Students Take a Stand

What happens when someone tries to remove civil disorder from our country’s history lessons? Civil disorder, of course! Read this story of how students in Jefferson County, Colorado walked out of class recently to protest proposed changes to their AP history curriculum. Then use these questions (which we’ve grouped into age categories, although you know your children best)  to ignite a discussion—just keep it civil, please!

For ages 3-7

• Think of a rule you would like to change at home, school or in the world. How would you propose to change it?
• Why is it important to learn about history?
• Do you have a say in what you learn at school?
• Share something you know about American history.

For ages 8-100

• Do you think these students did the right thing? Why or why not?
• Have you ever protested for or against something? What was it? What happened?
• What does censorship mean? Have you ever felt censored? How?
• In the article, a student says, “The negative parts of American history aren’t necessarily unpatriotic. We need to know these things so we don’t repeat them…” What do you think he means by this?
• Can you think of a movie or a book that demonstrates how people standing up for what they believe in resulted in a change?

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