Pupils think Auschwitz is a beer

[Irish-American]

I polled my own class today (this a class of 30 give or take 16 to 18 yr olds) and 7 raised there hands when I asked if they knew what Auschwitz was...
When mr. D told them it was the nazi death camp about ten more said, "OMG that was in our US history book!"

[tommyargue]

I polled my own class today (this a class of 30 give or take 16 to 18 yr olds) and 7 raised there hands when I asked if they knew what Auschwitz was...
When mr. D told them it was the nazi death camp about ten more said, "OMG that was in our US history book!"

Well lets face it, it's not like it was something important, like shoes for instance or which celebrity is wearing which designer.

[Irish-American]

(see my rant about history in context on page 1 or two for a response) I love smileys

[Irish-American]

Well like I said eariler if they had been living in 1940 the fact thier Jewish friend was dragged from thier home at 3am would just as imporant as an ipod. History is just study of things one genration thinks is imporant, and people don't see that nowadays. To them its all numbers and names.

[Irish-American]

just a note:
I ended up handing out that artlce to all of the history teachers at my school, they were as shocked and apualed as everyone here, I hope it made some small differnce in the fight against ignoroce.

[knightofredemption]

Fair play, allot of small differences soon mount up.

[Irish-American]

I hope you're right. Its still had to shallow that people just two years younger then me don't know about it.

[the_power]

I think really, Kids just need to be exposed to history in a way that makes sense to them...

http://fc64.deviantart.com/fs22/f/2008/ ... McLeod.jpg

John

[Irish-American]

It also depends on the teacher I think. If they care about and have a passion for the subject. I once had a teacher who said, "World War 2 was a fighting type situation and again there was fighting." I almost shouted "DUH! That's why its called a war."

[redneckjedi]

When I was in Jr. High (Middle School nowadays) our history teacher was having trouble stirring up interest of the class. One day we came into class and there he was with a big-ass claymore. Everyone was excited and wanted to hold it but he said "no" because this was a piece of history and none of the class was interested in history. He then gave us a lesson on Scottish history (focusing on some battles) and soon the class was hooked. Several of us actually went on to living history hobbies after that.


That is the key. Make history interesting. My friend's College Ancient History professor showed up one day in full Roman Legionary kit...