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Exploring Community Through Local History: Oral Stories, Landmarks and Traditions

Explore Your Community: A Community Heritage Poster for the ClassroomOverview

Students explore the local history of the community in which they live through stories, written and spoken; through landmarks such as buildings, parks, restaurants, or businesses; and through traditions such as food, festivals and other events of the community or of individual families. Students learn the value of local culture and traditions as primary sources. They relate stories, landmarks and traditions of their community to history, place and environment.

Objectives

Students will:

  • demonstrate knowledge of local history;
  • develop interview skills;
  • demonstrate knowledge of library research skills;
  • analyze, interpret, and conduct research with primary sources.

Time Required

Two weeks

Recommended
Grade Level

9 - 12

Curriculum Fit

American History, interdisciplinary with Language Arts, Art, and Music
Time period fit is 1920s and 1930s

Standards

McREL 4th Edition Standards & Benchmarks

Historical Understanding
Standard 2. Understands the historical perspective

Language Arts
Standard 4. Gathers and uses information for research purposes
Standard 8. Uses listening and speaking strategies for different purposes

Resources Used

Resources from the Library of Congress and other sources are available on the resources page.

Overview | Teacher's Guide | Resources

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Last updated 08/30/2005