Download Extra Credit Opportunity: Family Interviews

Oral History Decades Project
Objective: Students will learn about the various aspects of American culture and politics during their
assigned decade. Students will conduct research and an interview to meet this objective.
Directions:
1. Each student will select a decade to research and interview a person that lived and experienced that
decade first hand. The options are 1940s-1990s. There will be a limit on the number of students
allowed to select each decade. There is a sign-up sheet for each decade available in class.
2. The Research: Create a PowerPoint/Prezi/Blog/Website/song/rap/video/tri-fold, etc. that will
include the following information from your decade:
 Politics - Important elections, major laws, changes in policy, wars, scandals, etc.
 Economics- How was the economy at the time? Recession, depression, booming? How
much did it cost to go to the movies or a gallon of gas or milk? What was the average
household income? Unemployment? GDP? Etc.
 Technology- Were there any important/influential inventions that came out of your
decade? How did the inventions impact the American people?
 Values/Culture- What was society like? How were women and minorities viewed? Any
social movements or revolutions during this decade?
 Popular Culture- Who were popular stars in the world of sports and entertainment?
Award winning films? Music of the decade? Fashion styles? Can you find any examples to
put in your presentation?
 Graphics must be included, at least three for each topic.
3. The Interview: Find someone that lived and remembers the decade you have selected and
researched. Create 15 questions to ask your interviewee. You can find information on how to
create good questions and even look at some sample questions here :
http://home.earthlink.net/~ahickling/interviewsuggestions.html
It is very important that you ask specific, open ended questions that guide a discussion between
you and your interviewee… an Example of a BAD question, “Do you remember when Kennedy
was shot?” This question allows for just a yes or no answer, you want details about the event.
Example of a GOOD question, “What do you remember about the Kennedy assassination?” It
allows for a better response. What if the interviewee doesn’t remember the event you are asking
about? Be prepared to ask other questions…That is why you are writing things down as you
conduct the interview. ***Each answer to each question should have a 3-5 sentence response, even
if you have to ask more questions***
 Include your interview in your decade project.
Interview you must have:
1. Date of the interview2. Name of interviewee3. Relation to student4. Interviewee date of birth
5. Where interviewee lived during the era6. 15 questions AND the responses (hand write it first, then type later if you can)
7. Picture of you and your interviewee
4. Works Cited- You must cite at least THREE sources in MLA format. Include a works
cited part at the end of your project presentation.
DUE: Wednesday, May 27th
Rubric
Name: ___________________________
Did you include?
Politics
Economics
Technology
Values/Culture
Popular Culture
Interview
Works Cited
Addressed important elections, major laws,
changes in policy, wars, scandals, etc. Provided at
least three images that support the research.
Addressed the state of the economy at the time.
Provided examples of unemployment, median
income, prices for consumer goods, etc. Provided
at least three images that support the research.
Included important or influential inventions that
came out during the decade. Explained how
inventions impacted the American people.
Provided at least three images that support the
research.
Provided examples of society was like during this
decade. Explained how women and minorities
were viewed. Addressed social movements or
revolutions if applicable. Provided at least three
images that support the research.
Addressed popular stars in the world of sports and
entertainment, award winning films, music and
fashion styles. Provided at least three images that
support the research.
Included: Date of the interview, name of
interviewee, relation to student, interviewee date
of birth, where interviewee lived during the era,
15 questions AND the responses, and a picture of
you and your interviewee.
You must cite at least THREE sources in MLA
format. Include a works cited slide at the end of
your project presentation.
Total Points Earned: __________/ 100
Grade: ________
Point
Value
10
10
10
10
10
30
20
Points Earned
Decades Sign Up List:
3rd period
1940-1949
1. _______________________________
4.____________________________
2. _______________________________
5.____________________________
3.________________________________
6.____________________________
1950-1959
1. _______________________________
4.____________________________
2. _______________________________
5.____________________________
3.________________________________
6.____________________________
1960-1969
1. _______________________________
4.____________________________
2. _______________________________
5.____________________________
3.________________________________
6.____________________________
1970-1979
1. _______________________________
4.____________________________
2. _______________________________
5.____________________________
3.________________________________
6.____________________________
1980-1989
1. _______________________________
4.____________________________
2. _______________________________
5.____________________________
3.________________________________
6.____________________________
1990-1999
1. _______________________________
4.____________________________
2. _______________________________
5.____________________________
3.________________________________
6.____________________________
Decades Sign Up List:
4th period
1940-1949
1. _______________________________
4.____________________________
2. _______________________________
5.____________________________
3.________________________________
6.____________________________
1950-1959
1. _______________________________
4.____________________________
2. _______________________________
5.____________________________
3.________________________________
6.____________________________
1960-1969
1. _______________________________
4.____________________________
2. _______________________________
5.____________________________
3.________________________________
6.____________________________
1970-1979
1. _______________________________
4.____________________________
2. _______________________________
5.____________________________
3.________________________________
6.____________________________
1980-1989
1. _______________________________
4.____________________________
2. _______________________________
5.____________________________
3.________________________________
6.____________________________
1990-1999
1. _______________________________
4.____________________________
2. _______________________________
5.____________________________
3.________________________________
6.____________________________
Decades Sign Up List:
5th period
1940-1949
1. _______________________________
4.____________________________
2. _______________________________
5.____________________________
3.________________________________
6.____________________________
1950-1959
1. _______________________________
4.____________________________
2. _______________________________
5.____________________________
3.________________________________
6.____________________________
1960-1969
1. _______________________________
4.____________________________
2. _______________________________
5.____________________________
3.________________________________
6.____________________________
1970-1979
1. _______________________________
4.____________________________
2. _______________________________
5.____________________________
3.________________________________
6.____________________________
1980-1989
1. _______________________________
4.____________________________
2. _______________________________
5.____________________________
3.________________________________
6.____________________________
1990-1999
1. _______________________________
4.____________________________
2. _______________________________
5.____________________________
3.________________________________
6.____________________________
Decades Sign Up List:
6th period
1940-1949
1. _______________________________
4.____________________________
2. _______________________________
5.____________________________
3.________________________________
6.____________________________
1950-1959
1. _______________________________
4.____________________________
2. _______________________________
5.____________________________
3.________________________________
6.____________________________
1960-1969
1. _______________________________
4.____________________________
2. _______________________________
5.____________________________
3.________________________________
6.____________________________
1970-1979
1. _______________________________
4.____________________________
2. _______________________________
5.____________________________
3.________________________________
6.____________________________
1980-1989
1. _______________________________
4.____________________________
2. _______________________________
5.____________________________
3.________________________________
6.____________________________
1990-1999
1. _______________________________
4.____________________________
2. _______________________________
5.____________________________
3.________________________________
6.____________________________