U.S. History Bell Ringer

We are about to start an endeavor that all of us will devote a significant amount of time and energy towards (we will be meeting together about an hour a day for the next school year!). So to start the class I have two questions for you:

1. What would you like to get out of this class?2. In any group activity there are normally a set of rules (stated or un-

stated) which guide that group’s actions. What guiding class rules or principles do you think would help you reach the goal you selected in #1.

Respond to these questions on a piece of paper

U.S. HISTORY JOURNAL

Please respond in your journal to the following question:

Write down one thing about yourself not many people here would know.

The Following Slides are for Lesson 2:What is History?

U.S. History Bell Ringer

Bell Ringer Introduction:We are about to begin a year long exploration of U.S. History. All

of you have studied history in one form or another since Kindergarten, but have you thought about what history is and how it is studied?

Respond to the following question in your Class Journal:

What is History?

Is what people wear part of the study of history?

Women’s golf team from 1900

Division II National Champions 2010

Are things that aren’t true part of the study of history?

Place a newspaper headline from day of class, focus on date of today.

U.S. HISTORY JOURNAL

Please respond in your journal to the following question:

What is the purpose of studying history?

Examples of history not taught• In Russia events such as the gulags and collectivization

are not included in history books.• Japanese textbooks downplay Japanese aggressions in

WWII and atrocities • The Texas School Board recently voted to – no longer include Thomas Jefferson among the writers

influencing the nation’s intellectual origin.– No longer require “students learn the Constitution prevents

the U.S. government from promoting one religion over all others”

– Eliminate discussion of environmental damage from development

– Replace “Slave Trade” with “Triangular Trade”

“The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.”

National Council of Social Studies

U.S. HISTORY JOURNAL

Please respond in your journal to the following question:

Where does knowledge of history come from?

True or FalseIt is possible to know the truth about the past

There are certain facts about past events everyone can agree on as true

We can never truly know the reasons or motivations for other people actions?

Because I am a unique person with my own experiences and values, it is impossible to make unbiased, objective judgments

Closing Question

Please respond in your journal to the following closing question:

What did you learn about the study of history today? Identify at least two things.

1. Select a school subject besides history.2. Analyze the epistemology of this

subject matter, by taking some notes of your reflections on how knowledge is created in this subject.

A great way to do this is to ask another of your teachers about the epistemology of their subject.

Homework

U.S. History Bell Ringer

1. In your journal submit homework from yesterday:What did you discover in your investigation into

epistemology. Who did you ask? What did you find out?

2. Respond to today’s question in your Class Journal:How is historical knowledge different or similar from

scientific knowledge?

Course Themes1. How do we know?2. Why do we change?3. How do we govern

ourselves?4. What does it mean to be

an American?5. How do we live?

True or False

Historical Knowledge is just as good as scientific knowledge

BibliographySlide 5 and 6- Universal Industrial Gases, Inc. Air: Its Composition and Properties. Retrieved from http://www.uigi.com/air.html Slide 7 - Conservation Magazine(2008). The Heat of Battle. Retrieved from

http://www.conservationmagazine.org/2008/07/the-heat-of-battle/ Slide 8 -- Australian Women’s Archives Project (2007). She’s Game: Women making Australian sporting history. Retrieved from

http://www.womenaustralia.info/exhib/sg/stories.html Slide 9– NSU Sharks Golf Home Page (2010). Nova Southeastern University’s Men’s and Women’s Golf Team. Retrieved from

http://nsusharksgolf.com/ Slide 10 -- History for Kids (2009). George Washington and the Cherry Tree. Retrieved from

http://www.history-for-kids.com/george-washington.html Slide 14 -- National Council for Social Studies, (1994). Expectations of Excellence: Curriculum Standards for Social Studies.

Retrieved from http://www.socialstudies.org/standards/curriculum

Extra slides:Slide ?-- Zimbabwe Telegraph (2009). Iran President Ahmadinejad to open Zimbabwe trade fair. Retrieved from

http://www.zimtelegraph.com/?p=6864 Slide ? – Quote- Reuters (2009). Ahmadinejad says Holocaust a lie, Israel has no future. Retrieved from

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE58H17S20090918

“The Holocaust … is a lie based on an un-provable and mythical claim”

President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad