11th Grade Social Studies & History Lectures

1950s & 60s: Conformity or Rebellion (Counter-culture)?

By Sarah Austin

Students will go back into time (1950s & 60s) and;

  • Analyze primary sources & make conclusions about various events. 
  • Recognize how American life and culture changed throughout the decade.
  • Identify specific examples of ‘conformity’ and ‘counter-culture’ & its’ causal relationships. 

FOUR Optional Historical Thinking activities include;

CHOICE #1: Analyze 1950s T.V shows/commercials

  • How does this TV show define or portray family?
  • In what ways does the show reinforce cultural codes or stereotypes of the American Family?
  • What messages or underlying themes does the TV show mostly want its viewers to understand? How do you know?

CHOICE #2: Debate Women’s Beauty Pageants

  • How does this TV show define or portray family?
  • According to this source, why are some women protesting the ‘Miss World Beauty Pageant’?
  • Be prepared to analyze a statement on the next slide, & formulate a supporting argument.

CHOICE #3: Compare teenagers Pre-WWII V. 1950s

  • Analyze primary sources that depict teenagers before World War II and in the 1950s.
  • For each set of images, you will consider the questions & draw comparisons.

CHOICE #4: Consumer Simulation- Sears Catalog

  • Ss will go back into time (1956) & will have purchased a brand new Levittown home! Upon moving to the suburbs, they will need to fill their home with clothes & furniture using the Sears Catalog. Be careful with the budget as life events & circumstances can change!

This Resource Includes:

  • Teacher Reference Guide
  • 66 Google Slide Presentation & Guided Notes (Answer Key)
  • Four Optional Extension Activities
  • Sears Catalog

If you liked this lesson see other related lessons & activities here:

  • Protest Movements of the 1960's: E-Chapter Textbook Project
  • César Chavez: Analyzing Primary Sources
  • The Cold War and Vietnam
  • Hot War Turns into the Cold War
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