The reason so many hate history class is that incompetent teachers ‘teach’ it as only a list of names, dates, and places instead of teaching not only what happen but why in happen and what it caused to happen.
They say no knowledge is wasted. You never know, Calvin, maybe someday you’ll be on a game show and this question will come up and you’ll win a lot of money!
Years ago, I was in a restaurant where, at another table, a man was spouting American history to his elderly father and his teenage son. There were inaccuracies, but I kept quiet—until the man said that the Pilgrims landed in 1745. Well, that was too much, and I blurted out “1620!”
As they were leaving, the grandfather thanked me.
So you see, Calvin—there IS a benefit to learning trivia, LOL.
I managed to get an education and be successful despite my formal ‘education’. But I got degrees in the formal education by manipulating the system because you need them to get employment in my field.
Except that the rock in question is not mentioned anywhere in the records left by the puritan colonists. The earliest source identifying the rock as the landing site was from a man who was not old enough to have witnessed the event in question.
I’ve always loved history. All history amounts to, is the study of human nature. If you pay attention, your can predict the future, because human nature is very predictable.
My art history classes in college finally took me beyond the dates etc and showed what was going on in people’s lives during past times. And of course lit classes as well.
towards the end of High school my friends had pretty good relations with many teachers. we got away with a lot of BS because we did the work and knew the answers.
The high point was when a history teacher came up to us at lunch and said “You’re randy’s friends right?” yes. “Tell him to drop my class, he needs a 105 on the final just to pass.”
Since very few events in history are one-offs, dates are important to maintain a timeline and get a better understanding of how and why “stuff” happens. And “stuff” means everything worth noting.
To breathe interest in the past and real awareness of how things came to be in the present, and all along the way, check out the British TV show, Connections with James Burke.
Mrs. Clay, my Junior High history teacher presented history as a living and active story, not a dry, rote memorization of facts. She instilled in me an enjoyment of history which has lasted until today.
I did well in history in school, but not by memorizing dates. I always felt that we teach history inside put and upside down.
Let’s first study how and why things happened, and then fill in when they happened after we actually understand what happened.
Which of these is more interesting:
My great grandfather came to this country with only the clothes on his back. He believed in working hard. He got a job in the garment district, and worked his way up to owning a textile mill. That mill led to an entire line of clothing still popular to this day. He saw America as a land of opportunity, and he build on that. He raised a large family, who have made many contributions to this land.
or
My great grandfather came to this country on March 11th, 1902.
I don’t remember that factoid, but then again, I’m from Canada. At the time I was Calvin’s age, we were finding out about a settler who was considered a hero for getting drunk and falling off his roof.
Joke is on Calvin. He will tell this story of how he outsmarted the teacher until he is so old he will have forgotten to forget that the Pilgrims landed in 1620.
I’ve learned much more history since I left school. 1066, Normans win a battle and William becomes king. Well lot more to it than that. Such as the Normans, were the North Men or Viking ancestors.
I did something similar on a test and even though I got the answer right, the teacher marked it as wrong because she did not like my remark about how the Jack Parr Show was very, very old in 1981…I wouldn’t be surprised if Ms. Wormwood marked Calvin’s answer wrong, too.
Had a well-traveled Ancient History professor in undergrad who actually visited all those ancient places in Rome, Greece, Egypt, Mesopotamia, etc… He used a lot of slides and background on those places and civilizations. One of the few college professors I had who brought the subject to “life”.
Taking the time to write that thoughtful note took away from the time you needed to answer all the rest to pass the test.. No wonder you were stuck in her class for so long
I hated history when I was in school mainly because I could not relate to it.
Now I believe that we teach history the wrong way: we look BACK at it. We read the end of the book and we know all the spoilers and no matter how many times Hitler attacks the Soviet Union, he still loses.
Instead we need to build a mental time machine and transport ourselves to the place and time of the event. Then look FORWARD through history at the events that are unfolding around us. It not only gives us a better sense of what happened, but it also gives us an uncanny uneasiness about current events particularly if you find your historic placement in 1930’s Europe.
I also use this same technique for Bible Study. I often place myself as a first century Jew in the Galilee and this wandering band of preachers come into town …
Or I’m the Roman governor who’s disenchanted with this backwater posting in the Empire whose residents are revolting in both senses of the word. Then this collaborator known as the high priest, for whom I have nothing but contempt, but he’s necessary to keep the peasantry under control, comes up to me and wants ME to solve a problem with one of HIS troublemakers.
BE THIS GUY 9 months ago
Manipulating the system is an important survival skill – Mrs. Wormwood has done her job well.
codycab 9 months ago
You memorized this question, but what about the others?
dadthedawg Premium Member 9 months ago
Like the song says, “Plymouth Rock landed on them”…..
