Please review the instructions on the right, when finished write a reflective essay related to the text that presents your ideas, insights, beliefs, and teaching strategies related to the text. The template on the right is provided to assist you in writing your essay; however, bloggers are not required to use the template.
55 Comments
Paul Noble
3/9/2017 09:45:01 am
Blog #1, Lessons For Our Times (Chapters 1, 11, 12):
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Cindy Ness
3/21/2017 04:30:56 pm
Paul this is a fabulous essay. It is a perfect example for others to review to check the quality of their own work. Thanks for setting a high bar for others to follow. Thanks for answering Lisa's question regarding how to post a blog- way to be on the ball!
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Lisa Beard
4/19/2017 07:44:50 pm
I completely agree that Paul set a high standard to follow, and I really appreciated that he answered my questions. As stated in other responses, I also believe that we are still fighting the Civil War and most likely always will one way or another. I find it sad that our nation cannot find a way to respect each other's rights and live in peace. I continue to be afraid for future generations.
Janica Kynaston
3/30/2017 04:44:11 pm
Blog 1
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Paul Noble
3/30/2017 06:13:21 pm
Janica,
Kyler Bingham
4/26/2017 04:59:37 pm
Your "old man" is right! History does repeat itself. Cycles are consistently seen throughout history. The problem is that most people don't live long enough to see this happen. If we are to be aware of this, we have to be diligent students throughout our entire lives. Many people don't really read much about history, so they are unfortunately blind to much of this!
Amy Dalley
5/11/2017 11:10:32 am
I enjoyed reading this essay. I loved your tone and fun way of explaining your thoughts and analysis. I especially liked your C.S. Lewis quote.
Janica Kynaston
3/30/2017 05:24:15 pm
Paul, I loved your use of the word grappling because I think it really sums up how difficult the concept of human rights can be. I totally agree with your statement that we are still fighting the Civil War, if not literally, but certainly figuratively. The imbalance you speak of is real and present today, but certainly not as pronounced as before the Civil War. As a nation we need to recognize that we were the first to stand up and call slavery what it is -inhuman.
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Lisa Beard
4/10/2017 04:35:00 pm
Paul, I have read and re-read your blog - numerous times. I agree that our government has always been about securing the rights of its citizens, and I love your take on liberty. I think this is where the problem comes in - for example: Too often "citizens" over stretch what was actually meant. People use the term "freedom of speech" too loosely. Freedom of speech still has to be done in a nonviolent manner, but people just see that amendment as their right to say as they please with no regard to the slanderous words being spoken. A favorite quote of mine is "You are free to do as you please, but you are not free from the consequences." Freedom of speech still has guidelines that much to many are neglecting to respect. When it talks about citizens - to me, citizens refer to those who are in our country legally. If they are not here legally, I fail to see where they are a "citizen." I find myself so frustrated today with everything going on in the news with people not being held accountable for breaking the fundamental laws of this land. I truly believe, until people accept the laws of the land, and are held to them, we will remain is turmoil. Another Civil War is soon upon us -
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Patrick Tolman
4/17/2017 10:53:51 am
Paul, your conclusion really resonated with what I got out of these chapters (especially chapter 1). Our history is full of example of how we seem to forget or simply discard the principles upon which our nation is founded. The idea that our country continues to try to pursue a balance between the different forms of liberty does provide some hope for the future. I appreciate your examples and the light they shed on the issue at hand here.
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Amy Dalley
5/11/2017 11:08:49 am
AMAZING post! Thanks for the insight and beautifully written analysis. I have read it several times!
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Lisa Beard
3/21/2017 03:50:32 pm
Hi Paul, could you please explain where you went to write your blog? I am having a pain of a time figuring all of this out. Thanks!
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Paul Noble
3/21/2017 03:56:34 pm
You just used the process required to ask me how to use it.
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Lisa
3/21/2017 05:21:03 pm
I thought that was for responses. Good to know. Thanks a bunch!
Lisa Beard
3/23/2017 02:53:40 pm
Blog #1 - The War That Forged a Nation: Chapters 1, 11, 12
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Janica Kynaston
3/30/2017 04:51:10 pm
Lisa, I really liked you summary and ideas here. I too liked the statement about Lincoln being a man of humble beginnings, yet even though he found himself in a position of great power, he never abused it. Where is our Lincoln of today?
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Andrew Spratt
5/16/2017 07:30:53 am
Lisa, this is a great summary of these chapters. I also found it really interesting that the Civil War results in a nation that is not just preserved, but more united than ever once the war is over. It's an important indicator of the significance of the war.
