Loewen, Chapter 11

The next topic under attack by Loewen is the end of history textbooks, which all tend to end on a high note. American history textbooks are full of hope and promise, and highlight the progress made, and the projected progress to come. Ending books like this- if the class even makes it to the end of the book- gives students a sense of false hope. One of the biggest problems that Loewen points out is that textbooks fail to discuss ideas, so students lose out on a lot of back-story which leaves gaps in the story of the past. By discussing ideas, students can look critically towards the future which has the potential to help them make a difference by not repeating the past. According to Shakespeare, and highlighted by Loewen, 'past is prologue', which means that we are currently living in the prologue to the future. If we adjust how we live and come up with innovate ways to enter the future, then perhaps we can create the happy ending fantasized about in our text books.

To teach students to look at the present as the gateway to the future, and as the groundwork for tomorrow's history, I think that it would be helpful for students to compare an ideal that they are all familiar with to reality. A site like this is a good starting point to get students thinking about the American Dream and how achievable it really is. Understanding the myths rooted in this dream will help students see that the false depictions in history textbooks leave more to be analyzed. 

One of the critical issues discussed in this chapter is the finite number of resources that we have. I think it will be important to impress upon students that this world is all we have to sustain our life, and so perhaps bigger isn't always better because bigger just leads us closer to the end. However dismal that thought it, it is important that we figure out how to conserve and recycle if we hope to continue being successful as a nation. Also, when times get hard it is important that we don't brush problems aside in order to create a prettier picture- allowing students a chance to discuss how to tackle problems head-on will create a smarter generation more able and willing to step up and make a difference on their own- whether it be in the government, an environmental agency, or any group that serves to propel America into a successful future.

The BIG QUESTION: How do we impress the finite nature of our planet without sounding too soap-boxy, and how do we present history and the pathway to the future accurately without depressing students?