The Impact of History:
A Conversation with a Parent

Designed by: Mary H. Harris, Hopkins Middle SchooL

Grade Level: Sixth    Subject(s): Language Arts/Reading  

1) CORE CURRICULUM OBJECTIVE(S): speak for a variety of purposes (tell stories, share experiences, give directions, participate in discussion, read literature aloud, make announcements, make introductions, give reports and speeches, conduct interviews, interpret surveys).  ( 6-SK-1) ( PACT III.A)

2) OVERVIEW: The students will interview their parents about certain historical events take notes about where their parents or grandparents were and what they remembered.  The students will share their parents’ story later with the class.  This lesson may be easily incorporated in a social studies class.

3)  PURPOSE/ESSENTIAL QUESTION(S):

How to use speech to conduct an interview and share experiences?

5)  RESOURCES:

5x8 index cards

Collection of books on Twentieth Century history

Speaking skill rubric

Tape recorder

 http://www.us-history.com

video camera , blank video tape, tripod(helpful)

6) ASSESSMENT:

 Students will conduct an interview and report the findings to the class.  The student’s notes from the interview will be evaluated.  Students will be assessed daily via a response slip which may be counted as a participation grade or as points toward a quiz grade.  A  sample rubric for the speaking skills is provided.

7)  INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES:

Activity One:

1.Teacher and students will create a web of  events .Students will record the various events.  Sample event ideas may include the following:

EVENT IDEAS:

A.      First Man on the Moon

B.      Kennedy’s Assassination

C.       Ronald  Reagon Shot

D.      Nixon resigning

E.       Challenger Accident

F.       Bombing in Oklahoma City

G.      John Lennon shot

H.      Operation Desert Storm

I.        Vietnam War

J.        Martin Luther King Assassination

2.Each student will identify a major historical event that has happened during their parents or grandparents’ life time.

3.Students will inform the teacher about their topic for the interview.

Activity Two:

1. The students will research information about the event they have selected.

2. Students may do a search at http://www.us-history.com for information about their topic.

3.The teacher will explain how to conduct an interview. Students should be instructed to focus on detail questions such as who, what, when, where, why and how. 

4.In pairs the students will write interview questions and conduct a mock interview to practice listening and note taking skills.(See Attachment.)

5.Teacher should remind students to write the exact words of the speaker. Point out that people often use fragments, slang, and shortened words in their everyday speech. Students may use a tape recorder during the interview provided permission has been given by the person being interviewed.

6.Students should share their questions with a partner for peer editing and should submit questions to their teacher for feedback before conducting the interview.

7.Students should try to include as much narrative as possible to make the report more realistic and interesting.

Daily Assessment: Students will be given a response slip on which they will write at least two facts they have learned from the day’s activity.  This may count as points toward a quiz grade or participation grade.

Activity Three

1.Students should conduct the interview with their parents or grandparents. This is an opportunity for parents  or grandparents to talk about the feelings they had  at the time of the event.

2.Students will take notes.  Following the interview, students will read through their notes to check their understanding.  ( Students may want to retell their parents or grandparents so they can check  for accuracy)

3.Using notebook paper or 5x8 index cards, students should outline the major points they will address in an organized manner.  Direct quotes may be included in these outlines.  Teacher should encourage students to use words that show order, such as first, then, next, and finally.

4.Students will be given speaking skills rubric.

5.Teacher will discuss the elements of an effective presentation.

6.Students will write a draft for the oral presentation.

7.Teacher will monitor the progress of the students.

8.With a partner, the students will revise and practice the oral presentation.

9.Students will present a 5-8 minute speech to the class about the information gathered in the interview.

9.Oral reports may be videotaped and shown during  a P.T.A.meeting. 

Daily Assessment: Students will be given a response slip on which they will write at least two facts they have learned from the day’s activity.  This may count as points toward a quiz grade or participation grade.

Parent Interview Questions

Sample

1.Where were you when the event happened?

2.How did you feel?

3.Do you see any influences today as a result of this event?