GRADE VII THE UNITED STATES AND THE WORLD1 BY FANNIE FERN ANDREWS INTRODUCTION LIBERTY'S LATEST DAUGHTER® BAYARD TAYLOR FORESEEN in the vision of sages, Nor shame of bondage has bowed her head. The Quaker truth and sweetness, And the strength of the danger-girdled race Justice that knew no station, Belief as soul decreed, The lists of books given under the various topics, both in this grade and in Grade VIII, are not intended to represent a complete bibliography. They are chiefly those used in the preparation of the work. From Manual of Patriotism, published by the New York Board of Education. Free air for aspiration, Free force for independent deed. As the sea returns the rivers in rain; From the hunted of every crown and creed. Is planted England's oaken-hearted mood, As e'er went world-ward from the island wall. To one strong race all races here unite; Forget their sword and slogan, kith and clan. "T was glory once to be a Roman; She makes it glory now to be a man. The object in this grade is to throw light on those elements of our civilization which can be traced back to ancient and medieval life; to point out the motives for discovery and colonization; and to show how all these seeds, taking root in American soil, developed the Republic of the United States. Our further aim is to emphasize that since the birth of the Union, its life has been intertwined with world movements; that, in fact, through the great streams of immigration, Europeans have played a large part in developing our resources and in moulding our national ideals. We have attempted to show also that with its historical background and unique mixture of peoples, the United States is peculiarly fitted to take a leading part in world activity; that this is especially true in those movements of civilization which are guided by the principles of liberty and justice. World brotherhood is but the expansion of American faith. The realization of our ideals will keep pace with our conception of the special mission of the United States in the progress of civilization. SEPTEMBER: OUR BEGINNINGS IN EUROPE THE PILGRIM FATHERS1 JOHN BOYLE O'REILLY Here, on this rock, and on this sterile soil, Here centuries sank, and from the hither brink, Here struck the seed- the Pilgrims' roofless town, Where doom was writ of privilege and crown; Where human breath blew all the idols down; Where crests were naught, where vulture flags were furled, And common men began to own the world! 1 From Life and Complete Poems of John Boyle O'Reilly, edited by Mrs. John Boyle O'Reilly. Cassell & Co. The topics for discussion suggested below are condensed from the sixth grade outline of the History Committee of the American School Peace League, which in turn is based on the outline prepared by the Committee of Eight for the same grade. The latter is also largely drawn upon in the selection and arrangement of topics, and the appended bibliography includes many of the books given in the Report of the Committee of Eight. The treatment of this topic at this time not only carries out the logical sequence of our Course in Citizenship, but gives an opportunity for a brief review of the sixth grade history by those teachers who are working with the outline of the Committee of Eight. In any case, this treatment will prove a healthy background for the history work of the seventh and eighth grades. Under this topic, the teacher has a rich opportunity to show what America started from. Children can understand something of the civilization which formed the background of our early discoverers, and will in consequence appreciate more intelligently the achievements of later generations. The impression can be vividly made that Americans started with many ways of living known to the Greeks, Romans, and the people of the Middle Ages. Topics for discussion 1. What Americans started with. When Columbus discovered America, the people of the world had learned to make houses, boats, bows, hatchets, ploughs, and spinning-wheels. They had also invented the alphabet. Before the Pilgrims came, the compass, gunpowder, and printing were invented. How did the compass stimulate exploration? What use was made of gunpowder by the early settlers? How did the printing-press stimulate learning? 2. What the Greeks have taught us. Hero worship. Some of the heroes they tried to imitate; tell the story of Jason and the Golden Fleece. Siege of Troy. Wanderings of Ulysses. Artistic skill. Athens, the most splendid of ancient Greek cities. Explain what the Acropolis was and what the Parthenon was used for. Greek art the standard to-day. Respect for a perfect body. - The Greeks believed that a beautiful body indicated a beautiful soul. What were the Olympic games and what were the rewards of the victor? What are the modern Olympics? - The principles of democracy. In the Athenian democracy, what great truth did the Greeks first teach the world? What did Pericles teach? For what do we remember Socrates? Read: Teachers' List: Pericles, Evelyn Abbot. G. P. Putnam's Sons. Three Greek Children, Alfred J. Church. G. P. Putnam's Sons. Children's List: Stories of the Old World, Part 1, Alfred J. Church. Old Greek Stories, James Baldwin. American The Story of the Greek People, Eva March Tappan. |