History

History may be a subject about the past but the Glenwood Boys have realized that the reason we look back on the past is to better equip us for the future. In our history lessons we find it very easy to make sure that our subject is topical and relevant. The South African government’s recent crackdown on credit spending and the determination to keep inflation low at the expense of interest rates links directly to our studies of the Great Depression and the Wall Street Crash of 1929. The current crises in various countries, particularly the attitudes of those dictatorships in terms of their leadership style, can be linked to themes from our studies of Stalinism, Nazism and apartheid South Africa. The eagerness of America to go to war in Afghanistan and Iraq was questioned by the boys after their studies of WW2, when it became obvious to them that war is a dangerous business, not to be taken lightly. True students of history begin to realize that although technology changes the world, social relations and the basic questions about rights, citizenship and social order never changes. From history we can avoid the mistakes of the past as well as draw from previous successes.

Under the FET the teaching methods in Grade 10 to 12 have changed quite substantially. History had a reputation for being the “learning subject”, where children were spoon-fed “all those names and dates” and was the expected to regurgitate them in the exam based education this was never entirely accurate and under outcome based education nothing could be further from the truth. Extended writing is still required and learning is essential, but the focus is not on how much can be remembered but much more on the quality of the arguments made and the learner’s ability to use the facts to make broader connections. Much more time is spent evaluating historical sources. The boys are taught the skills of analysis and interpretation and how to read reports with a critical eye. A skilled historian will learn the difference between fact and opinion, how to identify bias and how to do their own research. These skills equip boys as historians, but lessons can also be learnt about how to interpret news broadcasts, party political statements and anything produced by the media. History teaches them not just to ask questions, but which questions to ask.

If nothing else the boys will all find that when they move out into the wide world they will be advantaged by having taken the best subject there is, the subject that is about life…History.

The attitudes and values that underpin the content prepare boys to apply this to their lives and contribute to the transformation of society. If we teach History well, it should promote non-discrimination, raise debates issues and address current social and environmental concerns. History is an excellent preparation for the world of work. Society needs people who are independent, open-minded thinkers who are good at problem solving. In short: History is fun!