Grade 3 Fall History - Local History and Landmarks: The Stories of THIS Place
Lesson 8 50 min hist.g3.f.lesson_08

Source Type 3 - Conducting an Oral History Interview

Skills targeted
Objectives
  • Students learn the 6-question Local History Interview protocol.
  • Students practice consent-first recording.
Vocabulary
oral historyinterviewelderconsenttranscribequote

Lesson plan

Warm-up

5 min

Listen to one 60-second StoryCorps elder clip.

Teacher moves
  • Honor the elder's voice
  • Affirm: this is primary source
Media
M-3-F-HIS-08-B Audio Physical / non-image

60-second sample clip from the StoryCorps Great Questions archive (educational license). Adult voice describing a local-place memory in clear, accessible language. Transcript available. Source line: 'StoryCorps Great Questions archive, educational use.' Selected to model what an oral history sounds like.

Direct instruction

14 min

Today we meet Source Type 3: ORAL HISTORY. We extend the G1-Fall family interview and G2-Spring migration interview into a 6-question LOCAL HISTORY INTERVIEW with a community elder. The elder may be a family member, a neighbor, a longtime resident, a retired civic figure, or a historical society volunteer. The 6 questions: (1) How long here? (2) What CHANGED? (3) What STAYED THE SAME? (4) What story should children know? (5) What place has a story behind it? (6) What would your plaque say? Always RECORD with consent.

Key examples
  • Listen carefully. Repeat back.
    model 'What is one thing about this place that has CHANGED since you were a child?'
    prompt Practice asking Question 2 with a partner.
Checks for understanding
  • Name the 6 questions.
  • Why consent first?
Sourcework
Source type
Sample StoryCorps recording + Bolden Maritcha as historic child-voice oral history
Routine
ORAL-HISTORY-LISTEN-NOTICE-WONDER-SOURCE
Media
M-3-F-HIS-08-A Chart
5x7 laminated card with 6 questions in 18pt: (1) How long have you lived in this place? (2) What is one thing about THIS

5x7 laminated card with 6 questions in 18pt: (1) How long have you lived in this place? (2) What is one thing about THIS place that has CHANGED since you were a child? (3) What is one thing about THIS place that has STAYED THE SAME? (4) What is one story about this place that you think children today should know? (5) What is one place or building or street name in our town that has a story behind it? (6) If you could put a plaque on one place in our town, what would it say? Footer: 'Record with permission. Listen carefully. There is no wrong answer.'

Guided practice

16 min
Tasks
  • Practice 6-question protocol with a classroom partner.
  • Sign and review the consent form for take-home interview.

Formative assessment

4 min
Exit ticket
  • Name the 6 interview questions. Who will you interview?
scoring Both = mastery

Closure

4 min
Moves
  • Distribute take-home interview kit
  • Preview: tomorrow we transcribe

Homework

15 min
Tasks
  • Interview a community elder with consent. Record. Bring back one quote.

Exercises in this lesson

hist.g3.f.his.oral_history_local.ex_01
Plan your interview: (1) Who will you interview? (2) When? (3) How will you record (phone, recorder, dictation)? (4) Have you obtained consent?
 interview planning · diff 2

Differentiation

Scaffolds
  • Pre-printed question card
  • Recorded audio of each question
Extensions
  • Add a 7th question of your own
English Learners
  • Bilingual interview card
  • Bilingual consent form
Ieps 504s
  • Adult-supported interview
  • Sign-language interpreter where needed

Teacher notes

PROTOCOL: consent is non-negotiable. Send the consent form home in the take-home kit. ALTERNATIVE: historical-society oral-history archive recording for any child whose community-elder contact is not possible. Counselor on call. Teacher Localization Note: provide the historical-society archive URL or contact for the alternative protocol.