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 Founding
Fathers
As a
teacher and history "geek", I enjoy teaching students
about the men AND women who were responsible for the foundation
of the United States. I believe textbooks are deficient,
slanted, and limited in portraying a realistic picture of the
people involved in establishing the Constitution. In my
classroom students learn about these people as human
beings. In essence, there is some critical thinking going
on as students read and discuss primary and secondary sources to understand
and internalize what made these people unique and well
remembered. We need not unwrap neat packages to portray
their stories as Weems portrays
Washington. Students need to understand and connect to
people and events, distinguish myth and reality, and realize the reason,
drive, and human characteristics that motivated these diverse
human beings. Nancy Isenberg in her book Fallen
Founder, The Life of Aaron Burr (2007) states this
perspective best:
"The founders were far more numerous than popular history
suggests, and far less righteous and dignified. What
separates history from myth is that history takes in the whole
picture, whereas myth averts our eyes from the truth when it
turns men into heroes and gods."
In order to do justice to this era,
educators need some background resources and understanding in their tool
belt. I have listed a few resources and links on this page
that will enable teachers working at any grade level to pursue
deeper understanding on this topic. More will be added as
time permits.
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WEB
SITE LINKS
This
site has lesson plans for many different aspects of the
American Revolution, events and people.
http://rayraphael.com/FM_LessonPlans,htm
Ray
Raphael has written some interesting books that you may
want to investigate. I enjoyed the Founding Myths
book.
The
First American Revolution |
Founding
Myths |
A
People's History of the American Revolution |
Another web site with MANY lesson plans and ideas is:
http://www.constitutioncenter.org/education/ForEducatiors/LessonPlans/AllLessonPlans.shtml
PROFESSIONAL READING
The
books listed below are wonderful! Great beach or
fireplace reading. The text is not written to be
stuffy but will keep you turning pages.
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Fifty-five
men met in Philadelphia in 1787 to create the
document the Constitution. The story
reflects the very human qualities of the men who
framed this document. Along with the well
known figures of Madison and Washington, other
figures will come into focus. Included is
a complete text of the Constitution. I
loved the historical details, thinking, and
mentally going back in time. |
| After
I read the first page of The Patriots
I was totally hooked! This is a great read
for anyone who would like to know about the
personalities behind the Revolution.
Include are Jefferson, J. Adams, S. Adsams,
Franklin, Jefferson, Patrick Henry; the Sons of
Liberty and more. I promise that this book
is not stuffy and the the drama and events keep
the pace moving. |
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The
Book of the Founding Fathers is a must have
for any intermediate, middle or high school
classroom. The portraits and ideas can be used
to develop many instructional activities. The
book contains information on the majority of the Founding
Fathers and a brief time line of their lives. |
| 1776
is a smooth journey. I have the book on CD
also. The author is credible.
McCullough portrays a human story of General
Washington in the year of the Declaration of
Independence. You will also learn more
about the British military leaders as well as
Washington's Generals Knox and Green. The
background information will enable teachers to
help their students connect to the history of
this time. |
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More Coming Soon............. |
B.Sarah
Froehlich, Web Mistress
August,
2007
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