This week in Pop Culture, we explored American culture from the 1930s through the 1960s. Throughout the week, we examined what life looked like during the Great Depression, World War II, and the rise of teen culture. Students learned through a variety of lectures, hands-on activities, discussions, debates, and films that captured the spirit of each era, including Cinderella Man, A League of Their Own, Grease, and Hairspray.
Our daily projects complemented these topics and sparked thoughtful conversations about how our society has evolved over time. On Monday, students created murals inspired by the public works murals of the 1930s, illustrating the progress, values, and defining characteristics of their hometowns. They also designed their own 1950s-style yearbook pages, imagining the roles they might have played in a high school from that era.
This week also served as a great continuation of our first week together, during which we explored American culture from the mid-1800s through the 1920s. Students enjoyed films such as Gone with the Wind, The Prestige, and The Great Gatsby. These films led to engaging discussions about changing fashion, technological advancements, and the ways culture has continually shaped American life. Our projects reflected these themes as well, with students carving their own wooden stamps and even building working telegraph transmitters and receivers.
Alongside our daily lessons, students have continued preparing for our bracket-style debate tournament, Pop Madness. Each student was assigned a topic within one of four categories (people, events, items, or media) and has been researching and defending why their topic has had the greatest impact on modern American culture. We have now completed the first two rounds of debates, and every student has done an outstanding job researching, constructing evidence-based arguments, and responding with thoughtful rebuttals.
One of the highlights of the week was our field trip to Nashville on July 1. Students explored several parts of the city’s media and entertainment industries, beginning with a visit to the Hatch Show Print Shop, where they learned about the history of screen printing, poster design, and pop art. They even had the opportunity to create and take home their own print. The day continued with a backstage tour of the Ryman Auditorium before exploring Music Row, where students gained a deeper appreciation for Nashville’s rich musical history and its lasting influence on the entertainment industry.
Next week, we’ll wrap up our journey through the decades by exploring the 1970s through the early 2000s. Students will also complete our class mural and finish the final rounds of Pop Madness to determine which topic has had the greatest influence on modern American culture. We can’t wait to see how the debates end!
