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America in the 1950s lesson plan

May 16, 2013 Ticia 6 Comments

There are many similarities between America in the 1950s and America in the 1920s.  Both times there was a sudden expansion of industry, technology, and in building.  All of the innovation that came about to help survive the war was now focused on improving the standard of living.

Towards that end, we did a fun little America in the 1950s page, because I knew if I read just the textbook the kids eyes would glaze over (here’s my simple America in the 1950s lesson plan)

 

America in the 1950s lesson plan

 

Goal of lesson: to compare the technology, dress, and lifestyle to our current time

Required materials: google serach for the images needed, paper dolls (link further in post)

 

America in the 1950s lesson

I printed and shrunk to a smaller size a paper doll boy and girl for the kids to color, 1950s paper doll.  It’s fun to compare how the fashions change over time, and we’ve really enjoyed making these guys.  Though their coloring of the people is sometimes a little amusing.

 

America in the 1950s lesson plan

Then came the part that really amazed them, we compared objects that became common household objects during this time then and now.  I did a quick google search and pulled up my pictures to use.

 

comparing technology 1950s and now

They were amazed at the size of the computer, the picture didn’t really give a scale frame of reference, so I compared it to the cordenza in our dining room, which takes up an entire wall.  The kids were much more amazed once they had that frame of reference.

 

America in 1950s notebook page

After we’d cut, glued, and discussed they all wrote things that were similar and different.  Some of their comparisons were rather inane, “we have blue cars now too.”  But, some were interesting to how they think, mostly about the phone and computer.

 

This lesson also brought about the great “No colored pencils for writing” rule.  I couldn’t read Superman’s writing in light green pencil.  You couple that with the discovery it’s not erasable, and you have compelling reasons not to write in colored pencil.

 

For more US history ideas check out my pinterest board:

US history ideas and activities to teach your kids

For most history and geography ideas check out these great blogs:

history modern history, United States history

Comments

  1. maryanne @ mama smiles says

    May 16, 2013 at 6:39 pm

    Isn’t it amazing that your smartphone now has oodles more memory than that massive computer?

    Reply
    • Ticia says

      May 17, 2013 at 8:15 am

      It really is. It also amazes me that my smart phone also has more memory and is faster than the computer my family had as a kid.

  2. Claire says

    May 17, 2013 at 1:14 pm

    I love their notepages and I really love the photo of your boys. Very cool!

    Reply
    • Ticia says

      May 18, 2013 at 9:29 am

      I do too! The photo is from our trip to Williamsburg and it was just perfect for that board cover.

  3. Julie says

    April 24, 2014 at 8:57 am

    Your notebook pages really inspired me! Beautifully done.

    Reply
    • Ticia says

      April 24, 2014 at 8:59 am

      Thank you!

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Ticia Adventures in Mommydom Hi, I'm Ticia! This is the adventures of my family in life and learning. Follow along with us as we share our adventures. We're having a lot of fun and learning as we go.

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