never even existed. It makes me relies the world we live in today would be a horrible place. Then again most people are racist because they are to ignorant to learn what actually happened to the blacks and the Jews. Students these days should ne aware of everything that is going on in this world. They are practically adults the way they are, why shouldn’t they be treated like one. They will have to grow up and learn about it some day, or they will just be another ignorant image of our generation today. Well I don’t have much more to say about this topic, but I don’t have three hundred words yet so im going to drag this out until I have three hundred…are you kidding me so close…ok finally now I can end this thing…later
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DeleteHey Kory,I thought that your blog was very well written and I agree with you on many topics including the topic of racism in our generation.I though your blog was very well constructed.I agree our generations should be treated like adults. Good job!!! See you later Kory.
DeleteI agree with that statement, In my opinion we have to do everything we can to make the world better, We all know what's going on but most of us don't care about it. In the poem by Billy Collins the teacher tries to portect the students from the truth about history, i think in some way it was good of him for doing that because he just wanted them to figure for them selfs but maybe not so good because he was hiding from the kids whats really happening out there.I totally agreed because our generetion dont really care about whats happening with the world i guess they will only if something really bad happens, Well it happend already a lot bad stuff & they still dont care, Some of us choose not to pay attention in what's going on and just dont believe in anything. I guess our generatin needs to try to stop so the other ones dont do that same as we are now. In this days racism is one of the thigs that happens the most and so is bullying , And all that happens because of ignoring people that things just because they have better cloths or new boots or a better house they thing they can treat the other ones differently just because they don't.I think little kids needs to be told the truth starting now so they dont do the same thing, many kids dont believe in or they dont want to believe , because they are scared but if we show them wrong they wont repeat again in the future.
ReplyDeleteketlyn I agree with u because i just really agree! enough said
DeleteI agree with the statement that our generation is “historically ignorant.” I don’t think that our generation is not as bright as other generations; I think our generation just doesn’t care as much of an interest in our culture and history. There are more kids in our generation that would rather spend there time with there friends instead of focusing on our culture and history. I believe that you can not teach someone something that they do not want to learn. My generation takes education for granted and are not thankful enough for the opportunity to go to school. Kids do not take the time anymore to recognize and acknowledge our history and culture anymore, which means the kids in our generation can say very disrespectful things without realizing how ignorant there statements are. I do not think there is anything that we can do about it, kids will form there own opinion about certain topics by what they have heard and have grown up on. All our generation can due is try to raise there kids on the right morals so they will not grow up on the same biased opinions our generation grew up on. Kids do not understand how important history and culture are yet, when our generation gets older we will start to form our own opinions. Until the day our generation begins forming there own opinions all we can do is hope they realize how important the history and culture in the world is. I think Billy Collins was correct about our generation in general but, there are a few people in our generation who understand the importance in history and culture and those are the children who were raised on the right morals and were taught the facts about history and cultures and will be successful in the future.
ReplyDeletei agree with your statement and i think that are generation needs to know hoe bad the past was so we dont do it again. You make a good point and i think your writing is very good. It has an important in are history and kids need to start seeing that. I also think billy is correct on letting his kids understand the past. Good job i agree 100%
DeleteIn my opinion i do agree that are generation is histrically igorant. We honestly just dont care about are history and a lot of people aren't even interested. We believe that having fun is more inportant then are culture. But honestly i think we should start to focusing on are history because we do need to be aware of what went on in the past. Even though people dont thin so, but history makes us no what not to say and what not to do now. For example back then blacks and whites werent together back then. We know now that saying black people are gross cause of there color is now wrong. If we didnt know are past most people wouldnt see the wrong in it. I also think that even if the things that happened back then were bad we should still let little kids understand it. Because like i said are actions relie on th past. Therefore i do agree that he did the write thing i think kids should no about these kind of things If not they might not even now them selfs or how far to push an issue. Are history also has a big part in are generation we need to pervent the things that had happened in the past to not happen again in are generation.
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