Culminating Activity-Capturing History Through Postcards

To download this lesson in PDF format, click here.

Essential questions/enduring understandings:

• How does an individual’s personal record of history reflect a larger history?
• How does the “everyman’s” writing style and content reveal information about a local culture?
• How can we understand moments in history by “stepping into the shoes” of people from the past?
• How do the images chosen to be sent in communications reflect personal interpretations about important information about the current events of the time?

Assessment:  Students will be evaluated using Create your own postcard rubric.  Students will also self evaluate using Self Reflection on Unit.  This will be figured into the final assessment, as well as giving suggestions for teacher improvement.

Setting the Purpose:

Students will use the information learned about the use and historical relevance of postcards over the course of the unit to create a postcard of their own that reflects their personal, local and larger historical context.  Students will either need familiarity with Microsoft Publisher, or the teacher will take a few minutes to review how to use this program.

Duration:  2 class periods

Procedure:

• Write on the board this question: "What images do you think represent the time period or place that you live in?"
• Distribute the Create Your Own Postcard rubric.
• Explain that during this whole unit, they have been learning about how the postcard of the past gave a window into not only personal histories, but local and national history. Now it is their turn to reflect the history by creating a postcard that reflects the time period they live in.
• Show the two examples: London Postcard and Sweet Corn Card. Also show the London and Sweet Card Explanation Essay Examples. Use these items and Create Your Own Postcard rubric.

Part 2:
To end the unit, have students till out Self Reflection on Unit handout. It would be useful to have a classroom discussion after the handouts are completed.  

Analysis of local primary sources:

Students can use the examples given throughout the unit for a template for their project.

Ties to National primary source or sources:

Students can use the examples given throughout the unit for a template for their project.

Materials and resources:

Microsoft Publisher

Create your own postcard rubric

Any materials from the previous lessons can be used as reference in completing the project.

London Postcard

Sweet Corn Card

London and Sweet Card Explanation Essay Examples.

Self Reflection on Unit.