Examines a historian's experiences and impressions gained while interviewing the immigrant generation in a community of Jewish chicken farmers in Petaluma, California. Information is presented on the differences in attitudes and aspirations between generations, interview techniques, problems of interviewer credibility, and problems of…

Presents a lesson plan on the San Antonio River missions. Suggests that students will learn about the role of Spanish missions in the history of the Southwest, the psychological and cultural factors that led Indians to accept mission life, and Spanish contributions to agriculture through irrigation systems. Includes student readings, maps, and…

In order to gather information detailing the extent and effectiveness of oral history projects in public libraries, questionnaires were sent to public libraries in 11 states that listed "oral history" among their resources in the American Library Directory, and to a small number of other libraries in these states with oral history…

This paper reports on field research conducted by students in undergraduate methods courses for secondary social studies in 1996-97. Journal entries, lesson plans, oral history reactions, and interviews were used to gather data. Objectives were: to describe the role of the interviewer in an oral history setting; and to identify and clarify the…

A proposal to establish a Living Historical Farm in celebration of the Bicentennial is included. (DE)

This Social Science Docket theme issue focuses on teaching local history and included theme and non-themed articles, lesson plans, learning activities, and book, movie, and museum reviews designed for K-12 social studies teachers. Articles and materials in this issue are: "Editing Is Not Censorship" (Alan Singer); "Teachers Respond…

The oral history activities in Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Bolivia are not yet near the point where they can rival the impressive oral history projects carried out in Mexico, Cuba, and Brazil. (RM)

To focus only on collecting traditional forms of folklore can mean missing important forms of oral history and literature. Stories from French Louisiana are used to illustrate the continuing tradition of oral literature in the region and the way in which oral history is altered for the listener's entertainment. (IS)

This booklet is presented as a guide for students undertaking oral history projects for a class assignment. The students were to search for people attending one-room schools or other early schools in Bartholomew County Indiana from the late 1800s to the 1950s. The suggestions given in the booklet are to help in developing questions and presenting…

Reproductions of 19 photographs that document some of the families and history of the African-American community in Bloomington, Indiana, from about 1870 to 1920, are contained in this paper. The paper discusses the use of photographs in historical inquiry, and posits that the photographic image carries the power of witness to past peoples and…

Scholars of Chicano history have been negligent in using oral history as a research tool whereas colleagues in other disciplines (e.g., Manuel Gomio, Paul Taylor, Oscar Lewis, and Americo Paredes) have used the technique extensively. The growing list of oral history projects since the early 1970's argues well for the greater use of oral history…

Describes a program sponsored by Newberry Library, Chicago, which aims to revitalize the study of community and family history through workshops which teach research techniques to librarians, teachers, and historical society activists. Case studies of successful family autobiography projects are presented. (Author/DB)

Completing the trilogy of local Amityville history written entirely by high school students using interviews, local newspapers, and documents, this journal contains 11 articles discussing the social, political, cultural, and educational scene of the community. The articles are: "De Facto Segregation in the Amityville School…

Designed to supplement the conventional textbook treatment of Louisiana history, this booklet of primary source material exposes junior high school students not only to history but to the events of those who lived it. Students develop an appreciation for the work and technical skills used in the writing of history and a sensitivity to history as…

Discusses how students research and publish self-guided walking tours under the guidance of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Assesses the educational value of the experience and suggests resources for creating a tour. Recommends strategies for researching ethnic neighborhoods, including the use of religious and secular institutions for…