I was taught American Civics in Junior High, 7th Grade. They were serious about it. American History taught at the same time, which made sense. The next year it was World History. They leave so much out of these text books, though. They are scrubbed clean. They are not truth
I wouldn't call myself ignorant, kek! But as a junior high student, I could discern between the teachers who cared about their subjects and those who didn't. I had very few who were trying to actually teach us. Most were just wanting to get through the day and get their pay. I was fortunate to have a few who taught outside the book and made things interesting. You might call them conspiracy theorists today.
A lot of students from the 90’s onward were taught American history by Howard Zinn - a literal communist, who completely made up a significant portion of his book. They used tax money to bribe schools to stock the book.
The one positive of it is that the “What the hell? Did anything happen like I was told?” response the book can trigger can result in a desire to think critically, weigh evidence, and look for sources and justifications of claims, even when dealing with a supposedly “fundamental” source of information.
I had social studies in my later years. I guess I should say I graduated in 85. Social studies was the biggest bore ever. Nobody went into that class with any seriousness. A nap was the best you could garner. Cs across the board.
I hated Social Studies. It was required every year. The books were thick with tiny print. Everything was in black ink with small, black and white photos. Boring.
It was just memorization of dates, treaties, purchases, and wars and I had no interest in any of it. I had no concept of those things yet.
It was the only class I didn't get an 'A' in.
But then in a stroke of luck, a new teacher came to teach 'History' one year and she was young and fun and she made it so interesting, that suddenly, I got it. I got an 'A' that year, too.
Now of course, we all know that history is one of the MOST IMPORTANT subjects you must learn.
I would be happy to see American Civics brought back. Kids have no clue what our rights are, how the govt works, what checks and balances are
Without this; we will just continue to degenerate
We are not a Democracy and many have no clue what a democracy actually is
I was taught American Civics in Junior High, 7th Grade. They were serious about it. American History taught at the same time, which made sense. The next year it was World History. They leave so much out of these text books, though. They are scrubbed clean. They are not truth
By design. Easier to control ignorant people.
I wouldn't call myself ignorant, kek! But as a junior high student, I could discern between the teachers who cared about their subjects and those who didn't. I had very few who were trying to actually teach us. Most were just wanting to get through the day and get their pay. I was fortunate to have a few who taught outside the book and made things interesting. You might call them conspiracy theorists today.
A lot of students from the 90’s onward were taught American history by Howard Zinn - a literal communist, who completely made up a significant portion of his book. They used tax money to bribe schools to stock the book.
The one positive of it is that the “What the hell? Did anything happen like I was told?” response the book can trigger can result in a desire to think critically, weigh evidence, and look for sources and justifications of claims, even when dealing with a supposedly “fundamental” source of information.
Very true!
Amen. I learned state and fed civics and history.
I had social studies in my later years. I guess I should say I graduated in 85. Social studies was the biggest bore ever. Nobody went into that class with any seriousness. A nap was the best you could garner. Cs across the board.
I hated Social Studies. It was required every year. The books were thick with tiny print. Everything was in black ink with small, black and white photos. Boring.
It was just memorization of dates, treaties, purchases, and wars and I had no interest in any of it. I had no concept of those things yet.
It was the only class I didn't get an 'A' in.
But then in a stroke of luck, a new teacher came to teach 'History' one year and she was young and fun and she made it so interesting, that suddenly, I got it. I got an 'A' that year, too.
Now of course, we all know that history is one of the MOST IMPORTANT subjects you must learn.