From Knowledge to Opinions & Beyond

Writing research a paper is something that every highschool student has to go through, however, this year I felt I was able to turn an onerous activity into a genuine learning experience. In the first, I was able to create a stellar (in my opinion) thesis on Hidalgo & Morelos, and connect their characteristics with the leadership qualities of the ideal leader. The second essay was bit more difficult for me for I had to create love letters between two Russian lovers of the early 1900's and 1910's, one of which was a Bolshevik follower, while the other a citizen of a rioting industrial city. In a way I guess I mastered the process of creating characters, but from there I had no idea where to go. 

Research -- a beginning step to creating a paper -- came into play, and I had to dig deep. Collecting research material is tough, and I still have trouble finding the exact information I have my mind set on. Throughout the year though, I was able to improve on my techniques in acquiring research information by taking advantage of our school's library and the databases that our school website houses. With my paper, I had to point out the specific information I would need, and turn it into my own words, but the research is pointless without the most important component -- being a historian.

When writing, I try to think of each non-factual sentence as a mini-thesis. All of these sentences are opinions, and I feel that this year was a year for opinions for me. No offense to world religions, but you cannot have an opinion in that class without being pegged by the political correctness police. Throughout this year, and especially in the blogs, I was able to express my opinions in a scholarly environment, which will be helpful for next year. The blog was like a database of its own. From it gushed facts and the writers interpretation of those facts. Every class should have some type of public display like our class blog, because lets be honest, we should have outgrown the "I am self-conscious about my writing" phase after this year in history. 

To A block, you guys are awesome. I am intimidated by how much knowledge you guys have, and how energetic you guys are at all times. I hope to be your classmate again next year. Great year in history on the whole. 

Looking Back

I have always considered history to be an important subject because, in my mind, there are not many things that are more educational than knowledge of the past as a foundation for the present. This philosophy, however, has been difficult to maintain because history is typically taught in a way that is extremely difficult for me to grasp and enjoy. This apprehension was ramified when Mama Pugs took charge of the class. With Mrs. Gertmenian, I was sure to endure another year of drowning in history. I learned a ton under Mama Pug's tutelage, in fact i wanted to learn in her class. My participation improved because I actually understood what she was asking us and I wanted to jump in and contribute.

I used to think of history as linear and one dimensional, but this year, I learned that history is still widely open to interpretation. I learned how to write opinion pieces about history, which was enjoyable because it gave me something to explore and taught me to be interpretive. I believe I have a better handle on the present better because I know a bit about the events that brought us here.

What is really cool, is that I find myself reaching for the New York Times, which didn't happen that often before we started blogging and writing on current events. I feel a desire to be informed. I used to avoid books that had historical foundation, but now I am not afraid to tackle them because i have a bearing as to where to put that information in my mind. I know this class was worth my time, and an asset to my future as a writer.

I owe all my enthusiasm for history to Mama Pugs: thanx for an amazing second semester!

A Final Toast

This has been an amazing year for me. History started out not so well, but this second semester has been incredible. As I look back, feeling more than a touch nostalgic, I realize I learned far more than I thought I did. And what I learned wasn’t just facts, like so often I feel history is. History has never been the most engaging class for me, because my experience of it up to date has been a class made mostly of memorizing dates and facts, with the occasional exercise that involves thinking and making connections. But this semester forced me to rethink my impression of history.
I have been forced to think in new ways, to make connections and see patterns hidden in the layers of facts. I learned how to write both analytically and from the heart, so that I care about what I’m saying enough to put true thought behind it. This is probably the first year I have consistently found history to be an engaging, challenging, and most importantly, interesting. So many classes over the years, and so few I remember. It is never the material that defines a class, it is always the teacher. And when you look back you realize that it is the teachers who make you want to learn a subject, who plant seeds and ideas in your mind, who make you redefine just a little part of how you view the world; those are the ones you remember. I have been blessed with a few teachers like that.
My fourth grade Jewish studies teacher Alona who taught us history from archeologist’s points of view, while showing us how to make olive oil for lamps and how archeologists piece together the pieces of a broken pot. My 8th grade science teacher, Mike, who showed that science was in the real world and not in textbooks. Last year’s English teacher, Bourbon, who opened my eyes to a whole new level of thinking, and for whom I will never be able to view a movie the same way again.

Now there is one another name to add to the list.

Here’s to you, Mama Pugs. You made this year count.

Improvements

Well, This year didn't start out too well. Whether it was Ms. Gertmenian or Ms. Pugliese who graded me in the first quarter I will never know, but one thing I do know is that I didn't do so well. Interestingly enough however that was not a trend that continued on for the whole year. I got increasingly better at writing and articulating my thoughts. I think that the unusual way that this class was tought really hepled me connect the past and the present. By jumping from the Safavids to the Swat valley I was able to start to see connectinos that I didn't see before this year. Mama Pugs- Thanks for a great year...

The Most Important Thing I Learned

The most important thing I learned this year is that there is more to a history class than just dates and events.  I improved my ability to make connections between different historical events, which has allowed me to see many things in a new light.  I thought this class was very fun, and I learned a lot.

How I've Changed

This year's history class has been a lot of fun.  To go with the plethora of historic dates and names that we have been forced to mindlessly memorized, I have taken some important lessons about the subject of history and myself.

I heard recently that "History is not the old stuff in textbooks, but how we look at it."  This has taken on a huge meaning in our class this year.  On a very annoyingly ironic note, we studied old civilizations with a blog, something completely foreign, if not unimaginable, to the people we're talking about.  But more seriously, our class has taken some creative ways of looking at the past.  We played a weird version of Risk to explain the Cold War.  We made a movie to look at the Muslim Empires, China, and Europe.  We did a ton of cool stuff that probably makes no sense, but it helped us learn.  That was an amazing realization to me, because as well as being more effective at interacting with the material, it helped me learn to love history more than I did at the beginning of the year.

To go with this bountiful enjoyment, I believe that my writing style has improved and I have learned more about research papers (e.g. don't procrastinate!!!!!)  I'm sure these will be useful in RUSH next year.

Most importantly, I learned a lot about my classmates and myself.  For example, I make a lot of annoying, smart-ass comments.  Like a LOT.  But I also found that some teachers aren't totally against that, as long as it's relevant, and I can let my sarcastic side contribute to a discussion instead of taking away from it.

What I've learned this year in History:

First, I learned (started to learn at least) the balance between messing around in class (influencing the "back corner") and focusing and being extremely attentive in class. There are times when you can "mess" around in class. You can still joke around in class and still learn the material of the class and not be too disruptive.

Second, I have learned a lot about gathering and using evidence in essays (and any other writing like on the blog) this year. I need to come up with the evidence then write my thesis and not do it the other way around, because then my thesis will probably be lacking.

Third, I have learned a lot about research. Research isn't just about using wikipedia for all of my information. Research is about getting reputable sources and coming up with my own ideas, not just the easiest ideas to write about because all of the evidence is in front of me.