Teen Culture in the 1950's
DIRECTIONS: Below are several sub-topics you will need to research on this issue. Each sub-topic has questions you need to answer, and all the sites on the "Resources" page have the information you need in order to answer the questions. However:
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WRITE YOUR ANSWERS IN YOUR OWN WORDS. |
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You do NOT have to write in complete sentences (yet), but make sure what you write down is clearly said. |
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(unless the question specifically asks for quoted material--meaning something you are writing down word for word from a web page) |
I highly recommend that you split up the sub-topics among your group members (divide and conquer!). SHARE the information you find with your group members because everyone needs to write down the information. If there are still things you are missing after everyone does their share, work together to find that missing information.
HOW TO TAKE NOTES: Write down your information according to the sub-topic you research (i.e., Write all the information you find on "Background on 'Teen' Culture" down in one section. IF YOU WANT, you can copy down the questions as well, but that is not necessary as long as you make sure to gather all the information the questions ask for.
Sub-Topics and Questions
Background on "Teen" Culture
Write a summary of how the idea of "teenager" came about in our country.
In the 1950's, what are some key things to know about how society viewed "teenagers?" Write a paragraph.
Based on your research and understanding of the "teenager" concept in the 1950's, what about teens (and how they were supposed to/expected to behave) is important to consider when thinking about the Little Rock crisis?
The Fads, the Fashions, and the Slang
Find out and write about 4 or 5 different fads or fashion statements that teenagers in the 1950's would have been interested in.
Find 4 or 5 slang words or phrases used by teenagers in the 1950's, define what they mean in plain English, and then translate them into a slang word or phrase from today.
Music and Television
Find out what the popular music was like in the 1950's. What trends in music were teenagers excited about?
Find out a little bit about Johnny Mathis and find a Johnny Mathis song. Why do you think Melba was so into Johnny Mathis?
What was television like in the 1950's? What television shows in particular did teenagers like and why?