Teacher Preparation
-
Make Copies (one of each per student)
Handout #1 - Where were you on December 7, 1941
Handout #2 -
Basic Rules of Oral Histories
Handout #3
- Family Interview Form
Handout #4
- Oral History Release Form
-
If possible, find a copy of President Roosevelt's
Dec 8 address about the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and play it for
your students prior to reading it. Tape recorder
Lesson
Plan
What is an oral
history?
Brainstorm with your class what is an oral
history.
Handout
#1: Where were you on December 7, 1941?
Compare the information provided.
Compare facts about the attack. Compare what people were doing in each
interview provided.
Discuss ways oral interviews can be
conducted:
-
Written - the interviewer asks questions and
writes down the answers
-
Audio taped - the interviewer records the answers
on tape.
-
Video taped - the interviewer films the
interview.
Conduct an oral history
with family and/or friends
about an important event
Discuss with your class how
people remember important events in their lives.
Suggestion: Use 9-11
Have students write a paragraph in class about
where they were, and their memories of this important event.
Handout and go over these forms:
-
Handout
#2: Basic Rules of Oral Histories
-
Handout
#3: Family Interview Form
-
Handout
#4: Oral History Release Form. Tell students when using
information from oral histories, the class or an individual student
must get a release from the person interviewed.
Activity: Tell students their
assignment is to conduct an oral interview with a family member about the
same event on which they wrote their paragraph. Remind them to be sure and
get a signed release form from the person they interview.
Conduct an oral history with a classroom guest
about an aspect of the home front during World War II
Teacher Preparation:
-
Find someone who will visit your class who was a
child or young adult on Dec 7, 1941. Inform the office that you will
be having a classroom guest.
-
Arrange for comfortable transportation for your
guest to and from school.
-
Provide your guest with a list of questions they
will be asked several days prior to classroom visit.
-
Invite someone from the local newspaper the day
of the interview. They might send a photographer. If not, take
pictures yourself. Send a quick news lease (written as a class
activity) with picture to the local paper. You might be surprised.
They might publish it!
Announce to the class that the
class will be enjoying a visit from someone who was a child on December 7,
1941, and remembers the bombing of Pearl Harbor and Home Front activities
during World War II.
Group Activity: Break into groups.
Have each group prepare 5 questions that are most important, and five more
that would be interesting to know. Give them some time. Then have each
group share their list with the class. Write their questions on the
overhead or chalk or whiteboard. Have the class vote on a list of 10-15
questions that will be asked. Questions should include: How old were you
on December 7, 1941. Where were you living?
The Interview: Have an escort (student from
class) meet your guest at the office. Make sure they are comfortable.
Introduce your guest. Interview your guest. At the conclusion, thank your
guest. Bring soft drinks and cookies or candies for everyone.
Escort your guest back to the office. Make sure they have a way to arrive
and return home safely and comfortably.
Follow Up: Share interview notes
taken by students. Post interviews on the wall. Write thank you notes to
the person interviewed and mail them.
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