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Middle School Reading Lists 100 Years Ago Vs. Today

One of the striking features of the Edina list is how recent the titles are. Many of the selections were published in the 21st century. In fact, only four of the selections are more than 20 years old.

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11 years ago

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And you wonder why people were so much smarter a hundred years ago?

“I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.” Job 36:3

I recently dug up a 1908 curriculum manual in the Minnesota Historical Society archives. It provided instructions on everything from teacher deportment to recommended literature lists for various grades. As a book lover, I was especially interested in the latter!

public-school-reading-lists-100-years-ago-vs-today

With the exception of a few textbook-like anthologies, the chart below lists the recommended reading material for Minnesota 7th and 8th graders in 1908:

public-school-reading-lists-1908

With such a list in hand, I decided to examine if the common accusation that today’s education standards have been dumbed down is really true. To make sure I wasn’t unfairly weighting this survey in favor of the past, I went to one of the Twin Cities metro area’s finest districts, namely, Edina Public Schools. Again, with the exception of a few textbook anthologies, the list below offers the reading options for their 7th and 8th grade students:

public-school-reading-lists-2014

In examining these lists, I noticed three important differences between the reading content of these two eras:

1. Time Period

One of the striking features of the Edina list is how recent the titles are. Many of the selections were published in the 21st century. In fact, only four of the selections are more than 20 years old.

In comparison, over half of the titles on the first list were at least 20 years old in 1908, with many of them averaging between 50 to 100 years old.

Older is not necessarily better, but the books on the first list suggest that schools of the past were more likely to give their students time-tested, classic literature, rather than books whose popularity may happen to be a passing fad.

2. Thematic Elements

A second striking difference between the two book lists are the themes they explore. The first is full of historical references and settings which stretch from ancient Greece (Tanglewood Tales) to the Middle Ages (Harold, Last of Saxon Kings) to the founding of America (Courtship of Miles Standish). Through highly recognized authors such as Longfellow, Stevenson, Kipling, and Dickens, these titles introduce children to a vast array of themes crucial to understanding the foundations upon which America and western civilization were built.

The Edina list, however, largely deals with modern history, particularly hitting on many current political and cultural themes such as the Taliban (The Breadwinner), cloning, illegal immigrants, the drug war (The House of the Scorpion), and deeply troubled youth (Touching Spirit Bear). In terms of longstanding, classic authors, Mark Twain and Ray Bradbury are the only ones who stand out.

It’s good for children to understand the world in which they live, but as with any area in life, you can have too much of a good thing. A continual focus on modern literature narrows the lens through which children can view and interpret the world. Would it not be better to broaden their horizons and expose them to a balance of both old and new literature?

3. Reading Level

Many of the books on the Edina list use fairly simple, understandable language and vocabulary familiar to the modern reader. Consider the first paragraph of Nothing But the Truth:

“Coach Jamison saw me in the hall and said he wanted to make sure I’m trying out for the track team!!!! Said my middle school gym teacher told him I was really good!!!! Then he said that with me on the Harrison High team we have a real shot at being county champs. Fantastic!!!!!! He wouldn’t say that unless he meant it. Have to ask folks about helping me get new shoes. Newspaper route won’t do it all. But Dad was so excited when I told him what Coach said that I’m sure he’ll help.”

On the other hand, consider the first paragraph of Longfellow’s Evangeline:

“This is the forest primeval. The murmuring pines and the hemlocks,
Bearded with moss, and in garments green, indistinct in the twilight,
Stand like Druids of eld, with voices sad and prophetic,
Stand like harpers hoar, with beards that rest on their bosoms.
Loud from its rocky caverns, the deep-voiced neighboring ocean
Speaks, and in accents disconsolate answers the wail of the forest.”

The first example uses simple words and a casual sentence structure, while the second uses a rich vocabulary and a complex writing format. Naturally, some might look at the second selection and say, “Good grief! How do you expect a child to understand that?!?”

But that’s the whole point. Unless we give our students challenging material to dissect, process, and study, how can we expect them to break out of the current poor proficiency ratings and advance beyond a basic reading level?

My takeaway from this comparison? It’s great that schools today have students read contemporary literature. But we still need to make sure that students also read good literature from the past and are sufficiently challenged.

