"History," wrote James Baldwin, "does not refer merely, or even principally, to the past. On the contrary, the great force of history comes from the fact that we carry it within us, are unconsciously controlled by it in many ways, and history is literally present in all that we do."
History is present precisely in how we become engaged citizens, participating in our democracy, and aware of how history relates to our economic, geographic, social, political, and cultural context and conditions.
This is a lot to expect teachers to cover in our public schools, but it is precisely what we ask our social studies teachers to do.
The interesting thing about exemplary social studies programs is that they work. For example, Hawaii History Day, a signature program of the Hawaii Council for the Humanities for the past 22 years, features project-based educational learning whereby students do original historical research to create a documentary, performance, display, website or essay. History Day reflects the value of social studies by promoting critical thinking, writing and research skills, and performance across all subjects. In doing so, it inspires students to do more than they ever thought they could.
A program like History Day shapes students into well-rounded, collaborative, independently motivated leaders who are prepared to lead. It does this in three ways: First, it gives students the ability to find and interpret primary historical sources, including oral histories, original documents and historical photographs. Second, it lets them think like historians and make their own well-reasoned arguments, defending a thesis with supporting evidence, a skill that also allows them to judge the relative strength and reasonableness of the arguments of others. And, finally, it forces them to think beyond the facts in their projects to explain why we should care about any of it, how it is significant and relevant for us today.
As Aiea Intermediate School social studies teacher Robert Tabije, recently recognized as the 2011 Junior Division National History Day Teacher of the Year, says: "(History day) goes far beyond the classroom. … I have seen it change individuals, families, and communities."
According to a National History Day study, with due attention to demographic variety and statistical control groups, History Day students out-performed non-History Day peers on state standardized tests in multiple subjects, including reading, science and math, as well as social studies. History Day students were shown to be better writers, writing with a purpose and real voice, and marshalling solid evidence to support their points of view.
Social studies prepares students for college, work and citizenship. It promotes understanding of our contemporary global community. Please don’t reduce its impact by cutting the number of required social studies credits in our public schools.
