WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE FOR AMERICAN TEENS in the late 1940s and 1950s? Besides starting Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye, students will begin keeping a reader’s journal in response to the novel. We will also spend four days in the Library practicing research skills. We will return to our revision of the “values” essay once done in the Library; we will likewise begin discussing CITR once done with the 1950s library project.

Monday

Discussing Holden. What do you notice about Holden? He claims to be private and non-judgmental, but he clearly takes positions and talks extensively about what he believes and values. What does Holden reveal about himself? Can we take him at his word…why and why not? We will also begin watching the following 1953 Education film, “ The Age of Turmoil.”
HW: Read chapter three in CITR.

Tuesday

Meeting in Library room J for an orientation to the Winnetka Library. We will close today by having students find a book on America in the 1950s and sharing it on a book cart.
HW: Begin writing a response to the chapters 3-4 journal question (I know you haven’t read chapter four yet…that’s o.k..).

Wednesday

Review of academic integrity policy. What the school’s expectations relative to completing your school work fairly and honestly? After reviewing, students will sign off, confirming we discussed the issue. I’ll also collect your character/symbol assignment. I will likely have students share NT email addresses as well.
HW: Read chapter four in CITR.

Thursday

Introduction to the American Teenager in 1950s project. We will begin by having groups report out the author and title, abstract, and link. We will then talk about using visual evidence in a research report, watching a scene from, “A Date With Your Family” (1950)
HW: Make sure you have finished both the chapters 1-2 and chapters 3-4 journals for class on Friday.

Friday

Last day in the library. By the end of class, students should have gathered sufficient evidence to write a paragraph on each of the four sub-categories about teenagers in America: conformity, family life, success, and teens in specific. Next week, you will work in class to write a report, posting it online via a google sheet.
HW: Read chapters five and six of CITR. For these chapters, pay careful attention to where Holden goes, what he does while there, whom he talks to, and what he says about them when they’re gone. As with the previous ones, keep track of what we learn about Holden?