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NTEB PROPHECY NEWS UPDATE: American Citizens At Embassy In Israel Are Ordered To Get Out As ‘Peace President’ Trump Prepares For Massive Iran Attack

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February 27, 2026

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All signs are pointing to an imminent Trump led invasion by the US military against the Khomeini regime in Iran

The headlines are swirling again — aircraft carriers repositioned, bombers forward deployed, evacuation advisories issued, Iran threatening retaliation, and President Trump warning Tehran that time is running out. Whether a strike comes this week, next month, or not at all is almost secondary to the larger reality staring us in the face: The Middle East is once again the prophetic epicenter of the world.

“And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.” Zechariah 12:3 (KJB)

On this episode of Rightly Dividing, Iran has been tightening its grip around Israel for years — through Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, militias in Syria and Iraq, and direct missile and drone capabilities. Meanwhile, America — whether under Trump or any other president — is pulled deeper into the region’s unavoidable gravitational field. Why? Because Jerusalem is the burdensome stone. Notice what that verse says — all the people of the earth. That includes superpowers. That includes alliances. That includes nations that think they can manage the situation through deterrence, diplomacy, or force projection. Making its debut in this conflict will be the brand-new kamikaze drone unit known as Task Force Scorpion. And what about the Board of Peace? We have all the updates you need to know about what’s happening in the Middle East, and all around the globe.

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But whatever you do, don’t do nothing. Time is short and we need your help right now. The Lord has given us an open door with a tremendous ‘course’ for us to fulfill that will create an excellent experience at the Judgement Seat of Christ. Please pray for our efforts, and if the Lord leads you to donate, be as generous as possible. The war is REAL, the battle HOT and the time is SHORT…TO THE FIGHT!!!

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If Bill And Hillary Clinton Do Go Down For Their Relationship With Jeffrey Epstein, Watch For Them To Bring Everyone Else In Washington Down With Them

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February 26, 2026

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Amazingly, Republicans attempted to sabotage the opening day of Hillary Clinton’s closed-door testimony about her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein

We are watching a unique stage play unfolding as Hillary and Bill Clinton are being compelled to testify about their relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Today was the first day of Hillary’s deposition, and it had barely begun when it erupted into chaos as Republicans violated the rules of the closed-door congressional testimony when Lauren Boebert snapped a photo and sent it to TPUSA flack Benny Johnson. The duplicity and corruption on both sides is stunning, but Jeffrey Epstein just may have the last laugh.

“Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:24 (KJB)

Hundreds of photos are available right now online showing Epstein’s very cozy relationship with Bill Clinton, and his very cozy relationship with Donald Trump. Why, there’s even a photo of Ghislaine Maxwell attending Chelsea Clinton’s wedding. The funny part is that both the Clinton’s and Trump are fervently denying the true nature of their relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, in stark contrast to the mountains of evidence that says otherwise. There is only one fair way to solve this vexing problem. Everyone mentioned in the Epstein Files must be put under oath, questioned, and then their answers have to be throughly investigated to see who’s lying and who’s telling the truth. Me personally, I think if the truth ever does come out, there will be enough there to sink not only the Clintons and Donald Trump, but about half of the Federal Government as well. In the meantime, the president of the World Economic Forum today resigned his post as messages between him and Jeffrey Epstein came to light.

Chaos erupts as Hillary Clinton HALTS her Epstein testimony after MAGA lawmaker took photo of closed-door deposition

FROM THE DAILY MAIL UK: Chaos erupted inside Hillary Clinton’s Jeffrey Epstein deposition on Thursday after a Republican lawmaker took a photograph of her during the private session. Representative Lauren Boebert snapped a picture of Hillary and her attorneys as she addressed lawmakers about her relationship with Epstein, then purportedly leaked it to MAGA influencer Benny Johnson.

Hillary’s lawyers asked that the proceedings be halted after the photograph began circulating on social media. It is strictly prohibited for lawmakers or witnesses to take pictures inside a closed-door congressional testimony. The former secretary of state is being deposed at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center near the Clintons’ home in Westchester County, New York, while Bill Clinton will testify on Friday. The closed-door session is being filmed, though any footage will be reviewed by Hillary’s lawyers before release. The deposition resumed within an hour.

Hillary later asked James Comer, the top Republican overseeing the deposition, if the press could be allowed in the hearing after Boebert’s shocking leak. Comer reportedly replied, ‘No.’

A Clinton spokesman told the Daily Mail: ‘It’s against chamber rules that were read at the top of the meeting. So the hearing has been paused briefly while they figure out where the photo came from and why, possibly, members of Congress are violating House rules.’

