Title: The Roaring 20s: A Decade of Change and Contradictions

Grade Level: High School (9th-12th grade)

Objective: - Students will understand the major social, cultural, and economic changes that occurred during the 1920s. - Students will analyze the contradictions and tensions that existed during the Roaring 20s. - Students will evaluate the impact of the 1920s on American society and its lasting legacy.

Materials: - PowerPoint presentation - Handouts with primary sources (newspaper articles, photographs, advertisements, etc.) - Chart paper and markers - Internet access for research

Procedure:

1. Introduction (10 minutes)
   • Begin the lesson by asking students what they know about the 1920s. Write their responses on the board.
   • Show a brief video clip or display images that depict the cultural and social changes of the 1920s.
   • Explain that the 1920s were a time of great change and contradictions, often referred to as the Roaring 20s.
2. Historical Context (15 minutes)
   • Provide a brief overview of the historical context leading up to the 1920s, including World War I and the Progressive Era.
   • Discuss how the war and the Progressive Era set the stage for the changes that occurred during the 1920s.
3. Social and Cultural Changes (20 minutes)
   • Present a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the major social and cultural changes of the 1920s, such as the Jazz Age, the Harlem Renaissance, the rise of consumer culture, and the changing role of women.
   • Engage students in a class discussion about the impact of these changes on American society and the tensions they created.
4. Economic Changes (15 minutes)
   • Discuss the economic changes that occurred during the 1920s, including the rise of the stock market, the growth of industry, and the concept of mass production.
   • Explain how these economic changes contributed to the prosperity of the decade but also led to income inequality and the eventual stock market crash.
5. Primary Source Analysis (20 minutes)
   • Divide students into small groups and distribute handouts with primary sources from the 1920s.
   • Instruct students to analyze the sources and discuss the contradictions and tensions they observe.
   • Each group should select one source to present to the class, explaining its significance and the contradictions it represents.
6. Class Discussion (15 minutes)
   • Lead a whole-class discussion based on the primary sources presented.
   • Encourage students to share their observations, insights, and questions about the contradictions and tensions of the 1920s.
7. Impact and Legacy (15 minutes)
   • Discuss the lasting impact of the 1920s on American society, such as the Great Depression and the changing role of women.
   • Ask students to reflect on how the contradictions and tensions of the 1920s continue to shape American society today.
8. Culminating Activity (10 minutes)
   • Assign students a short research project on a specific aspect of the 1920s (e.g., Prohibition, the Scopes Trial, the flapper culture).
   • Students should research and present their findings in a creative format of their choice (poster, PowerPoint, skit, etc.).
9. Conclusion (5 minutes)
   • Summarize the key points discussed during the lesson.
   • Encourage students to continue exploring the impact and legacy of the 1920s in their own time.

Assessment: - Participation in class discussions and group activities. - Quality of analysis and presentation of primary sources. - Completion and presentation of the culminating activity.