Explain a strategy from the "25 Strategies for K-8 Inquiry-Based Learning

Integrating Language !rts and So"ial Studies"###

Strategy $2 %ral &istories in the 'urri"ulum
!n oral history is a (ideo or taped response from a friend or family
mem)er* prefera)ly a grandparent# Students may as+ questions
su"h as
,ell me a)out your "hildhood gro-ing up###
.hat -as s"hool li+e in your nati(e "ountry/
.hat traditions did you ha(e -hen you -ere a "hild/
0es"ri)e your family# .hat did your parents do for a li(ing* did
you ha(e any si)lings/ !ny pets/ Best friends/
&o- -as life different from today/ .hat -ere some in(entions
during your lifetime/
.hat -as the saddest thing that happened that you remem)er/
.hat -as a happy moment in your life that you -ant to share/
"In"orporating inter(ie-s and oral histories in the "lassroom is an
ex"ellent -ay to )ring rele(an"e and life to the so"ial studies
"urri"ulum####and "an further their understanding of "ultural
uni(ersals* -hi"h "an* in turn* pro(ide personal rele(an"e and
promote relationships -ith the "ommunity and a"ross the
generations#" 1p# 223
%ral &istories pro(ide "urri"ulum for the follo-ing so"ial studies
strands
2# Strand I 'ulture
2# Strand II ,ime* "ontinuity* "hange
4# Strand I5 Indi(idual de(elopment and identity
!dditionally* "the 67irst-(oi"e6 nature of an oral history pro(ides a
forum for a true di(ersity of experien"e* thoughts and opinions#"
1p# 283
It is easier no- for students to (ideo tape no- that iphones and
ta)lets ha(e a (ideo appli"ation# .hen I -as in primary s"hool* no
one any of these or e(en a (ideo "amera#
9y mother +ept a :ournal of many of her life experien"es*
ho-e(er* I -ish I had her on (ideo no- that she has passed# It has
)een 4 years no-* and sadly* I +no- some of her mannerisms are
lost from my memory# 9y father ne(er -rote do-n his
experien"es* )ut told many stories a)out his time in the military as
a pilot# !gain* no (ideo* and no -ritten a""ount#