CHC2PUnit: 1950-1983

High School and the Teenage Experience

Use p.12-13 to find the following information.

  1. The problem with students:

-read the “problems” a university professor complained about in 1953. What do you think the stereotyped “problems” are with teens today? In other words, what criticisms of your age group are common today?

Stereotyped “problem” in the 1950s
-cannot read
Stereotyped “problem” in 2010 / Also a “problem” in the 1950s list? (Yes or No) / Do you agree this is a problem with teens today? (Yes or No)
-cannot read / Yes / No – literacy rates are high
-immature / No
  1. THOSE SCHOOL DAY BLUES:

-fill-in the blanks on the next page according to the Scrapbook

-explain the meaning of the blank in your own words

-How often does this happen today? Use the rating system below (0-5) to fill-in the rating column.

Doesn’t happen at all------→Happens all the time

0 ------→ 5

Passage from the Scrapbook
(fill-in the blanks) / What does this mean? (your own words) / Rating of how often this still happens
(1 - 5)
We had to line-up outside the ______to get in
We had to line-up outside the ______to get in
We had to line-up when the ______went at the end of a class
Having to move around all the time made us feel ______. The ______method of teaching, with the teacher standing at the front of the room and the class ______listening, didn’t help.
The ______had control of the class; to ask a question, the student ______his ______and hoped the teacher would pick up on it.
Kids were forbidden to ______to one another in class.
Education: A system whereby ______passes from the teacher’s text through the student’s ______and unto his notes, without crossing the ______of either.
  1. Some Rules:

There are a number of school rules listed. List the top 3 rules you are glad DO NOT exist in today’s education system. Explain why it is good they are now gone.

  1. ______

______

  1. ______

______

  1. ______

______

4. On average, how much time was expected to be spent on homework? ______hours a day.

5. Students’ timetables were determined by their optional courses and students were streamed into 3 different paths of options: languages, ______or ______subjects.

6. Every ______weeks students could go to a school dance. Were these dances popular? ______

7. Read the “Cast of Characters” that describes different social groups in high schools in the1950s. Name 3 groups that still exist at this school.

a)______

b)______

c)______

Name 3 groups that exist at this school that did not exist in the 50s.

a)______

b)______

c)______

8. Read the report card subjects and summary. Would your report card be better or worse in the ‘50s compared to today? Justify your response.

Teenagers: A New Generation

Use p.14-15 in the Scrapbooks to answer the questions below.

9. Elvis Presley amazed both young and old with his ______performance, slicked-back hair, gold suit, ______lyrics and pounding ______and ______beat. In 1956, Elvis appeared on the Ed Sullivan show (a popular show that highlighted up and coming performers) but was shown only from the ______up to avoid ______the television audience.

10. Discovery of the Teenager: By 19___ there were ______boys and girls between the ages of ______and ______. With jeans jangling with more than $______a year, Canada’s teenagers offered an exciting ______to merchants and big ______.

10b) What businesses would ‘50s teens have supported (think of two)? ______

10c) What businesses do lots of teens support today (think of three)?

______

11. Weekend Activities: Categorize popular teen weekend activities into the organizer below:

Weekend Activity / Rank order in the order you would like to participate in these activities

11b) Think about your own weekend activities. Which lifestyle do you think is more appealing? Mine / 50s (circle one) Which lifestyle do you think is healthier? Mine / 50s / equal (circle one)

12. Dating: “Going ______” was a guaranteed date but “breaking up”, especially in the summer, was equally popular. “Making up” or finding a new steady was just as common in the ______. A few teenagers went steady until ______.

12b) Do these same trends apply today?

-school year boy/girlfriends: Yes / No (circle one) Why/Why Not?

______

-dating steady until marriage: Yes / No (circle one)

______

13. Read the section entitled, “Reaction to Rock – 1955”.

13a) What music did this source feel would never be replaced by rock and roll? ______and ______. Which, of the 3, lasted longer? ______.

13b) What type of music did the source feel was making a comeback? ______Did that type of music overtake rock and roll’s popularity? Yes / No (circle one)

13c) Why do you think that performers like Elvis Presley and The Beatles were so popular with young people in the 50s and 60s?