This was a complex relationship between Indians and settlers, therefore what children are thaught is not WHAT really happened.Is not teaching them to hate their birthplace, is to teach ;TRUTH.Is in history books ,that the tribe suspected the settlers of robbing Indian graves to steal food.Also is a good way to nurture critical thinking.We owe it to all of us to come out with the truth.
2006-11-24 03:34:11 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Where do you get your information that the settlers were stealing from Indian graves? And if this is true, you're putting way to bad of a slant on it. The settlers of Massachusetts were a very religious group that would just steal unless it was a matter of survival more than likely. What would you do for your family in a life and death situation? Don't taint our country's history by making the settlers at Plymouth sound like a group of selfish and careless people. Their first winter was very difficult, and they had to learn how to live all over again. As for teaching this to elementary students, I think they would be a little young to understand the whole truth. An older group of students would be able to grasp the details better and know that nothing was malicious in their acts, whatever their acts may have been. Regardless of the truth, it should be told. The truth shouldn't be twisted, but made to be understood. Obviously there are adults out there that can't grasp the meaning behind some things either.
2006-11-24 04:42:52 · answer #1 · answered by whosaysdiscoisdead 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This truth, as with others, should be taught in small increments as their maturity and understanding grows. The grave robbing is for older students. The fact that the settlers had an imperfect relationship with the Indians is a teachable moment. It is sad that we do not teach it in the context of problem solving.
2006-11-24 06:34:01 · answer #2 · answered by fancyname 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
history channel last night did a great job in telling all about the settlers. i would stick to the historical facts and treaties that wee formed from this era. going into grave obbing and other stuff is correct but could get you into trouble with the parents. its better served for high school or even college aged students. the truth is accepted lies written by the victors the losers have no recourse in explaining there side of events.
2006-11-24 16:55:54 · answer #3 · answered by gbulldogs88 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Too bad the natives didn't understand the real reason for the grave robbing: the settlers just wanted to see, and they didn't care who they defiled in the process. Yes, schoolchildren should know the truth, and maybe we'll finally start telling them. It isn't PC. It's just the right thing to do.
Some of the children figure it out anyway. I didn't buy "manifest destiny" when I was eight, and I still don't buy it.
2006-11-24 03:43:02 · answer #4 · answered by Kacky 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that elementary school children should be taught the true account of thanksgiving, it just needs to be handled in a sensitive manner appropriate to their grade level. We shouldn't tell kindergartners that the pilgrims were bloody murderers who stole from the American Indians and killed them off-that's a bit blunt for a five year old. However, if the subject is handled more delicately and at a level of appropriateness for the age group,. students can learn very valuable information about prejudice, bias, and relations between different groups without being fed a bunch of lies.
2006-11-24 10:34:08 · answer #5 · answered by mack046 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What level elementary?
First graders can barely handle the idea of a past, so I wouldn't go crazy on this one.
Fifth graders should get some of the truth, I suppose. But critical thinking requires abstract thought, and they are still at the operational or concrete stage.
They can't think for themselves yet.
They WOULD hate their birhtplace if they were taught TRUTH. Or they would get very confused and stop bothering to learn.
2006-11-25 04:23:36 · answer #6 · answered by starryeyed 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, because they won't understand it they way we see it. They may not be thankful anymore. I think that they should wait. I learned it 2 years ago in 8th grade and i don't feel lied to or believe i was cheated out. Their minds are developed for learning that yet. It's like asking them to memorize a chapter book. They can't comprehend everything. And were not lying to the children either! They'll learn it! They might hate the Americas after they learn it and kids really don't want to learn it. They just want to eat stuffing and turkey and watch movies!
2006-11-24 03:47:10 · answer #7 · answered by VOllEYbAll036 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. What evidence do you have that the "Indians" thought the settlers robbed their graves "to steal food"?
2006-11-24 03:40:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course they should know. Why lie about history? In our books are a bunch of lies about american history,but when we are telling the history of some other country(i.e. Germany) we tell it all plus some extra. I don't think it's fair to the children that they are being lied to, someone should tell them the truth.
2006-11-24 03:45:59 · answer #9 · answered by curious2002 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Children need to be taught the truth and develop their own opinions. Being overprotective is more harmful than helpful. We shouldn't want ignorant children.
2006-11-24 04:02:41 · answer #10 · answered by cammie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