Looking at Photographs: Lesson

Relevant Standards: This lesson meets Michigan Content and Benchmark Standards for Social Studies: V:1 Information Processing, V:2 Conducting Investigations

Objective:

Students will practice finding and identifying historical evidence within images.  They will ask questions about the past and draw conclusions from the evidence present to learn about women’s roles, labor, and technology.  Students will analyze the information presented and synthesize with online information to compose a written report.

Activity:

1. Distribute or display the two images showing pickers harvesting fruit from the Fruit Belt.  (Image1) (Image2)

2. Have students complete section I of the worksheet provided, either in groups or individually. (worksheet with photos)  (worksheet without photos)

3. Discuss students’ initial reactions to the images in a group, drawing attention to the following: labor methods, materials, technological innovations, who is involved, dress style, etc.

4. Have students complete section II of the worksheet individually.

5. Students should explore www.michiganfruitbelt.org to help answer the questions raised in section II of the worksheet.  If necessary, have students complete the site tour worksheet prior to exploring the Oral History Archive.  Advanced students may utilize other resources, such as encyclopedias and other online sources to give more complete information when answering these questions.

6. Students should synthesize their research with the information presented in the worksheet for formulate a short report (1-2pgs, or 3 min oral).  Encourage students to use visual aids with their reports.

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WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY / FT. MIAMI HERITAGE SOCIETY OF MICHIGAN