Letters: Teach freedom, liberty curriculum in school

The Why America is Free Curriculum immerses students in the life of revolutionary America. It is a six-week hands-on history experience for 4th or 5th grade students taught through all subjects. Embracing history in this way helps students internalize what they have learned and provides a firm foundation for understanding civics in middle school. When the students reach high school, they will not just memorize names, dates and documents, but they will appreciate the relevance of these documents.

America was the first nation founded on the idea of freedom, rather than on power, wealth, religion or war. Liberty requires civic responsibility. Many teachers acknowledge that the usual curriculum does not allow enough time to adequately cover these concepts.

We must recognize that our shared identity is more important than our differences. It is vital that the next generation understands that our national heritage belongs to all of us. This curriculum is taught in 12 states, in more than 150 public and private schools — 39 of them in South Carolina. It should be available to every child.