In this activity, students will analyze the first page of a biography of a famous First Lady to determine who the document is about (Pat Nixon). In so doing, they will learn more about life in the United States in the early 20th century.
Suggested Teaching Instructions
In this activity, students will:
- Analyze a primary document
- Learn more about First Lady Pat Nixon
- Learn about life in the United States in the early 20th century
For grades 5-8. Approximate time needed is 15-30 minutes.
First Ladies, like the Presidents, come from many different walks of life. In this activity, students will study a page from First Lady Pat Nixon's biography to learn more about her early life and the life of many Americans during the 1920s and 1930s.
To begin, divide the students into pairs and ask them to read the document without clicking on "When You're Done." Encourage them to share their thought process as they look for clues to help identify the person described.
Depending on students’ abilities and prior knowledge, assign 3-10 minutes to examine the evidence. Assign 3-5 minutes for students to write a description of the evidence, their thought process, and their conclusions.
Instruct students to click on "When You're Done" after they've written out their evidence. Ask them to respond to the questions in that section as well.
Once all students have completed the activity, ask each pair to report both their thinking and their answers to the class. Encourage all students to think about how life has changed for Americans in the more than 100 years since Mrs. Nixon was born. Lead a class discussion using the following questions:
- What do you and Mrs. Nixon have in common?
- How are your lives different?
- What important events happened in the United States while Mrs. Nixon was growing up?
- Do you think her childhood experiences were unique or more common?
