Week of March 30
This week in US history, students are learning about the rapid changes and economic growth that came with the 1950s.
Monday & Tuesday, March 30th & 31st – The Affluent Era
Students will have the opportunity to have a live virtual class meeting with their regular classmates on these days. The lesson will be shared in Classroom after for students who were unable to attend. Students should take notes on the lesson and engage in the class discussion.
Wednesday, April 1 – Sounds of the 1950s
Similarly to last week, students will take some time to listen to the music that people listened to throughout the 1950s. This time, though, it’s their task to assemble the playlist. Using their resources, they are to discover some of the top songs of the era (hint: Elvis, Chuck Berry – of Missouri!, Buddy Holly, and “Rock Around the Clock”!). Their assignment is to create their own Top Ten chart, explaining why they chose those songs.
Classroom check-in: upload your Top Ten chart to the Classroom assignment.
Office Hours: 11-noon and 1-3 pm
Thursday, April 2 – Standard of Living
Check out this 1959 speech from Richard Nixon. Students will be asked to consider some of the following questions: What do you think he meant by the line, “We have other problems in our society but we are confident that for us our system of government provides the best means for solving them”? What does he mean by a “standard of living”? What were some of the typical items Americans were consuming in their homes? How many Americans were employed vs. unemployed? What aid was available to those who were unemployed?
Classroom check-in: upload a document answering these questions, and add your own questions as they arise.
Office Hours: 11-noon and 1-3 pm
Friday, April 3 – Other Problems in Our Society
Students will watch the video posted to Classroom and will answer some of the following questions: What stands out to you about the 1950s? What are some other problems you are seeing throughout American society? Find an image or video footage from the time that represents one of those issues, and share it in a doc to the assignment posted in Classroom. You might utilize Brown v. Board or Hernandez v. Texas in your answer. Students’ answers may be creative pieces, as they did last week for Sounds of the Cold War. They may also opt to type their responses up in a nonfiction format.
Classroom check-in: share your response about other issues in society on Classroom via Google doc or a photo/video of your creative piece.
Office Hours: 11-noon and 1-3 pm
This week’s optional extension: continue your research project. Share your notes with Mrs. Smith for feedback.
