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Teaching History in the Present

Wednesday 28th of February 2007 10:13:56 PM

Since the conflict in the Middle East has escalated, many soldiers from different parts of the world have been sent to places like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran. This means that for many soldiers, going home for the holidays is impossible. But for one US solider, receiving a box of candy for Christmas from a class of sixth grade students was a dream come true.

Dana Fergins, who teaches history to sixth grade students had heard about a solider who missed having candy and other luxuries that he couldn’t have while stationed in Qatar. Fergins decided she would teach her students more about the region and the soldiers who were stationed there by communicating with the soldier via email. The students asked the soldier what he wanted for the holiday. He gave them a list of candy items and they sent out a care package.

As few weeks later, the soldier sent a response and a special surprise for the students - boxes of US army T-Shirts. The T-Shirts are adult sized, but the children were thankful anyway. “I wanted to show the kids that no matter why we are at war, we should still care about the soldiers who are fighting. They were so upset he was not going to come home at Christmas. It was a realization of where this man is really at,” said Fergins.

Not only did students help a soldier feel appreciated, they also learned more about the conflict, where it is taking place, and that real people are stationed there. This is a valuable history lesson the children will not soon forget. “My thing about teaching (history) is that they don't think it relates to them. They think it's in the past. We pulled out the maps and showed them where (Qatar) is,” said student teacher Britt Cefalu.

(c)Helmut Gevert, www.sxc.hu