Rather than just lecture to your class, tell them a story; a fascinating story to keep them involved, drawn in, and experienced. A true story of some famous or accomplished person from the past whose life and times are easy to relate to. The reading of a well written biography can bring history to life. It can be instructive in other subjects such as sociology, politics, relationships, and human cultures. More importantly, it can stimulate the student to think about his/her own life plan, and to be better prepared for the challenges and the unpredictable turns of the modern life.

Just a few of the great biographies for study in the classroom are listed:

• Benjamin Franklin   (1706-1790)

• Catherine the Great  (1729-1796)

• Charles Darwin   (1809-1882)

• Charlotte Bronte   (1816-1855)

• J. Pierpont Morgan   (1837-1913)

• Thomas Edison   (1847-1931)

• Albert Schweitzer   (1875-1965)

• Will Rogers   (1879-1935)

• Douglas MacArthur   (1880-1964)

• Harry S. Truman  (1884-1972)

• Eleanor Roosevelt   (1884-1964)

• Walt Disney  (1901-1966).

• Students will be less likely to drop out when they are learning interesting things which they can relate to. .. Tell them good stories. .. True stories of accomplished people are the best!

WALTER CRONKITE SPEAKS ABOUT TEACHING

Cronkite’s opinions from the 1930s ring just as true today:

“Most depressing was the way history was taught. I was not lucky enough in either high school or college to have a teacher who seemed  willing, or perhaps able, to portray the conflict of fascinating personalities that underlies nearly all the critical moments of human experience. Reducing this great drama to the rote of names, dates, and places ought to be treated as a punishable crime.”

“History should not be thought of by students as their dullest subject. Understanding history and the issues on which citizens of a republic are expected to vote is impossible without an understanding of the past. Teachers who fail to impart that lesson can be accused of sabotaging the democratic process.”

LEARNING SHOULD BE STIMULATING.

Classrooms must not stifle the spirit of students.

Much better for schools to be relevant to their interests.

Better students will become reliable adults and Voters.

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History classes may be of greater interest to students when experienced through the lives of great persons. History comes alive and draws the student into a living experience.

Benjamin Franklin, one of Americas greatest patriots and statesman, developed the habit of frugality early in life. With his strong beliefs in forming virtuous habits, he then developed a series of 13 virtues which he proceeded to achieve, one by one, over many years. Good habits can be your best friend; Work on them. Ben’s life serves as a great roll model even today.

Albert Schweitzer devoted his life to serving and giving back for what he was so generously given in genius and musical talents. He loved life and all aspects of humanity and nature. His most famous saying is Reverence for Life which he lived out at his Lamborghini jungle hospital in equatorial Africa. He died there in 1965 at age 90 , a truly respected and great human being.

Henry David Thoreau is noted for his scholarly lifestyle and non-materialism. He was a doer and a thinker who described his two years in the wilderness of Massachusetts at Walden Pond in 1845. He is an example of resourcefulness and survival in the natural world.

Will Rogers was taken from us at age 35 in a plane crash. This barely schooled Oklahoma cowboy, horseman, and fancy rope trickster, rode to fame and fortune with his good humor and folk wisdom. He starred in Wild West shows, vaudeville, radio, movies, and more. He stated famously “I Never Met a Man I did Not Like”. Every president from Warren Harding through Franklin Roosevelt invited him to the white-house. His biography should be studied in history classes in place of some boring material in history books I’ve seen. He traveled abroad and saw more clearly than most Americans, the problems arising in the 1920s. Because of his wit, his bold talk was listened to by even his political opponents. America loved and adored their Will Rogers.

Jimmy Carter (ex President) has lead an exemplary life filled with many accomplishments after a rather difficult childhood growing up in rural Plains, Ga. After winning the Nobel Peace Prize he was still going strong at age 90 with his many Carter Foundation projects in dozens of countries throughout the world. Then suddenly he was diagnosed with a life threatening brain cancer with a grim prognosis. Then, consistent with his true nature, he fearlessly taught his beloved country how to say goodbye! His story is not yet ended, but we can say he is a great patriot, a scholar, and a teacher to the end. Who could ask for a better roll model for our youngsters. He is a prolific author on a wide range of subjects for teachers of history to choose from.