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Cindy Ness
3/24/2017 10:58:06 am
Lisa, Thanks for your thoughts, like you I appreciate the idea expressed by Faulkner that “The past is not dead; it is not even the past". This is certainly true in regards to the ongoing fight for Civil Rights. Have you found your readings have given you a greater respect for Lincoln? For myself Chapter 11, made me sit back and recognize what a poor job I have done teaching Lincoln's legacy to my students. I am resolved to do better. I hope you are enjoying your readings. Best wishes, Cindy
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Lisa Beard
3/27/2017 03:05:23 pm
Hi Cindy, yes,I have learned a lot about Lincoln and his fight. It has been extremely interesting. Will we get notified when assignments are submitted/received? I submitted my Voices of Freedom assignment last week and thought I would get something telling me it had been received, and I haven't, so I wanted to make sure. Please let me know if you have/haven't received it, so I can figure out why and resubmit it. Thanks!
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Janica Kynadton
3/30/2017 07:12:59 pm
I certainly appreciate your answer to my question about John Fremont. Your explanation was very clear for a novice like myself. I got a kick out of the polygamy side note. I believe the book I read was called Immotal Women and if I recall Fremont's wife was the strength behind his success. When you used the term "Pathfinder" it rattled my memory and At my age that's a rarity. But, I did remembered that Fremonts wife, Jesse, was another Mrs. John Adams in the fact that their husbands conferred with them on everything and valued their advise greatly. Once more, thanks for clearing that up for me so elequantly and promptly. 👏🏻
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Kyler Bingham
4/5/2017 06:22:14 pm
The Civil War certainly hold ups, even in 2017. I was talking to one of my 10th grade World Civilizations students just before Spring Break and he demanded of me, “When are we going to learn about the Civil War!?” “Soon,” was all I could reply at the moment. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that we have to brush over it in World History, and that he’ll have to wait until the fall in order to dig deeper into this subject. It’s exciting to see students WANT to learn about something. The Civil War stays relevant even in 2017 - even to teenagers! That indeed says something about the nature and relevancy of this time period in American History.
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Kyler Bingham
4/5/2017 06:23:56 pm
BLOG POST #1
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Janica
4/18/2017 01:04:55 pm
Kyler,
Erin OBrien
4/17/2017 09:12:47 am
Kyler, I have the same response from my students and I agree I am always excited when my students ask when they are going to learn something especially when it relates so directly to their lives today. Each and everyone of my students is impacted by the Civil War and the movement in a variety of ways. And maybe what you will notice when you do discuss this time in history with your students (at least I did) was why did this event solve the problems? And this opens an amazing opportunity to really engage with the young people about why people think and behave the way they do and how history still affects us today. I like what you said about that moment with the author realized that everyday we are making history because we have the opportunity to make history and change the path that we are currently headed down hopefully through education and conversation. This is a good start at least for our classrooms.
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Jamica
4/18/2017 01:07:56 pm
Erin, I found your comments on liberty interesting as I hold “Liberty very dear to my heart. I am in agreement that the meaning is very personal and individualized for everyone. I wonder if the experiment called “liberty” is working as it was meant to when the Declaration was written. Have we trampled on those specific words or twisted them to fit our society? Can the civil rights issues that still exit ever be completely resolved. I think not, because instead of thinking as one, knowing and cherishing our nations Declaration – people will always have their agenda – and liberty goes out the window.
Lisa Beard
4/19/2017 07:55:40 pm
Janica, I agree that fear is a main fuel of interest in most everything, and often it is that fear that causes us to "weep in sorrow." When you write about "Staring that man in the face you are about to shoot," it reminds me of the short story "The Sniper," where the man shoots the enemy, and after, when he approaches the dead man, he turn the body over and is staring into the eyes of his brother. The killing of another being is horrific in itself, but when you think in terms of man against son, brother against brother - it is truly unimaginable.
LeNina Wimmer
4/22/2017 09:05:28 am
Kyler,
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Amy Dalley
5/11/2017 10:54:26 am
Kyler-
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Andrew Spratt
5/16/2017 07:33:06 am
Hi Kyler. You raise a great point when you mention that the core issue of the Civil War wasn't just slavery, but the balance between state and federal power. You're so right that this is an enduring issue, one that creates a lot of friction and disunity in the nation still. However, this mosaic of varying state cultures also makes the US a very diverse place with a large number of local cultures and flavor. I sometimes wonder if this is overall a good thing or not, but it's certainly not boring.
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Lisa Beard
4/6/2017 03:35:08 pm
Kyler, the fact that your student asked when you would be studying the Civil War just further supports the idea that it was, and continues to be, a war of great interest. Each time I turn on the news any more I sense another civil war coming. Never in my lifetime have I felt such an unrest amongst citizens of our nation. It seems many of the issues remain the same, just under a different name so to speak. I am not a history buff, but I have to wonder if there has always been such a battle between political parties. It seems today's war is between the political powers rather than the region, but then again, I see regional tensions mounting also. When we went to war with Desert Storm I watched students not seem concerned about their future, because they weren't sure they were going to have one. I often wonder if the state of the world isn't somewhat to blame for the lack of care I often see in the youth I teach. I believe their interest in the Civil War is related to the way they see our country going.
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Eric Berntson
5/15/2017 09:37:40 pm
Kyler, I really liked how you talked about the "deeper issues at hand". It is so important that we help our students see both sides of the issues. If we help them have empathy and see what it was like to be in the shoes of historical characters they can understand history in a much better lens.
