Reflections on A history of US:Colonies to Country, 1735-1791; Hakim

Wow is all I can say on how well this author met the needs of the whole brain by incorporating left brain and right brain learners.    Her text was attention getting , interesting, upside down, humorous, and emotionally engaging which right brain learners thrive and are very engaged.  The left brain learners enjoyed the particular layout and throughout the pages she included maps, charts, diagrams, and cartoons.  Her pages were very easy to read and with such a variety she met the needs for all learners.

I found her statements about the lack of women in history books very interesting.  She mentions the importance women played throughout history by lack of acknowledgements that women are accredited for.  I never heard of Eliza Pinckney and the importance she played in developing South Carolina. She seemed to be an amazing woman who knew the importance of a good education and  believed all people had the right to learn as she educated two black girls so they would teach the slaves.  Her insight and motivation is very inspiring.  I plan to teach more about important women role models as well as men in my classroom.  Most of the leaders I do teach in Kindergarten are mostly men:  Christopher Columbus, George Washington; Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks.  I will definitely need to research and include more women as I teach History in the future.

Another important concept I will incorporate into my lessons will be to continue to set goals and try new things if something does not go well or is not enjoyed.  For instance,  Patrick Henry was a failure at first and had many attempts until he found his talent.  With years of knowledge and passion Patrick Henry was a very successful man.  He started out as a storekeeper and then attempted to be a planter.  He was unsuccessful at both so next he studied law and was a great speaker so he entered politics.  Children need to know that famous people worked hard and were not always successful.  Also, Benjamin Franklin started penniless and with hard work and a lot of determination he was a very successful inventor.

I learned that George Washington knew that a law was needed to end slavery because men would not give up wealth and property.  It was very interesting to me that he was against slavery but had slaves.  However, in the event of his death his slaves would be freed.   I never knew that George Washington accepted to be General without pay.  His expenses were paid but no salary.  These details make learning about History so much more meaningful and illustrates the character of these  great leaders.

I often say that doing the right thing is not always the most popular way.  However, if your best interest is for the students then you are doing the right thing.  I learned that John Adams always did what he thought was best for the nation- not what would make him popular at home.  I found this amusing and interesting that I have the same philosophy with my students and our district.  Sometimes being in leadership roles we need to make hard decisions that are not always the most popular but in the  best interest of our students.

Hakim's imagery of words is phenomenal.  I was enthralled in the text reliving scenes and thinking about what I would do in certain situations.  She had you actively engaged while reading.  For example, on page 91 when the American soldiers were told to "wait until you see the whites of their eyes," to shoot.  How can you not visualize how close and the pounding of your heart as the enemy approached you.    She also used words of how people might have spoken.  In the one sentence instead of using the word hung she said hanged.  I could envision the soldier speaking in those terms.  She also did a great job describing scenes and particular events.  When in New York they made 4,000 pounds of lead from the George 111 statue to make 42,000 bullets for battle.  It was if I was right there.   The question what would you have done if you were a person of color in Philadelphia at that time?  I needed to stop and think for a moment before reading on which I would have done.  With my personality and wasn't hard to select my choice.  I would have been a Patriot.  My loyalties would have been with Thomas Jefferson that "all men are created equal".  I would like to think that I would have seen the bigger picture and thought about everyone and just not myself.  I like how Hakim describes the 18th century as a ladder where everyone had their own rung.  Very interesting and profound statement.

I give my 5th grade elementary teacher, Mr. Mark Hagenbough credit for doing an amazing job in Social Studies.  As soon as I read the words "Give me Liberty, or Give me Death"  Patrick Henry came to mind.  I also heard the words to the song 50 Nifty United States from 13 Originals Colonies caming flashing back.  Hats off to you for making my schooling fun and memorable.

Her book is a very interesting take on History.  I will remember facts and I'm able to form my own opinions based on her words and details in her books.