Prior to the chaos, Hillary blasted Republicans for targeting her while failing to investigate Donald Trump in a fiery opening statement where she provided no defense for her husband. The former secretary of state said she has ‘no information on Epstein’s criminal activities and never recalls meetings’, then accused lawmakers of covering up for Trump’s relationship with Epstein, where he faces ‘heinous’ accusations from survivors. READ MORE

Hillary Clinton speaks to reporters after closed-door House deposition on Epstein

Now The End Begins is your front line defense against the rising tide of darkness in the last Days before the Rapture of the Church

When you contribute to this fundraising effort, you are helping us to do what the Lord called us to do. The money you send in goes primarily to the overall daily operations of this site. When people ask for Bibles, we send them out at no charge. When people write in and say how much they would like gospel tracts but cannot afford them, we send them a box at no cost to them for either the tracts or the shipping, no matter where they are in the world. We have a Gospel Billboard program. We are now broadcasting Bible studies, Podcasts and a Sunday Service 5 times a week, thanks to your generous donations. All this is possible because YOU pray for us, YOU support us, and YOU give so we can continue growing.

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But whatever you do, don’t do nothing. Time is short and we need your help right now. The Lord has given us an open door with a tremendous ‘course’ for us to fulfill that will create an excellent experience at the Judgement Seat of Christ. Please pray for our efforts, and if the Lord leads you to donate, be as generous as possible. The war is REAL, the battle HOT and the time is SHORT…TO THE FIGHT!!!

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YOU ARE INVITED! Come Join Us For ‘Collision 2026’ A Free National 4-Day Apologetics, Prophecy And Current Events Conference At Suncoast Baptist Church

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February 26, 2026

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The ‘Collision 2026’ is a free national 4-Day Apologetics, Prophecy and Current Events Conference at Suncoast Baptist Church in West Palmetto Florida

Starting on March 5th, The Soul Trap will be hosting Collision 2026 a 4-day Bible Prophecy and Apologetics conference at Suncoast Baptist Church in West Palmetto, Florida. We have been talking about this amazing event for the past few months on our Podcast, and now we are exactly one week away from opening day. If you’ve been looking for an immersive event to supercharge your understanding of the end times in which we live, this is it!

“And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” Acts 11:26 (KJB)

Speakers at the Collision Conference include author Randy Keener, author Joseph Dulmage, Dr. Aaron Cowgill, Final Fight Radio host Matt Crane, and of course, me. I will be speaking on biblical Israel and the Middle East, as well as the Deception of Christian Nationalism. Other topics to be covered are Mystery Babylon & New York City, Discernment in the End-Times, Demon Possession & Mental Health, M.U.F.O.N. & Modern Spiritual Warfare and A.I. In the End-Times. It promises to be a rollicking time and jam-packed with all the information you need as a Bible believer living in the last days. Jesus says deception will be the hallmark of the days leading up to the Rapture, and brother, is that ever true.

This is a free event, but you do need to register and you can do that by clicking here. All other information regarding times, locations and speakers can be found here. Suncoast Baptist Church is located at 1816 10th Street West Palmetto, Florida 34221. The conference begins Thursday, March 5th, with coffee and refreshments, and then promptly at 9:00AM, I will open it up as the first speaker. Please pray for everyone travelling there, for all the speakers, and that the Lord would bless this as both a time of refreshment for the saints, and a time of the opening of the scriptures for the lost. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Now The End Begins is your front line defense against the rising tide of darkness in the last Days before the Rapture of the Church

When you contribute to this fundraising effort, you are helping us to do what the Lord called us to do. The money you send in goes primarily to the overall daily operations of this site. When people ask for Bibles, we send them out at no charge. When people write in and say how much they would like gospel tracts but cannot afford them, we send them a box at no cost to them for either the tracts or the shipping, no matter where they are in the world. We have a Gospel Billboard program. We are now broadcasting Bible studies, Podcasts and a Sunday Service 5 times a week, thanks to your generous donations. All this is possible because YOU pray for us, YOU support us, and YOU give so we can continue growing.

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But whatever you do, don’t do nothing. Time is short and we need your help right now. The Lord has given us an open door with a tremendous ‘course’ for us to fulfill that will create an excellent experience at the Judgement Seat of Christ. Please pray for our efforts, and if the Lord leads you to donate, be as generous as possible. The war is REAL, the battle HOT and the time is SHORT…TO THE FIGHT!!!

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” Titus 2:13 (KJB)

“Thank you very much!” – Geoffrey, editor-in-chief, NTEB

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