When you see the yellow school buses rolling down your street in late August, you know it’s back-to-school time for America’s children. Whether children are public, private, or home-schooled, I wonder what they will learn about America this year. Will the curriculum be laced with political ideology? Or will their books be fact-based? Will there even be a civics book in their backpacks?
Question the Curriculum
Will students learn about critical American landmarks that inspire patriotism? What about lessons in how Congress passes a bill into law? How many children can recite the Pledge of Allegiance and understand the symbolism of our flag? How about a geography book that teaches about the 50 American states, including their natural resources and terrain? Many children find it fascinating that in our country, not everyone lives the way they do. Where we live determines, in many ways, how we live, where we work, and what we do for a living. Who will teach them these fundamentals if we don’t?
Recall the Important Lessons You Learned
As I reflect on my schooling, I recall being fascinated by my textbooks, which sparked my curiosity. I loved being a part of what I perceived to be “the best country on earth.” Learning about states that were so different from mine was a real eye-opener. For example, those states had mountains and coal mines. My perception was that fortunate states are bordered by large bodies of water and have big, sunny, clean beaches. Many states had better weather than mine, but they didn’t have snow and four seasons like I did. I loved learning about American history and government. I much preferred homework in those classes to any math reasoning problems, I can tell you!
It Takes More Than a Good Teacher
There’s more to school than math and reading. There’s a practical aspect in American studies that prepares students for work and inspires them to dream big. If we leave it up solely to Artificial Intelligence or social media to teach them about our country, they may grow up with someone else’s opinion about what is suitable for their lives. Even a school teacher is insufficient to prepare and inspire students if there is not a good textbook, additional primary sources from past generations, and material that allows them to come to their own conclusions.
What We Can Do
Let’s check those backpacks and scan those textbooks. If we don’t see material that piques our students’ interest, let’s supply them with a good book or two that whets their appetite to learn more about our great country. Then, let’s engage the younger generation in conversation, sharing our stories and answering their questions.
How will you inspire a student? What experience could you share with them?
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship.🇺🇸
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