4th grade social studies SOL - Robert E Lee Hero of the Confederacy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was taught this over 40 years ago in central VA and my oldest (now 13) was taught this in APS. My younger child (2 years behind) was taught a much more complex story with slavery at the center of it. Also in APS. I prefer the new version. It doesn’t paint Lee as a villain. But he’s no hero either.

I can report that my APS 4th grader was taught the new version last year. Thank goodness. Not a native of VA or the south, and I would have raised holy hell if the framing of the issue was around Lee as a hero and loyal Virginian. F*** that noise. He was a traitor to the Union and fought to uphold a system in which fellow humans remained slaves. That’s the actual truth. Winners get to write history, not Confederate losers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where is this?

Not in NoVA.

Is this OP or just a guess?

This is OP. It was not in a NoVA district, further south but won't say more than that. The forum is for VA Public Schools other than FCPS.

Yea, on the webpage DC Urban Moms and Dads- this is generally regarded as a NOVA board. This is not super shocking coming from the south- there are still a lot of confederate flags flying down there, even teachers- I grew up there and its one of many reasons I left.

There are parts of VA where religious education trailers are set up right next to public school campuses and kids spend part of their school day receiving religious indoctrination. It is in theory optional and “private,”, but kids who don’t go are subject to disapproval and bullying. It is in no way a surprise to me that some of these same school districts would fawn over REL.

Really? Where is this? I grew up in the southern half of VA and still have family scattered throughout that area, and I’ve never heard of this.

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2005/02/bible-belt-upside-the-head.html

If you scan down this Facebook page several posts you can see photos of kids walking from their technically off campus (I hope) religious education building back to the school building during the day.

https://www.facebook.com/riverheadswre/

Wow. This really is a thing. 95% of k-5 students!?

No, it really isn’t. And if you look at the Slate article, it is over 16 years old.
I’m not saying it doesn’t exist at all, but it isn’t exactly widespread throughout Virginia.

[Anonymous]

“Robert E. Lee-the pride of Virginia! His military foresight, decisiveness, and ability to inspire greatness in his troops was phenomenal. Not only was he a brilliant Confederate general, he was also a perfect gentleman and loyal Virginian."

WOW, that is over the top. I’m a 4th grade teacher, and if I were to use this it would be in the context of southerners’ attempts to reframe the war. And I would make sure that anything sent home clarified that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where is this?

Not in NoVA.

Is this OP or just a guess?

This is OP. It was not in a NoVA district, further south but won't say more than that. The forum is for VA Public Schools other than FCPS.

Yea, on the webpage DC Urban Moms and Dads- this is generally regarded as a NOVA board. This is not super shocking coming from the south- there are still a lot of confederate flags flying down there, even teachers- I grew up there and its one of many reasons I left.

There are parts of VA where religious education trailers are set up right next to public school campuses and kids spend part of their school day receiving religious indoctrination. It is in theory optional and “private,”, but kids who don’t go are subject to disapproval and bullying. It is in no way a surprise to me that some of these same school districts would fawn over REL.

Really? Where is this? I grew up in the southern half of VA and still have family scattered throughout that area, and I’ve never heard of this.

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2005/02/bible-belt-upside-the-head.html

If you scan down this Facebook page several posts you can see photos of kids walking from their technically off campus (I hope) religious education building back to the school building during the day.

https://www.facebook.com/riverheadswre/

Wow. This really is a thing. 95% of k-5 students!?

No, it really isn’t. And if you look at the Slate article, it is over 16 years old.
I’m not saying it doesn’t exist at all, but it isn’t exactly widespread throughout Virginia.

It absolutely used to be- that is exactly how my school in SWVA was- kids left school, walked across the street and into a trailer for religious Ed- which is not religious Ed- it was basically Christian Sunday school. I think there were 2 kids, me being one, who’s parents opted them out. I will have to find out if it still happens but my older school still does tons of stuff that is culturally and racially insensitive.

