Group+A+5-A-1+Reasons+&+Ideas

Group A Reasons & Ideas "Let Us Not Forget"

__Our directions:__ //On a separate wiki page, as a group://
 * //Describe your reasons for selecting this particular recording. Explain why you believe this recording could be effective with students.//
 * //Describe at least 5 ways the recording you selected could be used in the classroom. Try to expand ideas for different subject areas and/or grade levels. For each lesson idea, include a brief description of how this activity could help promote critical thinking skills in students//

__Reasons for Selecting "Let Us Not Forget" __

"Let Us Not Forget" was an excellent time-period piece that lended itself quite well to the NARA questions. It was quite interesting that it was the first public recording by Thomas Edison who was himself the inventor of the phonograph. The narrative he spoke made his message clear as well as the time in history it represented (World War I). The "scrachiness" of the recording was an excellent example of the technology of the times and the message was one of Patriotism and good will toward the Allied troops.

Students should be amazed by this recording compared to the sound quality of today's audio recordings and prompt them to inquire as to the source. Students should at least be familiar with WWI - at least that there was one - and the recording should also prompt them to inquire as to why Edison is calling on Americans to remember the troops of Belgium, Italy, France, and Great Britain.

__Ideas for Using "Let Us Not Forget" in the Classroom __

-**Drama**: Students will listen to the recording, study where and how the speaker places emphasis, and then translate this study to performing a monologue or speech of their own. This promotes higher level thinking skills because the students will analyze a primary source and then apply this analysis to creating a performance of their own.

-**Science**: Students will listen to the recording and study through comparison the science of recording (improvements in recording, static, clarity of speech, etc.). This promotes higher level thinking skills because the students will analyze the primary source and then use it as a basis of comparison as they evaluate how technology has changed.

-**Social Studies**: Students will listen to the recording, read the transcript, and then complete an SEA worksheet based on their study and observations. This promotes higher level thinking skills because the students will analyze the primary source and connect it with their prior knowledge and the SEA worksheet promotes students to ask their own questions and find their own answers to these questions. Students will locate the Allied nations on a world map.

- **English**: Students will research a recent event from the past 5-10 years and write their own "Let us not forget" speech about those who risked their lives to save people, defend people, etc. The speech could even be about those who helped save people from an earthquake, flood, etc. The students could each pick a different hero and combine their speeches into a "Let Us Not Forget Our Heroes" book.

- **History**: Student's will compare and contrast Edison's "Let us not forget" speech to another post-war speech such as Albert Einstein's Post War Speech 10-12-145. Students can compare/contrast not only the message, but the method of production, clarity, etc. of the two speeches one being from 1919 and one being from 1945.

- **Geography:** Students will listen to the recording and label the places mentioned on a map. They will also identify allies and enemies of the United States. This promotes higher level thinking skills because students will apply the information that they heard to create a new presentation of this information.

- **Veterans' Day**: For 92 years, America has set aside November 11th as a day to honor those who have served in our armed forces. Originally, the day was set aside to celebrate the veterans of the First World War. Later, it was broadened to include every man and woman who has worn the uniform of the United States. Students will analyze Edison's "Let us not forget". Was Edison's speech made before or after November 11 was declared "Veterans' Day"? How has the purpose of Veterans' Day changed since Edison's Speech? How could Edison's speech be applied to WWII? Are the "Allied Powers" the same in WWII as WWI?

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