Introduction
You are about to embark on a fascinating journey into one of the most exciting time periods in America's history. Through the use of websites, videos and graphics, you will learn all there is to know about The Roaring Twenties!
Task
Congratulations! You have just invented the first successful time machine. You have traveled back in time to the 1920's. Unfortunately, your time machine needs a new flixiwhatzit. Luckily, you found a professor of Engineering and he can make you a new one!
Your new flixiwhatzit will be ready in a week. Until then, you will enjoy life in the ROARING TWENTIES!!!!
Your job is to write 7 diary entries detailing this experience. Please be creative, and make sure to include details about the time period. (Think Historical Fiction)
Your diary should make at least one mention of the following terms and people:
Suffrage, Flapper, Charleston, Harlem Rennisance, Jazz Age, automobile, baseball, prohibition, ammendments 18-21, Langston Hughes, Louis Armstrong, Babe Ruth, Henry Ford, Charles Lindbergh.
Process
Your first step is to think about your narrator (main character) Use what you learned about writing narratives to really bring him to life. You already know his problem and some of the events he will experience. Now ask yourself some crucial questions about him or her.
Where was he/she born?
What are some of his/her favorite things?
What is most important to him/her?
What is he/she really good at/bad at?
What would he/she risk anything for?
Your research begins here. View the following slideshow for a taste of what the twenties were like. We'll look more deeply into these aspects as we go.
http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/other-shows/videos/assignment-discovery-shorts-roaring-20s/
What are your initial thoughts? (Write down your first impressions of the fashion, music and culture of the 20's)
First, lets take a look at women's rights. Women took over many of the manufacturing jobs while the men were away in WWI. This helped to liberate them and they were convinced that they could accomplish more. Watch this video to get you in the spirit of women's suffrage!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co6qKVBciAw
The women in this video mention the 15th. What are they referring to? (rewatch the video if you need to).
Women fought for the right to vote, and that was granted to them in the 20's. The 19th ammendment gauranteed that all citizens (not just men) could vote. Women gained rights and freedoms, they began to change. Women began working outside of the home and accompanying men at places they hadn't gone before. This was the age of the "flapper" a woman who wore shorter skirts and haircuts. They dressed in the height of fashion. Read here about the fashions of the flappers.
http://www.1920-30.com/fashion/
As fashions changed, so did the culture of the decade. Watch these videos to learn more about the music and lifestyle in the twenties.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psch9N4PmO4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3ZspdOFlj0
Another change in this time period revolved around the use of alcohol. Many people thought that using alcohol contributed to crime. A movement began to make the sale and purchase of alcohol illegal. This was known as prohibition.
http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/prohibition.htm
http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/pr/Prohibition
http://www.history.com/topics/prohibition/videos/america-goes-dry-with-prohibition
Who mainly fought for prohibition? Was prohibition successful? Why?
This period became known as "The Jazz Age" The most famous musician of "The Jazz Age" was Louis Armstrong. Watch this video to get to know his music.
http://www.biography.com/people/louis-armstrong-9188912
The culture of art and music were revolutionized during the twenties as well. This time period became known as the "Harlem Rennisance." Read all about it here.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_harlem.html
Read this passage about Langston Hughes. Then click on the second link to listen to one of his poems.
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/langston-hughes
http://childrenspoetryarchive.org/poet/langston-hughes
What do you think the author's message (theme) is trying to convey?
Another cultural influence during this time was baseball. You may have heard of baseball as "America's Favorite Pastime." One of the most famous baseball players was a man named George Herman Ruth. You might have heard of him as "The Babe." The first clip will remind you who we are referring to with a modern day reference. Then, check out Babe Ruth's website to read all kinds of facts and information about him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H52N9ojcJAY
After reading about "The Babe." What do you think all the fuss was about? Why was he so popular that he is still being referenced in movies?
Another world changing event was the invention of the assembly line. Ford motor company began manufacturing cars that people could afford. Take a look at these videos of the production for the "Model T."
http://www.teachertube.com/video/ford-model-t-production-line-1919-234289
http://www.history.com/topics/model-t
Another major influence on American lifestyles was the invention improvements of the Airplane. Airplanes could now travel across the country and even across an ocean. The first man to do this was Charles Lindbergh. Check out these links for more information on him.
http://www.charleslindbergh.com/history/paris.asp
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/lindbergh/maps/flighttext.html
Here is one more video to sum up what you've learned about the Roaring Twenties.
http://www.teachertube.com/video/the-roaring-twenties-87328
Now, write a summary of the information you've learned about the Roaring Twenties. Use a cause and effect structure to explain how these events and inventions changed American lives. Be sure to include the following terms (Suffrage, Flapper, Charleston, Harlem Rennisance, Jazz Age, automobile, baseball, prohibition, ammendments 18-21, Langston Hughes, Louis Armstrong, Babe Ruth, Henry Ford, Charles Lindbergh).
Evaluation
You will be graded according to this checklist.
1. Did you use creativity in creating your character
and in your diary adventures? 20 points
2. Did you write 7 diary entries of at least
a page in length? 35 points
3. Did you mention all of the terms and
people listed above? 35 points
4. Did you use grade appropriate organization
style and mechanics? 10 points
Conclusion
Now you are ready to write your diary entries. Double check your final copy with the checklist so that you are sure to get the best grade!