Pop Culture

Part of the social aspect of Social Studies is to discover the events in our lives that impact the way we speak, act and generally see the world.  One way I compare the present to the past is to discuss America's love of "Pop Culture".  The girls today are in love with Justin Bieber, just as the girls my age would do anything for New Kids on the Block and my mother's generation would scream in agony for missing a Beatles's performance on TV. (Disclaimer:  In NO way do I feel that Justin Bieber nor NKOTB are on the same lyrical and music level of the Beatles).
 

Entertainment has often defined eras of history, including the "Roaring 20's" and "The Hippies" of the 1960s.  From promoting an American agenda to protesting, music and media have had an impact on how we live our lives and define the culture of those eras.  In class and for homework we do a Current Events activity that not only includes recent national and world news, but also includes pop culture.  There is so much happening in regards to social media and technology that it is impossible to get away from it all.  Instead of ignoring it, we embrace it is added in to my daily lessons.

This has been an important component to Social Studies and why it is needed so much in school curriculum.  The pop culture is a great transition into important world and national news.  Since the start of 2011 there have been major national events in Egypt, Libya and Japan as well as numerous others.  We also remembered the one year anniversary of the tragedy in Haiti by having a moment of silence.  Just this week Justin Bieber was in Israel and caused international news for refusing a photo shoot that was seen as a political stunt.  Children may not watch CNN or Fox News when they arrive home at night, but major events are impossible to ignore.  Just logging into any major email account will present students with the news.  I also can not ignore the fact that students see the world different than adults.  They want to help and do the right thing everyday.  It is hard not to get emotional when seeing the impact that images and videos have on students.  It immediately calls them to action and to assist others.  There is nothing more rewarding than that as an educator.

In closure, I often refer to 80s movies or bands in class that had an impact on my life.  I feel it is important to share my life experiences, both good and bad with students.  One movie I loved as a child was Back to the Future.  During one of our free afternoons during Terra Nova testing, the students were able to watch this wonderful movie from 1985.  We can't escape the past, and we shouldn't.  The 80s are still around us....as this 1980's DeLorean I photographed here in Chicago shows us!  Who wants to go back in time?