Dear John,

The ability to understand historical events within the context of the complex circumstances of their times is a skill that even the most experienced historians must constantly refine. Professor Vincent Cannato, the scholar who led our professional development day for Pittsburgh area teachers last Thursday, reminded the teachers who attended of this when he began with a lecture on John F. Kennedy's speech to the to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association, a group of Protestant ministers, on the issue of his religion. 

Understanding the significance of this speech requires not only understanding the context of the 1960 presidential election and the fact that Kennedy was only the second Catholic to run for president on a major party's ticket, but also the larger context of the history of the role of religion in American society, politics, and government. 

How do you teach contextualization to your students? What unique challenges do you face with teaching this skill to teenagers who bring their own experiences and context to the historical events and current events that are being discussed in your classroom? Please share your experiences with us and other teachers on our social media platforms.

Warmly,

Laura Vlk
Director, Educator Engagement
Bill of Rights Institute