SS #60: History as a Center Cannot Hold (with Angelina Stanford!)
Oct 11, 2019
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Angelina Stanford, a passionate educator with over twenty-five years in literature, joins the conversation to challenge traditional homeschooling methods. They tackle the complex role of history in education, sharing insights on how to effectively engage children through literature. Angelia discusses the transformative nature of reading, the importance of moral clarity in children's stories, and the need for flexibility in educational frameworks. Their humorous anecdotes about learning Latin add a light touch to this thought-provoking discussion on classical education.
History should not dominate the curriculum; instead, a balanced approach that values literature enriches the educational experience.
Quality literature is vital for children's development; it is essential to offer age-appropriate texts that resonate with their emotional maturity.
Wonder-led education encourages students to explore their interests, fostering genuine curiosity and deeper connections with literature and history.
Deep dives
Balancing History and Literature in Education
The discussion emphasizes that while history plays a significant role in education, it should not be the sole focus or organizing principle. Overemphasis on historical context can lead to a rigid curriculum that restricts the balance of literature and other subjects. This approach favors a harmonious integration where subjects interconnect without forcing rigid ties to historical timelines. It's argued that literature also deserves its own space, allowing students to encounter stories as transformative experiences rather than mere historical artifacts.
The Importance of Engaging with Good Literature
Engaging with quality literature is highlighted as essential for children's development, with the suggestion that students should read texts suitable for their age and maturity instead of fitting them into a predetermined historical framework. The conversation stresses the importance of allowing children to explore stories that resonate with their current experiences and emotional maturity. This choice encourages a genuine love for reading and literature, fostering deep connections with the texts they engage with. Historical fiction can still hold value, but not at the expense of age-appropriate literature that nurtures children's understanding.
The Role of Wonder in Learning
The conversation points out that wonder-led education is crucial for nurturing curiosity and engagement with learning. Rather than constricting lessons to a specific historical period, educators are encouraged to allow children's interests to guide their explorations. This approach can lead to richer learning experiences where students feel free to dive deeper into subjects that intrigue them, leading to genuine curiosity and inquiry. The educators advocate for a broad engagement with literature and history that inspires wonder and encourages students to form their own connections among various texts and themes.
The Complexity of Teaching History
Teaching history involves recognizing its complexities and presenting it not just as a series of dates and events but as the story of people and civilizations. The need to honor the narrative and biographical aspects of history helps students understand the human experience, fostering a greater appreciation of historical contexts. The discussion indicates that myths and historical narratives coexist, enriching our understanding of different cultures and their values. Acknowledging this complexity can lead to deeper discussions about morality, humanity, and the lessons history offers.
Cultural Context in Literature and Its Implications
The importance of cultural context when teaching literature and history is underscored, particularly in how stories reflect societal values and moral lessons. An effective education honors both the nature of the subjects and the developmental stages of students, guiding them to recognize the interplay between literature and their lives. Children are encouraged to explore literature that fosters discernment between good and evil, which is critical as they grow. The dialogue emphasizes that this understanding is essential not only for academic learning but also for shaping a nuanced perspective on their culture and history.
Our guest today is the lovely and delightfully controversial Angelina Stanford. Angelina has an Honors Baccalaureate Degree and a Master’s Degree in English Literature from the University of Louisiana. For over twenty-five years, she has shared her passion and enthusiasm for literature with students in a variety of settings — everywhere from university classrooms to homeschool co-ops to homeschooling her own three children. You can find Angelina at angelinastanford.com where she teaches online literature classes for middle school through adult, as well as webinars and short term classes. She had a big summer, launching The Literary Life Podcast with her longtime friend Cindy Rollns., and in June she married her very own poet. Angelina lives quite happily in a honeymoon cottage in North Carolina, tracking down rare books and inspiring poetry.
In today’s episode, Brandy read Angelina a quote from herself on teaching history from last time she was on the show – she cause quite a ruckus with this one. Then, Brandy and Mystie asked her to defend herself. What resulted was a truly amazing conversation!
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Don’t forget to download Your Scholé Sheet to think through and apply the ideas from this episode, then bring your thoughts into the Sistership and join the conversation happening there. Click here to download your copy for free.
