Beacon Lesson Plan LibraryYou Wouldn't Understand...It's a Slang ThangLainie FerrellDescriptionThis lesson is designed to introduce students to the social life of the Roaring Twenties thru slang terms. This lesson can be adapted to any decade (see extra attachments).StandardsFlorida Sunshine State StandardsSS.A.5.4.4 The student understands social transformations that took place in the 1920's and 1930's, the principal political and economic factors that led to the Great Depression, and the legacy of the Depression in American society. Florida Process Standards Effective Communicators 02 Florida students communicate in English and other languages using information, concepts, prose, symbols, reports, audio and video recordings, speeches, graphic displays, and computer-based programs. Cooperative Workers 08 Florida students work cooperatively to successfully complete a project or activity. Materials- One copy each of letter (see attachment) and 1920's Slang Dictionary (see Web Link) for each student- pencil/pen for each student - paper for each student Preparations- Make each student a copy of the letter with slang terms from 1920's (see Attached File).- Access the 1920's slang dictionary online with the weblink listed, print out and make one copy for each student. - Make each student a copy of the checklist used for assessment (see Attached File). ProceduresNote: Before teaching this lesson, it is assumed that students have prior knowledge of the victorian era and the advances women have made from the 1880's-1920's.DAY ONE 1. Announce to students that today they will be traveling back in time to the Roaring Twenties where they will learn more about the culture of the decade using the language of that era. Tell them that they will then use the information that they will learn to help them compare and contrast 1880 society with that of the 1920's. 2. Pass out copies of friendly letter (see Attached Files) incorporating 1920's slang. 3. Allow students to work in pairs to decipher and rewrite the letter using modern language. (20-25 minutes) 4. Give time in class for students to share their interpretations of the letter. 5. Follow with a discussion of how each generation has its own "slang" and allow students to share examples from their own generation. 6. Pass out 1920's slang dictionary (see Web Link)and as a class decipher the letter passed out at the beginning of the period. DAY TWO 1. Review the lesson from Day One 2. Tell students to get out the copy of the 1920's dictionary of slang terms they were given the day before. 3. Pass out a copy of the checklist being used for assessment. 4. In order to assess their understanding of how society has been transformed since the Victorian Age, tell students that they will, in small groups (2-3) and using the slang language of the 1920s, write a letter from a flapper girl to her grandmother where she discusses how the times have changed, and compares the expectations of a young woman of the 1920s with that of generations past. 5. Review the checklist used for assessment with the class so that they will understand what to include. AssessmentsWorking cooperatively in small groups (2-3 students), formatively assess the student's ability to show an understanding of the social transformations that took place in the 1920's.To be acceptable, the letter should: -follow the appropriate format for a friendly letter, including an opening (to grandmother), body and closing (from flapper). -correctly incorporate at least 25 slang terms taken from the 1920's Slang Dictionary (see Web Link) -discuss three specific changes that have taken place since the 1880's that have had a significant impact on the 1920's. To be commendable, the letter should: -follow the appropriate format for a friendly letter, including an opening (to grandmother), body and closing (from flapper). -correctly use 18-24 slang terms taken from the 1920's Slang Dictionary (see weblink) -discuss two specific changes that have taken place since the 1880's that have had a significant impact on the 1920's. Extensions-Students can trade the letters they have written and decipher their meanings with modern language.-Students can create a caricature of a man or woman from the 1920's labeling the caricature with slang terms to identify what is shown Return to the Beacon Lesson Plan Library. |