Introduction
rubric
The 1920's
in America was a period of opulence and excess that led to the inevitable
consequences of the 1930's and the Great Depression. Our romantic image of
the Jazz Age (Roaring Twenties) is heightened by the images of flappers, pin
striped suits, Model T's, the Charleston, Prohibition, and Speak Easies.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy
Definition: The 1920s in the United States, called “roaring” because of the exuberant, freewheeling popular culture of the decade. The Roaring Twenties was a time when many people defied Prohibition, indulged in new styles of dancing and dressing, and rejected many traditional moral standards. (See flappers and Jazz Age.)
How were
such romantic excesses of the Jazz Age reported at the time? How were
they viewed in such delightful duplicity, and how do we today explain the
Great Depression to which the Jazz Age led? In order to answer these
questions, you must know the culture of the day, "live" the times, and
"become" the people. As reporters of the Jazz Age Magazine, you and
your classmates will be able to assume the identities of 20's
correspondents. Your task will be to report the news as it happened.
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Tasks to Divide
2 Advertisements per person in the group (10-12)
1 Feature story done by each person in the group (5-6)
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A colorful, attractive magazine cover |
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A table of contents |
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Celebrity Gossip Column |
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Book and/or Music Review |
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Political Cartoons |
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Jokes and Cartoons |
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An Advice Section (Dear Abby) |
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A
Medical Advice Section
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Everything on the web is not free! One source we have here at the library is the American History Site. It contains dozens of reference books, articles, pictures, and information pertaining to the people and events in U.S. History. Do specific searches here : ex. "Henry Ford" Spelling is very important!
Once you have divided up the work among your 5 or 6 members in the group, you need to look together at several advertisements from the 1920's. Make sure you are including the fashions of the day and the major news events.
Your final project needs to be word-processed.
*Book resources will give you the most complete information for this project. Several of the 1920 books have wonderful advertisements and pictures that will be perfect for your magazine. Click on the Bibliography link here or at the top of this project page to access a listing of books which should be consulted.
As you look at the magazine you have produced, does it reflect the time period? The colorful figures, the daring departure from the normal, the richness, the lawlessness...and you can fill in the rest of the necessary adjectives. You'll be able to tell if you have captured the flavour of the time.
As you begin your project, use Kingwood College Library links for the 20's. (under the General 1920s links) You'll find many of the links are old and will not work at this site, but it still will offer you the best material and links for this project. This site will also give you a good overview before you begin.
You need to cover the following aspects of life in America as you create your magazine:
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Celebrities - see the names listed under the categories (music, art, film, inventions, etc.) |
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Events and People in News - Gangsters and G-Men, Prohibition, People and Events, also remember to look at the General Links including Kingwood links |
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Sports also include Kingwood links |
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Leisure and Recreation - includes the Arts, Music, and Literature of the decade - also include Kingwood links |
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Science and Technology and also include Kingwood links |
