Objective
By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to understand and discuss various aspects of American history through the lens of the American Girl Dolls.
Materials and Prep
- American Girl Doll of choice
- Access to American Girl Doll books or online resources
- Notebook or paper
- Pen or pencil
Prior knowledge of the American Girl Doll and basic understanding of American history is helpful but not required.
Activities
- Choose an American Girl Doll from the collection and research her historical background. Read books or explore online resources to learn about the time period she represents.
- Write a short summary of the historical context in which the doll's story takes place. Include key events, important figures, and social or cultural aspects of the time period.
- Create a timeline of major events in American history, incorporating the doll's story as a reference point. Include at least five significant events that occurred during the doll's era.
- Using the doll as inspiration, design and create a diorama or visual representation of a significant event or scene from the doll's historical period. Write a brief explanation of the chosen scene and its significance.
- Present your research, timeline, and diorama to a family member or friend, explaining the historical context and the doll's story. Encourage discussion and questions.
Eighth Grade Talking Points
- "American Girl Dolls provide a unique way to explore and learn about different periods in American history."
- "By researching the historical background of the doll and its associated books, we can gain insights into the social, cultural, and political aspects of the time period."
- "Creating a timeline helps us understand the chronological order of events and how they relate to the doll's story."
- "Designing a diorama allows us to visually represent a significant event or scene, helping us to better understand its importance and impact."
- "Presenting our research and findings to others helps us develop our communication skills and allows for further discussion and learning."