Published: August 29, 2008 12:03 pm            

West Clark Schools participating in national pilot program to teach history in a different way

At what’s considered a small school system, at 3,800 students in 2007-08, West Clark Community Schools Corp. may be one of the ones at the forefront of changing history.

Well, the way it’s taught, at least.

All eight of the corporation’s U.S. History teachers have volunteered to take part in a pilot study where they will use a different approach to teaching history lessons and see in the end which works best — the new or old ways.

Those eight are part of 17 participating in the nation, according to Denise Bessler, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.

Using the traditional model, students studied and memorized dates, names and events, Bessler said.

The new model, which uses two large books written like action novels, encourages students to know what events happened that impacted the nation and how those affect how decisions are made today, according to Bessler.

She said this new model, which uses the books “America: The Last Best Hope I and II” by William Bennett, also has an interactive Web site that has tools for teachers and areas where students can learn more on items that interest them, such as using maps, pictures and copies of famous speeches.

“We’re trying to change the way we teach history,” Bessler said. “A lot of people really don’t care for history. We want it to be interesting and engaging.”

Easily said, but does it work? The Evening News went to Henryville High School to find out.

“I’m not a big fan of history at all, but this [program] makes it a lot easier to pay attention,” 16-year-old Abby Taylor said. “I guess it’s told more like a story rather than straight-up information.”

“This is like [the author] is talking to you. Like a story,” 17-year-old Ian McCulloch said. “It’s easier to understand and we don’t forget it as easily as we would with straight-up information out of a textbook, which can be hard to take in.”

Bessler said that’s the other benefit: retention of the information.

“Anyone can sit and memorize a lot of information, but how well do they remember it? Is it to pass the test or is it learned knowledge that they can use and apply to everyday situations?” Bessler asked.

She said this program encourages curiosity in the students and gives them a way to research and learn more on subjects that interest them.

“I hope this helps the kids remember more, and for them to see the importance of knowing history,” Bessler said.

Perry Hunter, who teaches U.S. history at Henryville, said he already is seeing a difference.

“The effect that I have seen, so far, is what I thought would happen. More students are reading history [and] they enjoy it,” Hunter said. “We have Silent Sustained Reading during a study hall, and there are students choosing to read that book.

“There are students who have told me that they have enjoyed it so much they are buying it to read at home.

“I think anytime you get students reading something besides their e-mail, MySpace, Facebook or text messages, it is a bonus.”

Matthew Himmelhaver, social studies teacher at Silver Creek High School, said he hopes this program leads to a shift in how people perceive history classes.

“I would like to see a shift in the attitudes of students as it pertains to American history,” he said. “Hopefully, the subject becomes something that students want to learn instead of something that they are required to learn.”

West Clark’s participants will be tested sometime in September and in April to see what they knew to start off the year and where they are at the end. Those results will be compared with classes in the nation serving as control groups that are not using the materials.

The study is being conducted by Team HOPE, which is a group comprised of the books’ author, five recipients of the Milken Educator Award and Thomas Nelson Publishing.

Those students involved said they are excited to be a part of something that may change how history is taught.

“Henryville is one of the smallest towns in the county,” 18-year-old Zach Bowman said. “So, it’s pretty cool that we’re a part of this.”

        

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