The English Teacher: Friend or Foe?

<p><em>By Mary Patterson</em></p>

<p>I’m not sure if my love/hate relationship with my English department colleagues was typical of all high school teachers, but it was an interesting dynamic. I may have once gotten chided for revealing the ending of <em>Animal Farm</em> to my history class. I stand by my actions, as the book is based on history. Plus, if you have Google, you know how anything ends (right?!).</p>

<p>I have, however, seen the power of a successful collaboration with our English and Language Arts counterparts. In fact, I am quite the champion of using art, music, and literature in the classroom. Here are a few playlists to give you some ideas to cross-pollinate with the English teacher down the hall. Just don’t let on that you tell your students how the book ends!</p>

<p>ELA in the USA: <a href="https://billofrightsinstitute.org/playlists/a4BEY0000000PP42AM">https://billofrightsinstitute.org/playlists/a4BEY0000000PP42AM</a></p>

<p>Thoreau, Emerson, Zora Neal Hurston, Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou. Take that, English class!</p>

<p>A Visual History of the United States: <a href="https://billofrightsinstitute.org/playlists/a4BEY0000000POz2AM">https://billofrightsinstitute.org/playlists/a4BEY0000000POz2AM</a></p>

<p>I always wondered if you could tell the story of the United States using only primary source images. Here is an attempt with 73 images from colonial history to Sept. 11, 2001.</p>

<p>Music in the USA: <a href="https://billofrightsinstitute.org/playlists/a4BEY0000000PP92AM">https://billofrightsinstitute.org/playlists/a4BEY0000000PP92AM</a></p>

<p>Here is a great way to bring some music into your classroom. These activities and sources cover the Civil War and slavery to the “Sounds of the Suburbs” in the post-World War II baby boom.</p>

<p>What sort of resources are you looking for? I’d love to hear from you and help you out with suggestions. Email me at <a href="mailto:mpatterson@mybri.org">mpatterson@mybri.org</a> and I’d be happy to help!</p>

<p><em>Mary Patterson is a Senior Content Specialist at the Bill of Rights Institute. She is also a former history and government teacher.</em></p>