The Knowledge Matters Podcast

Bonus Episode: History Matters: A case for teaching history in elementary school | Robert Pondiscio

10 snips
Sep 30, 2025
Join Robert Pondiscio, author and former fifth-grade teacher, as he passionately advocates for revitalizing history education in elementary schools. He shares how his early fascination with history was stifled by educational policies that prioritize tested subjects over knowledge. Pondiscio argues that understanding history is vital for reading comprehension and civic engagement. With a call for a collective shift towards a knowledge-building curriculum, he highlights the importance of historical context in fostering informed citizens. Tune in for compelling insights!
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ANECDOTE

Dinosaurs Answer Revealed A Gap

  • Robert Pondiscio recalls asking fifth graders what they'd see looking out a window 100 years ago and hearing only silence then “dinosaurs.”
  • The moment revealed students' lack of sense of historical time and sparked his passion for teaching history.
ANECDOTE

PD Moment That Changed A Teacher

  • Robert recounts a PD titled “No More Trivial Pursuit” where the principal dismissed teaching the War of 1812.
  • That experience convinced him essential questions fail without factual historical knowledge.
INSIGHT

Testing Shift Shrunk Curriculum

  • No Child Left Behind narrowed many schools' focus to tested reading and math at the expense of other subjects.
  • Robert observed students who could decode text but lacked comprehension from missing background knowledge.
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