1920’s Group Research Project
Investigative Question: What was life like during the “Roaring Twenties”?
Objectives for Project:
Students will be able to:
 Research main topics relating to social and historical aspects of the 1920s
 Find and synthesize relevant primary sources
 Create a visual representation of main topic in a poster or PowerPoint presentation
 Develop a written summary and analysis of main topic
 Teach topic to peers in a 7-10 minute oral presentation
Introduction and Assignment:
In preparation for our study of The Great Gatsby, you will be investigating various topics
from the 1920s in order to form an understanding of what life was like during that era.
In groups of three, you will research a topic relating to the social/historical context of the
1920s. After researching your topic, your group will create an educational poster or
PowerPoint presentation, and you will present your findings to your classmates.
Requirements:
Create a poster or PowerPoint presentation that includes:
 A summary (in your own words) of your topic
 At least two primary sources with explanatory captions (in your own words)
1. At least one photo
2. At least one periodical (newspaper, magazine)
 Analysis: What does your topic tell us about the 1920s? How does it reflect the values
of that period of time?
 Bibliography (on back of poster). Include at least one book, one periodical, one
credible website, and one primary source photo.
Plus:
 A 7-10 minute presentation of your poster/PowerPoint and topic (each group
member must have a speaking part)
Topics Areas (8 total):
 Consumer society– New products and growing industries
 F. Scott Fitzgerald
 Harlem Renaissance
 Prohibition/Bootlegging/Organized Crime
 Women’s Suffrage
 “Flappers”
 Stock market crash of 1929
 Music of the “Jazz Age”
 Social inequalities of the era
K. Capecelatro
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* No more than one group may cover each topic.
Please remember Ms. Liu’s “basics of good research”:
 Review the source to see if it is legitimate and accurate
 Keep track of sources using the source sheet
 Avoid plagiarism by note-taking and paraphrasing
 When quoting, be sure to cite the source
 Include an annotated bibliography at the end (1-2 sentence annotations– How did
you use the source? Was it helpful?)
Process:
You will have one partial day to pick your groups and topics, review guidelines for the
project, and start planning your approach. You will have two days for research and
compilation. Presentations will be on the fourth day.
1. Topic and group selection, pre-library planning (develop plan, assign roles and
timeline, etc.) (Wednesday 2/29)
2. Library research (Thursday 3/1)
3. Finish library research/Poster construction (Friday 3/2)
4. Group meetings outside of class time, if necessary (chosen by group)
5. Presentations (Monday 3/5)
On library days, you will have access to the computer lab, online databases, and a selection of
reference books. You may use credible online resources.
Presentation Requirements:
 7-10 minutes per group
 All group members must take an active role in the presentation, with each member
speaking at least once.
 Evidence of presentation rehearsal must be evident (this means you MUST practice–
time to rehearse as a group will be allotted prior to presentations on Monday 3/5)
 Speak clearly and loudly enough so that everyone can hear you and understand you,
and make eye contact with the audience.
 PowerPoint presentations must be a minimum of 12 slides.
K. Capecelatro
2 of 2