[Anonymous]

It appears this book was self-published - the author started a small publishing company years ago and focuses on educational resources - and not many copies were printed and sold. How the heck did a school end up including it in the curriculum

[Anonymous]

In 2019, I did some historical research on property l own in Fauquier County. Lee and the Confederate troops camped on this property on the way to the Second Battle of Manassas. I did not grow up in VA and did not know about how Lee surprised the Union Army. I won’t go into the details here, but I came away with an appreciation for his military strategy even if I don’t agree with the ideals of the Confederacy. Granted, a 4th grader wouldn’t fully comprehend this distinction.

I was also surprised to learn about the extent to which Lee and other Confederate leaders assimilated into society after the Civil War. I never would have guessed that.

I’m not in favor of Confederate statues, naming buildings after Confederates, etc. Just thought I would share what I learned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It appears this book was self-published - the author started a small publishing company years ago and focuses on educational resources - and not many copies were printed and sold. How the heck did a school end up including it in the curriculum

this is why oversight is important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In 2019, I did some historical research on property l own in Fauquier County. Lee and the Confederate troops camped on this property on the way to the Second Battle of Manassas. I did not grow up in VA and did not know about how Lee surprised the Union Army. I won’t go into the details here, but I came away with an appreciation for his military strategy even if I don’t agree with the ideals of the Confederacy. Granted, a 4th grader wouldn’t fully comprehend this distinction.

I was also surprised to learn about the extent to which Lee and other Confederate leaders assimilated into society after the Civil War. I never would have guessed that.

I’m not in favor of Confederate statues, naming buildings after Confederates, etc. Just thought I would share what I learned.

one can appreciate the fact that he was a brilliant military leader without hailing him a hero. He was not a hero to this country. I think that is what most people have an issue with, that he is being painted in that book as a hero.

[Anonymous]

Troll

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our DC came home with study material for the SOLs, including a copy of Robert E Lee: Confederate Hero:

Robert E. Lee-the pride of Virginia! His military foresight, decisiveness, and ability to inspire greatness in his troops was phenomenal. Not only was he a brilliant Confederate general, he was also a perfect gentleman and loyal Virginian.
These popular readers include easy-to-read information, fun facts and trivia, humor, activities and a whole lot more. They are great for ages 7-12 (grades 2-6), because although simple, these readers have substance and really engage kids with their stories. They are great for social studies, meeting state and national curriculum standards, individual and group reading programs, centers, library programs, and have many other terrific educational uses.

Among others, it talks about celebrating "Lee-Jackson-King" day. We're immigrants from a different country and had been taught in school that the South lost the US Civil War.
We're not woke, but did we miss something? Why do VA SOLs expect children to read books highlighting Robert E Lee in 2021?

Well Robert E Lee still has a lot of descendants in Virginia and beyond that, he is one the heroes in the system of white supremacy.
I don’t like the test either so my kids have opted out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our DC came home with study material for the SOLs, including a copy of Robert E Lee: Confederate Hero:

Robert E. Lee-the pride of Virginia! His military foresight, decisiveness, and ability to inspire greatness in his troops was phenomenal. Not only was he a brilliant Confederate general, he was also a perfect gentleman and loyal Virginian.
These popular readers include easy-to-read information, fun facts and trivia, humor, activities and a whole lot more. They are great for ages 7-12 (grades 2-6), because although simple, these readers have substance and really engage kids with their stories. They are great for social studies, meeting state and national curriculum standards, individual and group reading programs, centers, library programs, and have many other terrific educational uses.

Among others, it talks about celebrating "Lee-Jackson-King" day. We're immigrants from a different country and had been taught in school that the South lost the US Civil War.
We're not woke, but did we miss something? Why do VA SOLs expect children to read books highlighting Robert E Lee in 2021?

Well Robert E Lee still has a lot of descendants in Virginia and beyond that, he is one the heroes in the system of white supremacy.
I don’t like the test either so my kids have opted out.

