Eyewitness to History:Oral Histories
A Sample Curriculum Guide

Concept
Applied Knowledge, Research

Objectives
Analyze, interpret and conduct research using oral histories and acquired knowledge. Define social history and formulate questions about social history topics and leadership characteristics.

Background
Oral history is the retelling of historical events as seen through the eyes of a witness. These firsthand accounts are of dire importance because they uncover truths and reveal details that would otherwise be lost.

Eyewitness to History
Oral Histories for Elementary and Middle School

Materials
Activity Sheets 6 and 7
Interview Candidate
Website:http://rs6.loc.gov/ammem/ndlpedu/lessons/oralhist/ohteach.html
Research Materials

Activity
1. Present students with the questions, "What do you think of when you hear the words history and leadership?"
2. Poll the class to see what the results are and chart multiple answers. How many students identified anything that is closely related to or affects them, i.e., town election, grandfather, community members. Determine if leadership plays a role in history.
3. Identify that there are history makers within their own community and sometimes within students' families. Provide some examples.
4. Break students up into groups of two or more. Propose that each group is going to record history, just as the hieroglyphics recorded Egyptian history. Explain that each group will be recording the history of a community member, family member or friend that experienced World War Two.
5. Each group is to identify a number of people whom they can interview. Possible interview subjects should not be limited to those who served overseas, but may include the children of World War Two.
6. Once an interview candidate has been selected, the students are to contact the candidate and ask for permission to interview and present a brief questionnaire (Activity Sheet 6 ) to the subject to gather basic knowledge.
7. Using this information, students are then to research more about the activities, events and time that the candidate has detailed.
8. Through this, students will then develop more in-depth, well thought out questions for the interview. The questions may be derived from the students interest, as well as historical data collection. (Utilize Activity Sheet 7 as a guide.)
9. Once the questions have been approved, students are to set up an interview time, with help from the school staff. (I have found that it works best to have the candidate come to the school, if possible.) Interviews can be conducted over the phone, Internet, off-site (if family). The use of a tape recorder is recommended.
10. Once all the data has been recorded, students can transcribe all data and develop a file on their candidate. All folders are then placed together to create the beginning or continuation of an Oral History Archive.
11. Younger students may want to research a famous person in World War Two history and have fellow students interview them in character. Students can research a their chosen historical figure and take on their character in costume or just pretending to be the historical figure.

ACTIVITY SHEET 6
Eyewitnesses to History

Date: ___________________________

Name: _______________________________________________

Phone Number: _______________________________

Address: _____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

Date of Birth: _____________________________

Current Occupation: _________________________________

Occupation during _____________________________________

Describe your experiences, briefly, during the _______________.

Where would you rather be interviewed? Home? ________ Office: ________ At School: ___________

Please return to:

Name: _______________________________________________

School: ______________________________________________

School Address: _______________________________________

ACTIVITY SHEET 7
Eyewitness to History

Questions for an interview.

"I believe I was an Eyewitness to History because I was there when…"

______________________________________________________

1. What role did you play in this event?

2. How did you feel about what happened?

3. How old were you during this time?

4. Where did this happen?

5. When did this happen?

6. What is leadership to you? How did it play a part in this event?

7. How do you feel about the event now?

8. What is your most vivid memory of this time?