Postwar Prosperity: The Origin of the Teenager

Social Studies American History The United States in the 20th Century Postwar Prosperity: The Origin of the Teenager
Students brainstorm names of rock & roll artists from the 1950s and 60s. Then they make a chart summarizing three main causes of the concept of a teen-ager. Next they prepare a case study of the life of a mid-century teenager in three stages: preparing questions, conducting an interview, writing the study. Finally they evaluate their work with a rubric.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

1:1 Devices
Teacher Pack

The Pack contains associated resources for the learning experience, typically in the form of articles and videos. There is a teacher Pack (with only teacher information) and a student Pack (which contains only student information). As a teacher, you can toggle between both to see everything.

Here are the teacher pack items for Postwar Prosperity: The Origin of the Teenager:

Preview - Scene 1
Exploros Learnign Experience Scene Navigation


Overview

In this experience, students brainstorm names of rock & roll artists from the 1950s and 60s. Then they make a chart summarizing three main causes of the concept of a teenager. Next they conduct research on the life of a mid-century teenager in three stages: preparing questions, conducting the research, creating a presentation. Finally they evaluate their work with a rubric.

There is no quiz at the end of the experience. Instead, students will self-evaluate their work using a rubric. The rubric is available in the Student Pack for students to review before they begin work on their case study.

Estimated duration: The duration varies depending on how long you want to allow for the research and the development of the presentations. You may also choose to have each group present its case study orally to work on ELAR skills to plan, research, and orally present topics.

Vocabulary words:

  • compulsory
  • vocational
  • supervise

Objectives

  • Describe the period of economic prosperity after World War II
  • Prepare a case study of a teenager in the 1950s or 1960s


Engage


After World War II ended, the United States entered a period of prosperity, or strong economic growth. Many returning service members used government benefits from the GI Bill to attend college, learn job skills, or help buy homes. Factories that had produced military supplies during the war began making more consumer goods, such as cars and household appliances.

Many families also began buying homes and having children. The large increase in births after the war became known as the “baby boom.” However, not all Americans had equal access to the new opportunities of the postwar years, and discrimination continued to limit opportunities for many families.

In this experience, you will learn about one part of postwar prosperity: how economic and social changes affected the lives of teenagers.

Objectives

  • Describe the period of economic prosperity after World War II
  • Prepare a case study of a teenager in the 1950s or 1960s


photograph of rock & roll singer Chuck Berry holding his electric guitar

Chuck Berry, considered the “Father of Rock & Roll”


Recall that jazz arose in the United States following World War I. Another music form arose in the United States following World War II—rock & roll.


Name a rock & roll band or singer who was popular in the 1950s or 1960s. To list multiple names, separate them with a comma like this: guitar, drums.

Post your answer

Sample answers: Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Beatles, Rolling Stones

Ask students: How did rock & roll reflect the general mood in the United States following World War II? Early rock & roll is known for its bouncy, fun mood. The general mood in the country was one of euphoria as the United States emerged from the war into a period of prosperity and world power.


When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.


End of Preview
The Complete List of Learning Experiences in The United States in the 20th Century Unit.
Social Studies American History The United States in the 20th Century Shifting Demographics
Shifting Demographics
Social Studies American History The United States in the 20th Century Continuity and Change in a New Century
Continuity and Change in a New Century
Social Studies American History The United States in the 20th Century The Great Depression
The Great Depression
Social Studies American History The United States in the 20th Century The United States in the 20th Century: Review
The United States in the 20th Century: Review
Social Studies American History The United States in the 20th Century Postwar Prosperity: The Origin of the Teenager
Postwar Prosperity: The Origin of the Teenager
Social Studies American History The United States in the 20th Century World War I and the Changing Role of Women
World War I and the Changing Role of Women
Social Studies American History The United States in the 20th Century The U.S. as a World Power
The U.S. as a World Power
Social Studies American History The United States in the 20th Century The Civil Rights Movement
The Civil Rights Movement
Social Studies American History The United States in the 20th Century The United States in the 20th Century: Vocabulary
The United States in the 20th Century: Vocabulary
Social Studies American History The United States in the 20th Century The Rise of Technology
The Rise of Technology
Social Studies American History The United States in the 20th Century Fighting Heroes of World War II
Fighting Heroes of World War II
Social Studies American History The United States in the 20th Century World War II
World War II
Would you like to preview the rest of this learning experience, and get access to the entire functioning American History course for your classroom? Sign up using your school email address below.
Back to top