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Daron Gatherum
4/10/2017 09:28:35 pm
Nearly every week for the past twenty years that I have been teaching I have had at least one student ask me why they have to learn about whatever topic we are currently discussing. My typical response has been that in order to understand the present we need an understanding of the past.Twenty Three years ago as student in college I enrolled in a Civil War and Reconstruction class taught by an amazing professor. I asked, to myself, the same questions as my students ask now, "Why does this matter?" It was in Dr. Cazier's that I first began to understand why we study, and continue to study history, in particular, the Civil War. As part of the curriculum we read James Mc Pherson's "Battle Cry of Freedom". Now as I ready the same author's "The War That Forged a Nation" I am continuing to learn what for me started over 23 years ago-Why the Civil War Still Matters. Through reading the first three assigned chapters I am gaining a clearer understanding as to why it still matters, and I believe will continue to matter for generations to come. Every war has a legacy, lessons learned, tragedies, villains and heroes. The Civil war is no different.
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Eric Berntson
5/15/2017 09:50:52 pm
Deron,
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Lisa Beard
4/11/2017 05:55:52 pm
Daren, It seems the common question asked by most, if not all, students, is "why do we have to learn this? Why does this matter"? I honestly think these questions are more easily answered when studying something like the Civil War, because I believe it gets down to the basic concept of "we learn from our mistakes," or "we learn from our experiences." I think it would be easier to get students involved in something that hopefully they can clearly see has affected, and will continue to affect their lives - past, present and future, such as civil war time. I agree with Faulkner, "The past is not dead; in fact, it is not even the past". I have repeatedly said in a number of these blogs, that I believe the past always comes back to us. It may be in a different form, but in some way, it always comes back. I agree with you in that we are still fighting the same war, and will continue to fight the same war. I missed the quote in chapter 1 "For better or worse, the flames of Civil War forged the framework of modern America," so thank you for pointing that out. It speaks volumes of how significant the Civil War was and will continue to be. Like you, it is hard for me to understand why people would fight for things like slavery or genocide, but the fact that they will, means it must matter to them.
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Erin OBrien
4/17/2017 08:58:02 am
Blog #1 - Lessons for our Times
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Patrick Tolman
4/17/2017 11:47:53 am
Thank you for your thoughtful response about the difficulty of people reconciling their different beliefs about a word that most people would claim they understand. It is so much more complicated that it would seem. However most people think it is simple from their own viewpoint and this seems to be where the conflict comes in when both sides fight for liberty. These chapters did a good job of helping me to more deeply consider this and how it plays out in my own beliefs.
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Janica
4/18/2017 01:13:19 pm
Patrick,
Kim Ball
4/18/2017 09:30:51 am
Erin -
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Melinda Reay
5/7/2017 03:29:26 pm
Erin,
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Paul Noble
5/15/2017 11:10:29 am
Erin,
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Eric Berntson
5/15/2017 10:01:58 pm
Erin,
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Patrick Tolman
4/17/2017 11:43:16 am
Blog #1 Lessons for our time Chapters 1, 11 and 12
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Kim Ball
4/18/2017 09:31:47 am
Blog # 1
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LeNina Wimmer
4/22/2017 09:09:44 am
Kim,
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Daron Gatherum
5/13/2017 07:21:38 pm
Kim,
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Eric Berntson
5/15/2017 10:08:49 pm
Kim,
LeNina Wimmer
4/22/2017 09:47:45 am
Blog Post #1
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LeeAnn Hyer
5/4/2017 01:48:38 pm
LeNina,
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Eric Berntson
5/15/2017 10:18:41 pm
LeNina,
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Andrew Spratt
4/26/2017 11:02:10 am
At its purest essence, history is about connections. Without an ability to connect what we know of history to our present time, then the study of the past would become simply an academic frivolity. However, as William Faulkner said, “The past is not dead. It isn’t even past” (5). This certainly applies to the Civil War. In reading The War that Forged a Nation I was struck over and over at the ways in which the legacy of the Civil War is still with us today, and the need to impress upon my students the interconnected nature of history.
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Kim Ball
4/27/2017 08:16:58 pm
Andrew -
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LeeAnn Hyer
5/1/2017 12:34:42 pm
Blog #1
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Melinda Reay
5/1/2017 08:13:50 pm
Blog 1 - The War That Forged a Nation, Chapters 1, 11, 12
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LeeAnn Hyer
5/4/2017 01:57:33 pm
Melinda,
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Amy Dalley
5/9/2017 10:11:20 am
In James McPherson’s book The War That Forged a Nation: Why the Civil War Still Matters, the author explains that people worldwide are still fascinated with the Civil War. One of the reasons presented was the shear carnage of the war. This war was fought on American soil between Americans. The facts that brothers were fighting brothers and both sides were fighting for their interpretation of liberties promised by the founding fathers make this a complicated and complex war.
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