Not a hero to all:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/06/07/robert-e-lee-is-my-ancestor-take-down-his-statue-let-his-cause-be-lost/

In the small town where I live and grew up, the Lost Cause of the Confederacy didn’t need a special name — it was the education we all received. We were taught that during the Civil War, the Confederate States of America had just motive. Perhaps you’ve heard the mantra: “The Civil War was fought for states’ rights.” It was enshrined in monuments across the country after the war ended.

The catch is that there’s more to that sentence, something we southerners are never taught: The Civil War was fought for states’ rights to enslave African people in the United States of America.

As a descendant of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s family, I have borne the weight and responsibility of that lineage. Even though my parents never pushed it or subscribed to all that it could entail, my own upbringing oozed with Southern pride. I had a black nanny — even in the 1990s — and a Confederate flag that hung in my bedroom until middle school. I believed that in commanding the Army of Northern Virginia, Lee was a Christian man with the best of intentions.

Others of us have worked for generations to escape the scorn my family — and the Lost Cause mythology — has brought upon the nation. And for many of us, removing the statue of Lee was a culmination of years of work. For me, this symbolic gesture stands at the start of a new way of life in the South, a new cause that could replace the Lost Cause mentality if we get this right.

The new cause of this country is about justice, equality, peace and concord. We can and must be different. Now is the time to make this new cause the hope of this upcoming generation of activists. We can give the gift of Southern hospitality and community instead of passing on a pseudo-historical and oppressive understanding of the world.

[Anonymous]

This crap is why FCPS is revising the SS curriculum. Thank God. 4th grade Virginia Studies is a disaster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our DC came home with study material for the SOLs, including a copy of Robert E Lee: Confederate Hero:

Robert E. Lee-the pride of Virginia! His military foresight, decisiveness, and ability to inspire greatness in his troops was phenomenal. Not only was he a brilliant Confederate general, he was also a perfect gentleman and loyal Virginian.
These popular readers include easy-to-read information, fun facts and trivia, humor, activities and a whole lot more. They are great for ages 7-12 (grades 2-6), because although simple, these readers have substance and really engage kids with their stories. They are great for social studies, meeting state and national curriculum standards, individual and group reading programs, centers, library programs, and have many other terrific educational uses.

Among others, it talks about celebrating "Lee-Jackson-King" day. We're immigrants from a different country and had been taught in school that the South lost the US Civil War.
We're not woke, but did we miss something? Why do VA SOLs expect children to read books highlighting Robert E Lee in 2021?

Well Robert E Lee still has a lot of descendants in Virginia and beyond that, he is one the heroes in the system of white supremacy.
I don’t like the test either so my kids have opted out.

Not a hero to all:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/06/07/robert-e-lee-is-my-ancestor-take-down-his-statue-let-his-cause-be-lost/

In the small town where I live and grew up, the Lost Cause of the Confederacy didn’t need a special name — it was the education we all received. We were taught that during the Civil War, the Confederate States of America had just motive. Perhaps you’ve heard the mantra: “The Civil War was fought for states’ rights.” It was enshrined in monuments across the country after the war ended.

The catch is that there’s more to that sentence, something we southerners are never taught: The Civil War was fought for states’ rights to enslave African people in the United States of America.

As a descendant of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s family, I have borne the weight and responsibility of that lineage. Even though my parents never pushed it or subscribed to all that it could entail, my own upbringing oozed with Southern pride. I had a black nanny — even in the 1990s — and a Confederate flag that hung in my bedroom until middle school. I believed that in commanding the Army of Northern Virginia, Lee was a Christian man with the best of intentions.

Others of us have worked for generations to escape the scorn my family — and the Lost Cause mythology — has brought upon the nation. And for many of us, removing the statue of Lee was a culmination of years of work. For me, this symbolic gesture stands at the start of a new way of life in the South, a new cause that could replace the Lost Cause mentality if we get this right.

The new cause of this country is about justice, equality, peace and concord. We can and must be different. Now is the time to make this new cause the hope of this upcoming generation of activists. We can give the gift of Southern hospitality and community instead of passing on a pseudo-historical and oppressive understanding of the world.

