tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572477827283856543.post8801051681046387636..comments2023-08-25T03:13:27.885-07:00Comments on Thinking about History Teaching: Textbook on Trial: Some opening thoughtsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047142530155193530noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572477827283856543.post-1624203544198164512013-08-09T04:27:55.296-07:002013-08-09T04:27:55.296-07:00" I am comfortable saying that textbooks have..." I am comfortable saying that textbooks have a place in a history classroom." I agree with this, and am curious what you have in mind for the defense? To be clear I also agree to that no textbook is also better than all textbook."<br /><br />Hi Eric, my defense, influenced by Sam Winemburg's thoughts on this topic, is that as long as we are using the textbooks as a springboard to think carefully and critically about how historical narratives are constructed, then textbooks provide good fodder to do this. Given the ubiquitous nature of textbooks, teachers who refuse to use them are ignoring a resource that, at the very least, can be treated like a basic reference book that can be used to begin the process of providing students with some background knowledge. Also, as pointed out by Wineburg in his Undue Certainty essay, some teachers shun textbooks while embracing books like Zinn's Peoples History of the United States, treating Zinn's book as an anti-textbook. When, at least rhetorically, there are major similarities between how Zinn writes and the language of textbook authors. Both seem to treat the past as consisting of fixed, knowable accounts. Though their truths may vary, that historical truths can be known at all seems to be embedded in both books' styles. <br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04047142530155193530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4572477827283856543.post-44919648684120473352013-08-08T09:28:00.700-07:002013-08-08T09:28:00.700-07:00Some thoughts:
" I am comfortable saying tha...Some thoughts:<br /><br />" I am comfortable saying that textbooks have a place in a history classroom." I agree with this, and am curious what you have in mind for the defense? To be clear I also agree to that no textbook is also better than all textbook.<br /><br />I also like the idea of embedding this throughout the course with some possible product as a capstone. These skills need to be taught, especially to 9th graders. I teach some of this same content to 11th graders in AP Euro. They can read for main ideas, but are just as gullible regarding text.<br /><br />Providing examples of alternative approaches to history, which I'm sure that you will emphasize, also strikes me as important to the trial process. Most students have no concept of history as something other than a received narrative. They will need experience "uncovering" history as a counterexample of textbook coverage. I will be interested in exchanging ideas on these types of lessons for World History.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />EricEric Beckmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14800855256252050337noreply@blogger.com