Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Why are people especially children scared by the idea of studying history?

We hear it all the time....."I don't want to take a history class" or "History scares me".

I even had the same mind set as a child. I avoided history until university when it was a recommended course for my bachelor's degree. I ended up taking the course, loved it and in the process found my real passion. This teacher was able to bring history alive and made it interesting. I can't imagine not studying history and not loving history now, but what would of happenned if I had never taken that first class.

So why are people especially students or kids scared of history?
- some fear all the names and dates
- some fear having to memorize it all
- tedious
- boring
- stupid
- worthless
- when will I ever use it?
- watered down
- too general

So instead, we must bring history alive. It goes beyond a textbook, you must live history.
  • Original sources- primary and secondary sources
  • Pictures, maps, and many other visuals
  • Become immersed in a subject- live and breathe it
  • Find a topic that interests them
  • Look at themes and topics not just general history
  • For example, wouldn't you rather look at religion in history in Canada vs. just Canadian history

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