1950's Socio-Cultural Mini Documentary

1950’s America Flip Video Mini-Documentaries

Task:
Students are going to create mini-documentaries, using the Flip Video recorders that detail certain aspects of life during the 1950’s in America. The documentaries need to be historically accurate, original to the students, creative, storyboarded, have scenery and costumes, and have a script with dialogue and actions. The documentaries should focus on the topic and its social and cultural impact during this time period. Be creative and funny.

Documentaries:
-GI Bill and Suburbs
-Baby Boom
-Women in home and workforce
-African-Americans
-Leisure and Sports
-Automobile Culture
-Atom Bomb
-Rock ‘n’ Roll and Beat Movement
-Braceros
-Consumerism

Resources:
-Chapter27 in textbook (Atom Bomb is in Chapter 26)
-Internet
-Library books

Requirements:
-Storyboard
-Script
-Costumes and Scenery
-Everyone’s Participation
-Historical Accuracy

Timeline: Day 1: Organize and Research, Day 2: Research and Storyboard, Day 3: Script and Scenery, Day 4: Shoot, Day 5: Edit and Present

Rubric: 50 Points

Storyboard

5 Points
Students create a storyboard that outlines their documentary and direction
Script


12.5 points
Students develop a thorough script that includes stage direction and highlights the social and cultural impact of their topic
Costumes and Scenery


10 points
Students create scenery and costumes that accentuate their documentary (You do not have to tailor complete outfits, but if you have something, use it)
Historical Accuracy


12.5 Points Students’ documentary is accurate and precise. They coherently highlight the subjects’ affect on America’s social history.

Participation

10 Points
Students are on task and focused the entire time. They work on the project for homework. They are positive and productive with other team members.