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History and Memory Lesson 6: Research

Research as a Historian and as an Artist
07172012_EDU_hm6_LBJ-sworn-in_main.jpg
Judge Sarah T. Hughes (left foreground) shown administering the oath of office to Lyndon Baines Johnson at 2:38 p.m. aboard Air Force One. Photo by Cecil W. Stoughton, courtesy Lyndon Baines Johnson Library

Working in groups, students’ research a focus area of JFK’s Presidency, using both primary and secondary sources. Groups agree upon a research strategy, and select three to four images that best represent their research. Each group’s research is then presented to the class and images are displayed.

Suggested Time Frame:

Introduction to Assignment: 20 minutes
Student Research: 3-4 days
Presentations: 10 at 10 minutes each

Total time:  1-1½ weeks   

Objectives:

  • Students will strategize a research method that will work in a group context
  • Students will research one aspect of the Kennedy presidency and/or the assassination using primary and secondary sources
  • Students will apply perimeters to the gathering of visual materials
  • Students will select images that best represent or illustrate the focus of group research
  • Students will present research to the class in a concise and informative manner
 
Procedure
The Kennedy family moves into the White House, January 1961. Photo by Abbie Rowe, courtesy of the National Archives
The Kennedy family moves into the White House, January 1961. Photo by Abbie Rowe, courtesy of the National Archives

Handouts:

These handouts are in the Lesson PDF: 

6.01 Research: The Presidency of John F. Kennedy  6.06 Research: The First Lady and the Funeral
6.02 Research: The Cultural Climate of the Early Sixties6.07 Research: The Media
6.03 Research: The Kennedy Image 6.08 Research: The Assassins Oswald and Ruby
6.04 Research: The Political Climate of Dallas, November 19626.09 Research: The Eyewitnesses and Primary Evidence
6.05 Research: The Assassination 6.10 Research: The Theories
Oswald's midnight press conference on November 23. Journalists and their equipment jammed the hallways at Dallas police headquarters during the weekend following the assassination, disrupting the investigations into the murders of President Kennedy and Officer Tippit. Dallas Times Herald Collection, courtesy of The Sixth Floor Museum Archives
Oswald's midnight press conference on November 23. Journalists and their equipment jammed the hallways at Dallas police headquarters during the weekend following the assassination, disrupting the investigations into the murders of President Kennedy and Officer Tippit. Dallas Times Herald Collection, courtesy of The Sixth Floor Museum Archives

Group Research:

  1. Divide students into 10 groups. Each group should research one area of focus from the historical context section. Print out the handouts for each group.
  2. Allow time in class for students to look at the primary source photograph and discuss what they already know about the image and topic, as well as what interests them.
  3. Groups should devise a research strategy for their particular area of focus. They should plan who is going to obtain specific information from outside resources and websites. Groups will need to find enough information to answer the questions listed in their category.
  4. Groups must decide upon three or four images that best represent their research. The images can be primary or secondary sources, and they may include photographs, diagrams, advertisements, etc.
  5. After a set period of research time (suggested: 4 to 7 days) students should present their images and information to the whole class with each group working together to discuss the best way to concisely present their research.
  6. Allow time for questions after each group presents their information.
  7. Display all of the images on a wall and allow students time to ask additional questions about research areas.
 
Assessment

Warhol Education Rubrics

Click the Warhol Rubric headers below to reveal associated rubrics to which this lesson applies.

Communication
Creative Process
Historical Context