How have you managed to work your ideas, understandings, and efforts at the National Academy into your classroom?
It might be small. In a recent e-mail, Larry mentioned working Aristotle, Hobbes, and Locke into his conversations with students. That’s a good place to start. I remember telling a student she sounded like Aristotle. She stood a little taller although she wasn’t quite sure why and we created an excellent opportunity to share more. It might be big. It wasn’t quick or easy but I eventually reorganized the sequence of my course so I could start with the concept of CITIZENSHIP and use that as a foundation for studying the history I also taught. It might be dozens and dozens of conversations with students and colleagues and everyone in between.
Take a couple of minutes to celebrate that accomplishment and share it with us under “comments.” If you’re thinking through ideas for this year, share those too. Why sift through dozens and dozens of generic ideas on the web when you have your Academy friends right here?
We’re wrapping up a unit on the Revolutionary War, during which I’ve brought in Magna Charta, Hobbes & Locke–used Kevin’s powerpoint on Hobbes and now all the kids want to meet LV!
I present excerpts of primary documents whenever possible, and help them to sift through the language. When we read through the Declaration some of the more astute students were able to identify Locke’s and Hobbes’ ideas–and even more specifically with “Common Sense.”
Next week we start on the Constitution–more fun!