Past and Present

During a discussion about Athenian democracy, students were pointing out the connections between its limitations and the history of democracy in the United States. While I was excited to hear the connections being made, I began to worry that some students might lack the background knowledge needed to understand these connections. Those who were able to make the connections showed me that they were engaged and applying what they have learned about ancient history to other contexts, a sign of deep understanding. However, I grew worried that the switching back and forth between ancient and modern could be confusing (and disengaging) for the students who are not familiar with either the specific moments in US History or any of the current events that other students were referencing. I wanted to ensure that all students were able to make connections between the past (Athens) and their own personal lives, as well as their personal cultural knowledge.