The 1950s: A Decade of Fun, Excitement, and Individuality!

 

1950's Music

1.   Rock ‘n Roll:   Explain the birth of rock 'n' roll in 2-3 sentences.  What were the top two singles of the 1950's?
 

2.   Preacher Against Rock 'n Roll: Why is this preacher against rock 'n roll music?  Do you think music persuades teenagers to rebel?  Why or why not? 

3.  Opinion: Why do you think Rock 'n Roll music had such and impact?

4.  Mr. Sandman:  What is your reaction to this music? Is this something you would listen to? Why or why not?

1950's Movies

5.  East of Eden:   Why do you think this movie was filmed at such weird angles?  What is James Dean's character discussing with his father?

6. Rear Window: Rear Window is one of Alfred Hitchcock's most famous films. Describe Grace Kelly's dress from the movie.  What do you think happens next?

7. Cinderella: How do you think this movie impacted the popularity of Disney films?

1950's Language 

8. Slang: Name and give a definition for two slang terms that you found interesting from the 1950s.

9.  Name at least two slang terms that we still use today. 
 

1950's Inventions:

10. Hula Hoop: Where was the idea for the hula hoop born?  Why was it so popular in the 1950s?

11.  Polio Vaccine: When was the vaccine discovered? Why was this discovery so important?

1950's Economy:

12.  Money: What was the cost of a house during the 1950s? What was the average income per year?

1950's Pop Culture

13.   Fads and Fashion: Name and explain three fads or trends from the 1950s.

 

1950s Popular Culture Additional Resources 

Station 1: Science, Technology, and Medicine 

Station 2: Social critics, nonconformists, and cultural rebels 

• "The Hypnotic Eye" video clip 
• "Howl" trailer 

Station 3: TV

• "Leave It to Beaver" Clip
• "I Love Lucy" Clip 
• "Elvis Presley" Clip

Station 4: Life as a Teenager

Station 4: Sports

• Jackie Robinson
• Rocky Marciano
• Yogi Berra

Ellis Island Primary Sources: 

  Directions: Use the links below to complete your graphic organizer...

Ellis Island Artifacts

• Find an inspection card here
• Find a female passenger's passport here
• Find a family passport here 

Personal Items

• Find a personal telegram at this link
• Find a deportation letter here

Official Paperwork 

• Search through a "Declaration of Intent" at this link
• Note, specifically, the pledge each immigrant must make to join the United States
• Think about how this affects the immigrant experience

Ship-Related Artifacts

• Click on this link for a Ship Manifest from Ellis Island...
• If you have difficulty reading the ship manifest, find a typed version here 
• Take note of people’s occupations, ability to read/write, who they are joining in the US, etc.  AND think about the implications this has for these immigrants
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