12th Grade Critical Thinking Lectures

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