Talkin' About My Generation

Title: Talkin' About My Generation

Author: Rene Ribant-Amthor

Grade Level: 9-12

Subject/Content: English/Research

Summary of Lesson: Students research notable figures from their generation and write a research paper illustrating the various figures' impact and influence on their generation.

Focus Question: Who helped shape the values, issues, traditions and norms of my generation?

Databases(s): Biography Resource Center

Procedures :

Teacher Preparation Planning:

1. Instruct students to choose two contemporary figures from each of the following categories: musicians, movie stars, celebrity icons (Paris Hilton), politicians, news worthy personalities (Scott Peterson, Jack Kevorkian), authors, and religious leaders. Their choices should reflect their own interests and personalities
2. Have students access the Biography Resource Center and search for each of their chosen figures. Instruct them to read at least one narrative biography and two magazine articles (tabbed at the top of search results) for each figure
3. Inform your students to focus their data collection on how these figures impact their generation's values, issues, traditions and norms. They should focus on slang terms, social commentary, leisure/entertainment/fun, and politics:

   Slang terms- have your students identify ten slang terms from their generation and who/how the terms originated. Ex. "That's Hot" Paris Hilton

   Social Commentary- instruct your students to identify two social issues as focal points for their paper. These focal points should be issues that they are dealing with. Encourage them to read the newspapers, talk to their friends, and focus on what people are talking and debating about. Possible topics could be the war, teenage cutting, health care in the United States, etc.

   Leisure/Entertainment/Fun- encourage your students to be honest with this one and record the things their generation does for fun. What is the average curfew? How much money do they spend on entertainment?

   Politics- have your students identify what they think are the current issues in politics and what are the effects on their generation?

   Remind your students that the figures they choose should connect to these categories and influence their responses to the prompts.

4. Once students have collected their date they should being drafting their research paper. They are responding to the prompt: Write a comprehensive research paper tracing one or more people who helped shape the values, issues, traditions, and norms of your generation?

Steps/Activities by student(s):

1. Choose two contemporary figures from each of the following categories: musicians, movie stars, celebrity icons (Paris Hilton), politicians, news worthy personalities (Scott Peterson, Jack Kevorkian), authors, and religious leaders
2. Access the Biography Resource Center and search for each of your chosen figures. Read at least one narrative biography and two magazine articles (tabbed at the top of search results) for each figure
3. Focus your data collection on how these figures impact your generation's values, issues, traditions and norms. You should focus on slang terms, social commentary, leisure/entertainment/fun, and politics
4. Begin drafting your research paper. You are responding to the prompt: Write a comprehensive research paper tracing one or more people who helped shape the values, issues, traditions, and norms of your generation?

Outcome:  Students will research people who have had notable influences on their generation. They will then explain these influences in a comprehensive research paper.

Related Activities: Students present the people they research, including their influences, to the class. Power Point slides including photos and other supporting tools/ information can be used during the presentation.

Standard Date: Approved 1998

Content Standard(s):

• NL-ENG.K12.1: Reading for Perspective
• NL-ENG.K12.2: Understanding the Human Experience
• NL-ENG.K12.3: Evaluation Strategies
• NL-ENG.K12.4: Communication Skills
• NL-ENG.K12.5: Communication Strategies
• NL-ENG.K12.6: Applying Knowledge
• NL-ENG.K12.7: Evaluating Data
• NL-ENG.K-12.8: Developing Research Skills
• NL-ENG.K-12.11: Participating in Society
• NL-ENG.K12.12: Applying Language Skills

Performance Indicators:

• At Level 1, the student is able to:
• Identify people who have influenced their generation
• At Level 2, the student is able to:
• Research these people and identify their individual contributions
• At Level 3, the student is able to:
• Communicate their findings through a research paper

Computer Literacy and Usage Standards 9-12:

• The student will demonstrate proficiency in the care and use of computer based technology
• The student will develop skills using a variety of computer resources to increase productivity, support creativity, conduct and evaluate research and improve communications
• The student will use technology resources to improve problem solving and decision-making skills and apply these skills to real world situations

ISTE NETS for Students

• Basic Operations and concepts
• Social, ethical, and human issues
• Technology communications tools
• Technology research tools

Information Power; Information Literacy Standards:

• Standard 1: The student who is information literate accesses information efficiently and effectively
• Standard 2: The student who is information literate evaluates information critically and competently
• Standard 3: The student who is information literate uses information accurately and creatively
• Standard 4:  The student who is an independent learner is information literate and pursues information related to personal interests
• Standard 6: The student who is an independent learner is information literate and strives for excellence in information seeking and knowledge generation
• Standard 7: The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and practices ethical behavior in regard to information and information technology