Last week it was back to school and the start of a new semester. U.S. History A is now, shall we say, history, and its onward through the 20th century. Here in my school district we start the second part of U.S. history with WWII.
This is one of my favorite units as I feel we finally get to history that most students have some recognition of, and some even have great-grandfathers and mothers who are still alive. Having this connection with the past seems key, and helps a lot of students make the leap back in time. It seems more substantial, more real. This, of course, makes sense.
But what really caught me off guard was the presence of an exchange student from Germany in my class. We start off pretty much with the 1930s. The Treaty of Versailles, the depression, league of nations, ect. has all been covered. We start with Hitler’s rise and quickly move on through until U.S. involvement.
I strangely was very conscious of this student’s presence. I was almost somewhat nervous while discussing Hitler’s rise and the Nazi party, and antisemitism. I put myself in that student’s shoes. Imagined myself at that age, in another country, listening to someone discuss the Civil War and American slavery and treatment of Africans. Or our Indian removal policies, whatever. That might make me somewhat, uneasy.
Though this student was obviously handling it just fine, that whole first week I wasn’t. Internally I wondered how he was feeling and what he was thinking.
I start every class with usually a short reading, short journal or reflection, or some kind of short reading assignment while I take attendance.
The second or third day into my WWII unit I had the students read a short segment from the appendix of Hitler’s “Mein Kampf.” This was a announcement from 1921 involving the Nazi party and a anti-Jewish rally.
While I was taking attendance this student suddenly blurts out something. Everyone in the room looks at him. Now, this student is well liked and respected. But everyone is very quiet and looking at him.
It turns out the town this rally was to take place in was his hometown, and one of the organizers had his last name; which I completely missed. His classmates asked him, “Are you related?” And of course the answer was, “No.”
You can imagine what a jerk I felt like. I have not had the chance to speak with him but will do so soon.
Interesting post. I’ve had a number of exchange students from Germany in my classes over the years and my wife is from Germany. Look at this as an opportunity. Keep in mind that German students spend a great deal of time on WWII so you may find that this student can offer a unique perspective that both you and your students will profit from. I know I did.
For all those interested in history and its link to today’s most difficult problems,
DO have a look at my wonderful new book … “A Shattered Peace: Versailles 1919 and the Price We Pay Today” [ http://www.ashatteredpeace.com ] just out from Wiley and available at Amazon and most major bookstores !
Spread the word !!
cheers,
David
david@ashatteredpeace.com
p.s. I am happy to talk with any class in history or political science in person or by speakerphone or video hookup!
David I will do that, does the publisher do review copies? Would love to read it to review…