JïllDérs(TOMGF) 9 months ago
Was he close? I don’t think so. I think Calvin guessed there.
oldpine52 9 months ago
The reason so many hate history class is that incompetent teachers ‘teach’ it as only a list of names, dates, and places instead of teaching not only what happen but why in happen and what it caused to happen.
hariseldon59 9 months ago
I memorized that as a kid and still remember it today. Meanwhile I can’t remember the name of someone I was introduced to a few minutes ago.
Macushlalondra 9 months ago
They say no knowledge is wasted. You never know, Calvin, maybe someday you’ll be on a game show and this question will come up and you’ll win a lot of money!
snsurone76 9 months ago
Years ago, I was in a restaurant where, at another table, a man was spouting American history to his elderly father and his teenage son. There were inaccuracies, but I kept quiet—until the man said that the Pilgrims landed in 1745. Well, that was too much, and I blurted out “1620!”
As they were leaving, the grandfather thanked me.
So you see, Calvin—there IS a benefit to learning trivia, LOL.
Bilan 9 months ago
That was actually a big mistake on Calvin’s part. He showed that he can learn.
Jayalexander 9 months ago
If memorizing and regurgitation is all school is about. How come I still remember the times tables and find it useful almost everyday?
Jaddis 9 months ago
I managed to get an education and be successful despite my formal ‘education’. But I got degrees in the formal education by manipulating the system because you need them to get employment in my field.
dlkrueger33 9 months ago
If you’re ever on Jeopardy, this tidbit could come in handy!
Mediatech 9 months ago
Except that the rock in question is not mentioned anywhere in the records left by the puritan colonists. The earliest source identifying the rock as the landing site was from a man who was not old enough to have witnessed the event in question.
cracker65 9 months ago
I’ve always loved history. All history amounts to, is the study of human nature. If you pay attention, your can predict the future, because human nature is very predictable.
NoDice 9 months ago
I’ve been teaching since 1982 and can attest to Calvin’s statement about the lousy pay. It is something I love greatly, though.
Guybrush Threepwood 9 months ago
He’s not wrong.
Procat Premium Member 9 months ago
I learned something today, like Calvin I will forget it soon.
mfrasca 9 months ago
History is stories, not memorizing dates.
jagedlo 9 months ago
“I intend to forget it forever because I never plan on being on ‘Jeopardy’…”
Nighthawks Premium Member 9 months ago
1066—-has been entrenched in my memory banks since grade school (65 years ago) as the date of the battle of Hastings.
I have no memory of WHAT the battle of Hastings was about or who were the combatants
RussellCastine 9 months ago
So, if Calvin somehow made it onto Jeopardy and the clue was “It’s the year when the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock”…
Snolep 9 months ago
My art history classes in college finally took me beyond the dates etc and showed what was going on in people’s lives during past times. And of course lit classes as well.
Troglodyte 9 months ago
I’d love to know Miss Wormwood’s thoughts on this brilliant observation! :D
SquidGamerGal 9 months ago
Umm, Calvin… You may want to keep that to yourself…
PaulAbbott2 9 months ago
I felt the same way about Algebra. I have yet to use the Quadratic Equation in real life
PlatudimusAtom Premium Member 9 months ago
Unfortunately satisfaction doesn’t pay the mortgage or put food on the table.
FredBurr 9 months ago
“History does not repeat itself, but it sometimes rhymes.”
Egrayjames 9 months ago
It’s funny….I swear Calvin reads my mind sometimes.
dflak 9 months ago
At what airport did they land?
Wizard of Ahz-no relation 9 months ago
towards the end of High school my friends had pretty good relations with many teachers. we got away with a lot of BS because we did the work and knew the answers.
The high point was when a history teacher came up to us at lunch and said “You’re randy’s friends right?” yes. “Tell him to drop my class, he needs a 105 on the final just to pass.”
rmercer Premium Member 9 months ago
“I see that my work here is done. Now go into the world and for heaven’s sake make more than I do….”
joegeethree 9 months ago
Since very few events in history are one-offs, dates are important to maintain a timeline and get a better understanding of how and why “stuff” happens. And “stuff” means everything worth noting.
The Hatchback of Notre Dame 9 months ago
To breathe interest in the past and real awareness of how things came to be in the present, and all along the way, check out the British TV show, Connections with James Burke.
To quote Mister (not Doctor) Spock: Fascinating.
Just-me 9 months ago
Mrs. Clay, my Junior High history teacher presented history as a living and active story, not a dry, rote memorization of facts. She instilled in me an enjoyment of history which has lasted until today.
Thomas Scott Roberts creator 9 months ago
I did well in history in school, but not by memorizing dates. I always felt that we teach history inside put and upside down.
Let’s first study how and why things happened, and then fill in when they happened after we actually understand what happened.
