Roaring ‘20’s “Soiree”
GOAL: To role play an influential member of 1920’s American society in
order to appreciate the uniqueness of the decade and their significance on
American culture today.
1. Al Capone, Gangster*
2. Al Jolson, Entertainer
3. Albert Einstein, Scientist
4. Babe Ruth, Athlete*
5. Charles Lindbergh, Aviator*
6. Charlie Chaplin, Actor
7. Coco Chanel, Fashion Designer
8. Douglas Fairbanks, Actor
9. Duke Ellington, Musician
10. Ernest Hemingway, Author
11. F. Scott Fitzgerald, Author
12. ‘Flapper’ (Zelda Sayre), Socialite*
13. Henry Ford, Inventor/ Businessman*
14. Jack Dempsey, Athlete*
15. Josephine Baker, Entertainer
16. Langston Hughes, Author
17. Marcus Garvey, Activist*
18. Margaret Sanger, Educator*
19. Mildred “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias, Athlete
20. Paul Robeson, Actor/Activist
21. Red Grange, Athlete
22. Walt Disney, Businessman
23. Bessy Smith, Singer/Musician
24. Louis Armstrong, Musician
25. George Gershwin, Composer
26. Rudolph Valentino, Actor
27. Gertrude Ederly, Athlete*
28. Knute Rockne, Coach
29. Bobby Jones, Athlete*
30. Gertrude Stein, Writer
*Need to know for key terms
Day 1 (+1)
1. The student actively listens to Mr. Wright’s expectations and rubrics regarding the
1920’s “Gatsby Party.”
2. The student reads, highlights, and annotates a capsule summary of 1920’s American
society.
3. The student reads and researches to determine a 1920’s person with which they show the
most interest in order to role play.
4. The student begins gathering information on the following:
o What was significant about you?
o How did the jingoism of the times help bring about your fame?
o Did you ‘make the times’ or did the ‘times make you’? Give examples.
o How did you influence American culture?
o Who were my adversaries/competitors?
o If you were alive today, with whom would you most relate? Why?
o If you could change one thing about your time in the 1920’s, it would be…
o What legacy did you leave to American society?
Day 2 (+1)
1. Continue gathering information (above)
2. The student decides the assessment they’ll use and begin preparing for it.
3. The student identifies what ‘materials’ they need for the “soiree” to play the role of their
1920’s person.
Day 3 – “The Soiree” (+3)
1. The student’s dress, materials, behavior, and assessment are consistent with their
‘role.’
2. The student effectively addresses all knowledge gained through their research by
completing one of the following assessments:
o Interview – get interviewed by Jay Gatsby (Mr. Wright). Be prepared to answer
three questions about yourself for approximately two minutes.
o Write – write something describing your life and times in the 1920’s (memoir,
diary, poem, speech, etc.). Be prepared to read it!
o Perform – Role play your assigned person based upon what made you famous (ie.
– Flapper dances the Charleston)
o Visual – create a visual (poster, advertisement, etc.) describing yourself. Be
prepared to present!
o Reconstruction –construct or build something that pertains to the significance of
your person. (i.e. – Henry Ford – create a miniature model – T)
PERIOD 4/5 Guests
Ernest Hemingway
Babe Didrikson Zaharias
Gertrude Ederly
Coco Chanel
Walt Disney
Louis Armstrong
Bobby Jones
Charles Lindbergh
Charlie Chaplin
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Gertrude Stein
Albert Einstein
George Gershwin
Zelda Sayre