Carl Sandburg and Lincoln

[Rob Wick]

I experienced that when required to memorize something-that very act also led me to consider the words/sentences carefully-and to actually think about what I was memorizing.

Bill, that's the way it's supposed to work in theory, but in practice I think many history teachers (especially coaches...the bane of my existence) just do it because it's easy and doesn't require a lot of planning. I remember in reading Robert Remini's biography of Daniel Webster how school children could recite his famous second reply to Hayne, and I thought that was fine, but could they tell what significance it had?

To tie it in to Sandburg, most people are familiar with the poems "Chicago" or "Fog", but what benefit does it have if all they know are the words? Don't get me wrong...it's half the battle, but only half.


Best
Rob