1950s Teacher Resources

Learners examine the various domestic and international problems in the 1950s. They conduct research, write a script, and role-play a family discussing issues at the table at dinnertime in the 1950s.

Teens will get a kick out of this presentation, which provides a glimpse of the consumerism and rising pop culture of 1950's America. They will especially appreciate the discussion of "Teen culture" including the music of Elvis, the...

The threat of a Nuclear attack was very real for people in the 1950s. Share the hysteria, propaganda, and reasons behind this Cold War tactic gone overboard. A great presentation intended to build a context for understanding mid-century...

Take a closer look at "one of the most important periods of American social history: the 1950s," as well as the type of society that the civil rights movement would endeavor to change. This engaging video begins by detailing the era of...

The television and interstate highways both came of age in 1950s America. Scholars use film, text, and discussion to explore how these and other cultural icons shaped the literature of the time. Pupils also create a family history...

Students explore 1950's America. In this American history activity, students research the McCarthy hearings, Civil Rights, war fatigue, and economic issues of the decades. Students respond to discussion questions about topics.

Eleventh graders examine the cultural mood and politics of the 1950's in the United States. They read a section of their text and take notes, view a clip of the movie "Pleasantville" and discuss societal roles in the 1950's, and listen...

In this 20th century American history worksheet, students view video clips about the 1950's and complete the graphic organizer regarding popular culture during the decade.  

While the 1950s seemed to be a time of peace and prosperity, Sputnik, the Korean War, and the Montgomery bus boycott were symptoms of the turmoil that loomed under the surface. Using documents, class members investigate what these events...

Students explore art of the 1950s. In this art history lesson, students examine works by Kofman, Groky, deKooning, Indiana, Hamilson, and Warhol as they identify the attributes of Abstract Impressionism and pop art. Students sketch...

Students learn about suburban communities in the 1950s. In this women studies lesson, students watch a Power Point presentation about suburban communities in the 1950s. Students look at images from the 1950s and discuss what they think...

Students examine the impact of technological advancements on Cold War America. In this 1950's America lesson, students research politics, Cold War society, suburbia, and consumerism during the decade in order to better understand...

Fifth graders, using HyperStudio or PowerPoint, select the ten most important events that happened in the 1950s.

High schoolers encounter how to work together as a group to accomplish a common goal. They gain more experience in doing research using library reference materials as well as internet sources. Each group is responsible for making a...

Students reflect on how television has changed daily living from the 1950's to now.  In this research lesson plan, students complete Internet research on what life was like without TV in the 1950's and then create commercials on how they...

Students complete an Individual Artist Information Sheet on famous 1950's Rock and Roll musician. They read one of the chapeters on "Elvis Pressley, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Rockabilly, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Everly Brothers, or...

We're going way back to the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s to discuss pop culture, entertainment, and social dance. Kids discuss the top headlines from those time periods and how music, culture, and dance influence each other and evolve over...

Students study the automobile industry. In this cultural history lesson, students explore 1950s America as they view a teacher-created PowerPoint presentation regarding the 1950s. Students research how the automobile changed the 1950s...

Senator Joseph's McCarthy's claims that communists had infiltrated and threatened the American way of life set off a red scare in the 1950s—and those claims have influenced today's concepts of loyalty to country. Using video clips from...

For this online interactive American history worksheet, students answer 11 multiple choice questions regarding 1950's America. Students may submit their answers to be scored.

In this America in the 1950's worksheet, students read about housing, education, entertainment, and the Cold War in the 1950s. Students then answer 5 questions about this time.

In this 1950's America activity, students read assigned textbook pages on the topic and respond to 10 short answer questions about 1950's America.

For this online interactive American history worksheet, students respond to 8 matching questions regarding 1950's America. Students may check their answers immediately.