Research 1930's Style (That means segregated...)
You will be placed in a group to determine which resources you may use for the individual assignment that follows. You may ONLY use those items assigned to your group for this activity. If you "jump resources," you will lose points.
Group 1: Middle class white - novel, library, books, computers,– anything!
Group 2: Poor white - novel, library books ONLY – NO iPads, phones, computers
Group 3: Black - novel ONLY
ASSIGNMENT - Welcome to the world of Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird. You are living in the 1930s. Your home, neighborhood, school, activities, clothes and social interactions are vastly different than anything you are familiar with today. This activity will take you back in time to learn what your life is like as a young person growing up in the 30s. Using what you learn, write a letter to someone living today. This letter is due at the end of the block.
The Task: You are going to begin by researching the topics listed below to learn about your life in the 1930s. You may use only the resources listed by your assigned group above. The letter will focus on the following four aspects of your life.
Partner Swap Checklist
On your own paper, write your name and then the name of the person whose letter you reviewed.
1. Review the paragraph descriptions above. Did the writer answer each list of questions thoroughly? If not, provide feedback to help this student improve.
2. Review the descriptive language. Can you think of better adjectives to help add stronger imagery? List their words and your suggestions.
3. Review the action words. Can you think of better verbs to add stronger movement? List their words and your suggestions.
4. What is the best part of this letter?
5. Which part is the weakest?
Class Discussion
What did you learn about life in the 1930’s South based on the group you were assigned? What did you learn about the other groups? What conclusions can you draw about the feelings of each group based on these experiences?
Group 1: Middle class white - novel, library, books, computers,– anything!
Group 2: Poor white - novel, library books ONLY – NO iPads, phones, computers
Group 3: Black - novel ONLY
ASSIGNMENT - Welcome to the world of Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird. You are living in the 1930s. Your home, neighborhood, school, activities, clothes and social interactions are vastly different than anything you are familiar with today. This activity will take you back in time to learn what your life is like as a young person growing up in the 30s. Using what you learn, write a letter to someone living today. This letter is due at the end of the block.
The Task: You are going to begin by researching the topics listed below to learn about your life in the 1930s. You may use only the resources listed by your assigned group above. The letter will focus on the following four aspects of your life.
- In your first paragraph, describe your home and neighborhood in detail. Include lots of specific and interesting information so that the reader of your letter can visualize your environment.
- In your second paragraph, tell about your family. What types of activities do you enjoy as a family? What is your standard of living? How do your parents make a living?
- In your third paragraph, tell about your school and your friends. Describe your school, classes and teachers. Who are your friends, and what are some activities you enjoy doing together?
- In your fourth paragraph, describe what's going on in the world around you. What's happening in the nation politically and economically? Tell about popular fashions, music, radio programs, and other interesting facts.
- Review the first chapter of To Kill a Mockingbird to familiarize yourself with the setting and characters in this novel. This preparation will help you as you begin to research life in the 1930s. Based on your assigned group, you may have additional resources to use for research.
- You are going to write a letter for homework in the voice of a person growing up in the 1930s. Before you begin your research, consider the gender, race, and age of the "character" that you will become as you write these letters. Your character will be determined by the role you are assigned. You may also want to decide on a name for your character. Also decide to whom you are going to address your letters. You might consider writing to a friend, family member or even to your teacher.
- When you have collected information about each of the four topics (see the list of paragraph topics above) you are prepared to begin the writing process. Remember, you are writing from the perspective of a person living in the 1930’s. You are explaining your life to a person living today. Your letters should include enough detail and description for your reader to gain a good sense of what your life is like. You may not use research methods/materials outside the limitations given to you in class!
- In your next English class, you and a classmate will examine your letter’s content and revise where necessary.
Partner Swap Checklist
On your own paper, write your name and then the name of the person whose letter you reviewed.
1. Review the paragraph descriptions above. Did the writer answer each list of questions thoroughly? If not, provide feedback to help this student improve.
2. Review the descriptive language. Can you think of better adjectives to help add stronger imagery? List their words and your suggestions.
3. Review the action words. Can you think of better verbs to add stronger movement? List their words and your suggestions.
4. What is the best part of this letter?
5. Which part is the weakest?
Class Discussion
What did you learn about life in the 1930’s South based on the group you were assigned? What did you learn about the other groups? What conclusions can you draw about the feelings of each group based on these experiences?
