Introduction
Objectives
Students will be able to:
- learn about the history of African Americans in the South through analysis of historical and literary primary source photographs and documents;
- demonstrate visual literacy skills;
- master research skills necessary to use American Memory collections;
- distinguish points of view in several types of primary sources;
- demonstrate the technique of recording oral histories; and
- write creative works that reflect the themes of racism, compassion, and tolerance in To Kill a Mockingbird.
Task
I - Historical Understanding of Settings
II - Exploring Oral history
III - Writing Connection
Process
Using the handout given to record your findings, you will complete each task and then write a reflection.
I - Historical Understanding of Setting
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. Students view photographs from Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. (Students should be given time to browse this collection, then select one photo for careful analysis.)
- They should search for:
Selma, Alabama
Eutaw, Alabama
Greensboro, Alabama
After browsing through these images, students should select one photo for careful analysis. Students analyze the photograph, recording their thoughts on the Primary Source Analysis Tool.
II - Exploring Oral History
- Read one of the oral histories suggested below. Students analyze the oral history, recording their thoughts on the Primary Source Analysis Tool.
Suggested readings:
III - Writing Connection
Reflect on what you have learned this past week and respond to the following prompt.
If you grew up in a world similar to Harper Lee's, why might you be motivated to write a novel about your experience? What would you say? Be detailed and descriptive in your writing.
Evaluation
Lesson Evaluation
Student evaluation may be based on:
- Completion of all writing assignments:
- town poem
- found poem
- editorial
- Active participation in all class discussions.
Conclusion
All work must be completed and handed into the teacher either by end of class day but not later than Monday in preparation for whole class discussion. All work will be graded.