Oral History and Social History
Evaluation

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[Detail] Charles Todd at the recording machine

Lesson Evaluation

1. Ask each student to write a brief essay on one of the following topics:
   • What was the most significant change in the lives of everyday Americans identified by your research? What evidence did you find of this change? What other sources might you consult to confirm the significance of this change?
   • Why do you think oral history is a useful tool for understanding the past? What are oral history's strengths? What are its limitations?
2. Students can work in their groups to create museum displays on their social history topics. Displays should:
   • illustrate significant changes in the lives of everyday Americans identified by the group's research;
   • provide evidence in support of those changes (such as excerpts from class interviews and the American Life Histories collection, artifacts, and information from other sources).