Upper School History Update

I am sure that others might find reasons to disagree, but I have enjoyed Trinity going to trimesters.  Instead of hustling to prepare for finals as Christmas approaches, students and teachers alike can be a lot more relaxed and enjoy the unfolding of the season. At the start of the second trimester U.S. History classes had the opportunity to show the film classic, It’s A Wonderful Life. 

History classes lend themselves to discussions about the importance of good character.   It is important for students to examine why we behave as we do and to analyze the decisions that shape our lives.  From a history teacher’s point of view, this movie allows me to introduce students to the flu epidemic of 1919, the Great Depression, and some of WWII.  It also offers a chance to focus on some of the character traits that drive our actions.  We watch the film and try to make note of instances when the characters exhibit positive citizenship.  We are looking for compassion, courage, diligence, fairness, honesty, integrity, respect, or responsibility.   I am sure that many of you know the plot.  George finds himself wishing that he had never been born and he is forced to see the place and people that he loves without his influence. The message is that every man’s life matters.  I hope that students will apply this to their life and realize that they matter to others as well.  Every person’s life affects those around them.  Each of our students has a chance to contribute positively to the lives and well being of many others.

Trinity also has a focus on movies in the class, World History Through Film, this trimester.  Mr. Midkiff covers a broad span of time from the Roman occupation of the Middle East through current events.  Students in this class see six films and analyze them by focusing on intellectual trends, revolutionary movements, social interactions, political ideologies, economic theories, and geographical impacts.  By mid-February students will have grappled with complex topics like the Crusades, nationalism, imperialism, fascism, genocide, and the atomic bomb.  It seems that the second trimester lends itself to history classes using movies to explore the Trinity Core Competency to “embody character.”

Terry Little 

History & Social Science Academic Leader