Which of these is more interesting:
My great grandfather came to this country with only the clothes on his back. He believed in working hard. He got a job in the garment district, and worked his way up to owning a textile mill. That mill led to an entire line of clothing still popular to this day. He saw America as a land of opportunity, and he build on that. He raised a large family, who have made many contributions to this land.
or
My great grandfather came to this country on March 11th, 1902.
uniquename 9 months ago
Unfortunately, too many people took the cynical manipulation lessons to heart.
bloodykate 9 months ago
Hilarious!
eLLuoresima 9 months ago
When I was six years old the only thing I could spell correctly was my name
BiggerNate91 9 months ago
This unlocked a childhood memory of trying to replicate Calvin’s handwriting style. It was surprisingly a lot of work.
French Persons Premium Member 9 months ago
Education isn’t cheap, but ignorance will cost you a whole lot more.
ladykat 9 months ago
I don’t remember that factoid, but then again, I’m from Canada. At the time I was Calvin’s age, we were finding out about a settler who was considered a hero for getting drunk and falling off his roof.
Sir Isaac 9 months ago
They would have you believe that when America began except that St. Augustine was already over 50 years old by then.
BRBurns1960 9 months ago
Joke is on Calvin. He will tell this story of how he outsmarted the teacher until he is so old he will have forgotten to forget that the Pilgrims landed in 1620.
NeedaChuckle Premium Member 9 months ago
I’ve learned much more history since I left school. 1066, Normans win a battle and William becomes king. Well lot more to it than that. Such as the Normans, were the North Men or Viking ancestors.
cellist 9 months ago
And smart Calvin … can you explain why your desk shrunk from the 2nd picture to the 4th ;-) ?
Rise22 9 months ago
I taught History and still have students (who are grandparents now) keep in touch to let me know how interesting my classes were….
Sonik 9 months ago
that is so true
gantech 9 months ago
Spock: I never met John Gill, but I studied Earth history from the text he prepared.
Kirk: I knew him very well. He was my instructor at the Academy.
Spock: What impressed me most was his treatment of Earth history as causes and motivations rather than dates and events.
californicated1 9 months ago
I did something similar on a test and even though I got the answer right, the teacher marked it as wrong because she did not like my remark about how the Jack Parr Show was very, very old in 1981…I wouldn’t be surprised if Ms. Wormwood marked Calvin’s answer wrong, too.
mistercatworks 9 months ago
Congratulations! Lesson learned. Manipulating various system is what education is all about.
Maybe you will remember, later in life, that it happened in the early 17th century.
Old27F20 9 months ago
Ahh yes, I can see Cal’s future, 2nd shift assistant manager at Flip-O-Burger…or a lawyer.
tony_n_jen2003 9 months ago
I called an ex girlfriend Plymouth Rock. Body like a Plymouth and a head like a rock.
g04922 9 months ago
Had a well-traveled Ancient History professor in undergrad who actually visited all those ancient places in Rome, Greece, Egypt, Mesopotamia, etc… He used a lot of slides and background on those places and civilizations. One of the few college professors I had who brought the subject to “life”.
thjunk55Howard 9 months ago
Agreed
tammyspeakslife Premium Member 9 months ago
Taking the time to write that thoughtful note took away from the time you needed to answer all the rest to pass the test.. No wonder you were stuck in her class for so long
rt50484 9 months ago
Tell the story of history. Teach kids to read so that if they are interested they can read about the minutiae.
circleM 9 months ago
I know this strip is old but do they even teach history anymore?
Paul D Premium Member 9 months ago
“When I look back on all the c**p I learned in high school . . . "
dflak 9 months ago
I hated history when I was in school mainly because I could not relate to it.
Now I believe that we teach history the wrong way: we look BACK at it. We read the end of the book and we know all the spoilers and no matter how many times Hitler attacks the Soviet Union, he still loses.
Instead we need to build a mental time machine and transport ourselves to the place and time of the event. Then look FORWARD through history at the events that are unfolding around us. It not only gives us a better sense of what happened, but it also gives us an uncanny uneasiness about current events particularly if you find your historic placement in 1930’s Europe.
dflak 9 months ago
I also use this same technique for Bible Study. I often place myself as a first century Jew in the Galilee and this wandering band of preachers come into town …
Or I’m the Roman governor who’s disenchanted with this backwater posting in the Empire whose residents are revolting in both senses of the word. Then this collaborator known as the high priest, for whom I have nothing but contempt, but he’s necessary to keep the peasantry under control, comes up to me and wants ME to solve a problem with one of HIS troublemakers.
Brian Premium Member 9 months ago
While on a trip to New England, we went to see Plymouth Rock. It was surprisingly small. I gather that over the years, a lot of it disappeared.
hagarthehorrible 9 months ago
Calvin seems to have the knack to press on the underside of all professionals. And he rubs it in as well.
Otis Rufus Driftwood 9 months ago
Calvin has learned the wrong lesson. Again.
wiley207 9 months ago
Still just a tad advanced for first grade. Though I didn’t learn about that historic event until second grade, and it’s stuck with me since.