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Case: Patriotic/Unpatriotic Facts After teaching middle school Social Studies for many years, I decided to go back to school to get my graduate degree. In one of my classes, we studied James Loewen's Lies My Teacher Told Me. I was so influenced by this book and the idea that we have been presenting students inaccurate information that I have been thoroughly researching the content I teach before presenting it to my students. Recently we have been studying international affairs of the US government. Some of the information I presented revealed actions the US government engaged in other countries that resulted in killings and disturbances. My students were interested in the materials and some of the issues we discussed in class made dinner-time discussions at home. One of the parents who is a retired army officer came to the school to talk to my principal. He told the principal that I was indoctrinating students. When my principal told me about this, I explained to her that all the information I presented was factual and that I researched the information from multiple resources. Her suggestion to me was that I should focus more on teaching patriotic materials. I am so frustrated that I do not have the support of my principal. Also, I disagree that what I teach is unpatriotic. I am simply trying to teach accurate information. If I continue doing what I do, I may lose my job. However, I do not want to give up teaching my students the truth. How should I go about this issue? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) The book seems to be very interesting; however, the contents of the book may be too advanced for middle school students. Books used in graduate school are written on a completely different level than those written for middle school students. One should stick to teaching what is indicated in the curriculum guides. The curriculum is designed around state standards and what is grade level appropriate. Many teachers may not agree with the curriculum or what books the district wants them to teach from, but it is evident that the teacher must be very careful with what they implement into the classroom. Teachers can recommend books that they feel could be implemented in their classrooms to the appropriate district personnel, principal, or content coaches. If the book is approved, then it can be used in the classroom. Lessons can always be improved by incorporating real-world examples, generating student discussion/input, using additional grade/content appropriate material, etc. |
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