Voices of Our People: A Patchwork of Cultures
Steve Olguin and Margaret Jane Tobias
Different peoples have contributed to the history
of the Southwestern United States. To gain an understanding and appreciation
of this history, students will investigate the region's culture.
They will identify the contributions of those peoples.
This lesson, part of a larger unit, involves recogntion of
cultural elements through a photo analysis.
Objectives
Students will view a gallery of photographs from the American Memory
Collection to identify cultural components by:
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Making and recording objective observations of photos
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Making and recording subjective observations of photos
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Developing questions about the photos based on these observations
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Showing their interpretation of the photos by writing first
person narratives about them (Collaborate with Language Arts teachers on
this objective)
Time Required
The lesson should take 2-3 class sessions to complete.
Recommended Grade Level
Grades 5-12
Curriculum Fit
Social Studies, Language Arts, Humanities
Resources Used
Selected photographs from the American Memory
collections:
Buckaroos
in Paradise: Ranching Cutlure in Northern Nevada, 1945-1982
American Life Histories: Manuascripts from the Federal Writers'
Project, 1936-1940
America from the Great Depression to World War II: Photographs from
the FSA an OWI
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Teacher created photo gallery
-
Contemporary graphics (postcards, pictures, posters) of the local area.
Procedures
Day 1 Opening Activity to set the stage:
Teacher will model objective and subjective photo analysis and guide students
through a group analysis.
Day 2
-
In groups of 3-4, students will select a photo from the teacher created
photo gallery.
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Students will write 2 objective observations about the photo.
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In groups of 3-4, students will share observations with one another.
-
Student will write 2 subjective observations about the photo.
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In groups of 3-4, students will share observations about the photo.
-
Students will write 2 questions they have concerning their observations
and share with the group.
Day 3
-
Students will write/revise first person narratives based on one of their
selected questions.
Evaluation and Extension
Evaluation: Teacher will observe students during steps 1-4
and keep anecdotal records of participation. A rubric will be used
to evaluate the first person narratives.
Extensions: 1.Students will examine personal narratives
from the American Life Histories collection and will idenify cultural
components and contributions.
2. Students will interview and photograph local people (at least
two generations older) in order to create a presentation entitled,
"Voices of Our People."
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jtobias@hotmail.com or srolguin@hotmail.com
July 23, 1999