Start a NEW Tradition: Oral History as an Integrated Historical Inquiry and Language Arts Project in the Middle School Classroom

• In Event: OHA Poster Session and Project Bazaar

Abstract

Oral History tends to be a pedagogy used by adult for adults. This project shows Educators working with Teacher Candidates or middle school students (Grades Five to Eight) how to collect family oral history in an integrated historical thinking and language arts inquiry approach which foregrounds the stories families tell each other as the start of a deep learning opportunity. Educators will see the multiple ways oral history can be used to add a human dimension and a personal connection to a ‘big idea’ under study or as a larger and longer project culminating in a curated collection of family stories. In both cases, collecting family oral histories will be shown to be a best practice for encouraging inquiry processes related to historical thinking, engaging in complex language use around listening and writing as well as fostering powerful inter-generational and community bonds.
Included in the project presentation will be aspects that make oral history ‘do-able’ for the elementary teacher. These include; how to choose the most feasible approach for your curriculum; how to generate questions around a useful categorization of different types of oral history stories; how to conduct family interviews; how to use the stories to think historically and generate further inquiry; how to use the writing process to a create curated collection of oral history stories; along with rubrics for assessment. Fabulous student created books (hand sewn, hard cover) will also be on display.

Author

• Barbara Mary Brockmann, Ottawa Carleton District School Board