Robert E Lee had a bunch of Black kids too. There are lots of Black descendants of Robert E Lee running around Virginia too

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our DC came home with study material for the SOLs, including a copy of Robert E Lee: Confederate Hero:

Robert E. Lee-the pride of Virginia! His military foresight, decisiveness, and ability to inspire greatness in his troops was phenomenal. Not only was he a brilliant Confederate general, he was also a perfect gentleman and loyal Virginian.
These popular readers include easy-to-read information, fun facts and trivia, humor, activities and a whole lot more. They are great for ages 7-12 (grades 2-6), because although simple, these readers have substance and really engage kids with their stories. They are great for social studies, meeting state and national curriculum standards, individual and group reading programs, centers, library programs, and have many other terrific educational uses.

Among others, it talks about celebrating "Lee-Jackson-King" day. We're immigrants from a different country and had been taught in school that the South lost the US Civil War.
We're not woke, but did we miss something? Why do VA SOLs expect children to read books highlighting Robert E Lee in 2021?

Well Robert E Lee still has a lot of descendants in Virginia and beyond that, he is one the heroes in the system of white supremacy.
I don’t like the test either so my kids have opted out.

Not a hero to all:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/06/07/robert-e-lee-is-my-ancestor-take-down-his-statue-let-his-cause-be-lost/

In the small town where I live and grew up, the Lost Cause of the Confederacy didn’t need a special name — it was the education we all received. We were taught that during the Civil War, the Confederate States of America had just motive. Perhaps you’ve heard the mantra: “The Civil War was fought for states’ rights.” It was enshrined in monuments across the country after the war ended.

The catch is that there’s more to that sentence, something we southerners are never taught: The Civil War was fought for states’ rights to enslave African people in the United States of America.

As a descendant of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s family, I have borne the weight and responsibility of that lineage. Even though my parents never pushed it or subscribed to all that it could entail, my own upbringing oozed with Southern pride. I had a black nanny — even in the 1990s — and a Confederate flag that hung in my bedroom until middle school. I believed that in commanding the Army of Northern Virginia, Lee was a Christian man with the best of intentions.

Others of us have worked for generations to escape the scorn my family — and the Lost Cause mythology — has brought upon the nation. And for many of us, removing the statue of Lee was a culmination of years of work. For me, this symbolic gesture stands at the start of a new way of life in the South, a new cause that could replace the Lost Cause mentality if we get this right.

The new cause of this country is about justice, equality, peace and concord. We can and must be different. Now is the time to make this new cause the hope of this upcoming generation of activists. We can give the gift of Southern hospitality and community instead of passing on a pseudo-historical and oppressive understanding of the world.

Robert E Lee had a bunch of Black kids too. There are lots of Black descendants of Robert E Lee running around Virginia too

One of those black descendants has posted on dcum. I disagreed with much of that person’s thoughts around race (I’m also black) but it was an interesting perspective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where is this?

Not in NoVA.

Is this OP or just a guess?

This is OP. It was not in a NoVA district, further south but won't say more than that. The forum is for VA Public Schools other than FCPS.

Yea, on the webpage DC Urban Moms and Dads- this is generally regarded as a NOVA board. This is not super shocking coming from the south- there are still a lot of confederate flags flying down there, even teachers- I grew up there and its one of many reasons I left.

There are parts of VA where religious education trailers are set up right next to public school campuses and kids spend part of their school day receiving religious indoctrination. It is in theory optional and “private,”, but kids who don’t go are subject to disapproval and bullying. It is in no way a surprise to me that some of these same school districts would fawn over REL.

Really? Where is this? I grew up in the southern half of VA and still have family scattered throughout that area, and I’ve never heard of this.

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2005/02/bible-belt-upside-the-head.html

If you scan down this Facebook page several posts you can see photos of kids walking from their technically off campus (I hope) religious education building back to the school building during the day.

https://www.facebook.com/riverheadswre/

Wow. This really is a thing. 95% of k-5 students!?

I seriously doubt that is an accurate estimate.