William Shakespeare said- "There is history in all men's lives." I believe this assertion hits the importance of studying history at the most basic level. What has happened in the past is what has shaped our present and what will shape our future. No person is immune to the events and conquests of the past- although they may have already come and gone, the lasting effects of each historical event live on in our day to day lives. Everyone, regardless of age, gender, nationality, political or religious affiliation, is affected by history- we build off it, grow from it, and (if we're being smart) learn from it. Knowing where we've come from is instrumental for knowing where we're going.
Our students have the right to know what shaped our world today, and as educators it is our job to facilitate that learning. The study of history is so much more than just a time line of events. It delves into how society became the way it is- the development of cultures and the differences and similarities among the world's many diverse people, the advancement of many global systems (such as political, monetary, technological, and physical things such as transportation), and the constant change that is going on around us every day. One of the most intriguing things about the study of history and social studies is the role each of us play in it. It's so empowering to know that WE are part of the events that will shape tomorrow! The students sitting in today's elementary school classrooms are tomorrow's Nobel Prize winners, diplomats, and first female presidents. We owe it to them to provide the best social studies education we possibly can.
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