Catherine the Great,  Empress of Russia,  ruled Russia for 34 years (1762-1796) as one of the world’s most accomplished leaders, men or women. Young ambitious women today could gain great inspiration by reading about how she overcame early challenges. It is hard for us to imagine the complexities and hazards of her life in Europe during this unstable period. She was age 33 when Czar Peter III was murdered and she thus became Empress. Her struggles and triumphs are too numerous to describe here. Her story requires a detailed reading about her monumental accomplishments.

Harry S. Truman: One of our greatest Presidents, often called “The Accidental President”, served from 1945 through 1952 during many critical years in our history. See the Page entitled QUALIFICATIONS FOR ELECTED OFFICE for more about this great man.

INSPIRE STUDENTS TO HIGHER ACHIEVEMENTS, and

ALWAYS VOTE in EVERY ELECTION

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The future of our country is dependent upon the quality of our citizens, solid citizens with high integrity.  Teachers can guide and coach them to develop good habits that can carry them through the years. A good and balanced education will lead to a more responsible adult, one who will  take active participation to improve the world.  …  One who takes voting as a sacred duty.

What can be more important to our future!

TEACH THE IMPORTANCE OF EACH VOTE

It is essential to achieve an 80% turnout!

Communication and social skills must be improved among children. The common use of profanity may fade away if children were taught a better vocabulary and how to use it. This includes showing proper respect for each individual regardless of race, color, or creed. Use proven ways to stop schoolyard bullies. We have come a long way, but improvements are  not yet universal.

K -12 education must evolve to include more than just the academic subjects. Students need to follow their own pathways to adulthood. Why must every child be required take math subjects such as Geometry and Algebra? Give them a choice of subjects of their own personal interests. This approach will keep them interested in school and greatly reduce dropouts. A more balanced education can result in a better society where all graduates are filled with hope and promise and thus prepared to better face future situations.

One such school system has been established in San Jose, CA. It is Rocketship Education. What future schools will be. Details are at http://www.rsed.org/.

A modern school would have a study course for each individual, designed for success for each person. Allow students to learn in ways not involving “sitting in a classroom behind a desk”. Not all high school graduates need to go to college nor aspire to advanced degrees. The jobs available for these “cookie cutter” graduates are too few for the future demand. More resources need to be directed to the just average student. They are the one’s whose needs have been most neglected. The bright and motivated student will do just fine.

A successful school system should enable each child to succeed, not to be forced into only one or two study courses. Provide a larger selection to chose from. A student will always learn best when he likes the subject matter. Yes, this will require more teachers and maybe smaller class size in some cases. If we want quality it may cost a bit more, but it is better than spending funds on failed “Correctional Programs”. All of the needed funds can come from shaving less than 5% from our Military Budget!

Think of  the best way to resolve our nation’s many conflicts.

Our better educated children will become the voters and leaders of tomorrow.

They will leap-frog over their elders.

Their freedom and maturity will solve all conflicts much faster.

Our children will rescue us from these challenging times.

For more classroom ideas, go to:

www.grassaction.org/culture-of-the-classroom/

FURTHER READING: http://www.rsed.org/ … ROCKETSHIP EDUCATION system of San Jose, CA.

Rocketship Education is a network of public K through 5 charter schools serving primarily K-5 students in all neighborhoods where parents get involved. Using a blend of traditional instruction, adaptive technology and targeted tutoring, Rocketship strives to meet the unique needs of each and every student. But we believe that truly transformative schools do more than educate students; they empower teachers, engage parents and inspire communities. Together, we can eliminate the achievement gap in our lifetime.

http://markmanson.net/taught-in-school … (The concepts behind his blunt language have some real value for educational reform).

And, above all, Vote, Vote, and Vote. … No excuses!