The Roaring 1920's WebQuest
An Internet WebQuest on The Roaring
1920's
Created by
Mrs. Milano
20th Century U.S. History – gr. 8
Based on WebQuest created by Cheryl Bussert
Forest Park Middle School
Edited by Mr. Cirasella (2015) and Mr. Burmester
Introduction | The Quest | The Process & Resources | Grading Criteria
The overall impression of the Roaring 20s, or the Jazz Age as it also came to be known, was that it was a time of
great fun and excitement! As you learn more about the 1920s, you will hopefully discover the tremendous changes
that were taking place in the post-WWI U.S.. For many people, life was good—the 1920s symbolized carefree
attitudes, living life to the fullest, and a seemingly strong economy, fueled by consumer spending made possible by
money obtained from playing the market and installment buying. Life, however, was not as glorious for those of the
lower socio-economic class, particularly Blacks and immigrants. For many of them, the 1920s represented continued
hardships and discrimination.
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The Quest
The radio was a big part of everyday life in the 20's. Your task will be to create a radio broadcast
that your team can perform by researching a variety of sites on the decade and writing an historically
accurate program.
Click here to see a sample script
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The Process and Resources
In this WebQuest, you will be working together on a team. Each team will be broken down into smaller groups,
which will contribute to the TASK by providing one segment of the broadcast. As a member of your group, you
will explore webpages about The Roaring 1920's. The person responsible for segment 1 will write two
NATIONAL NEWS stories, which may include information about the economic condition of the nation, famous
scandals, or court cases. The person responsible for segment 2 will write about LOCAL NEWS, including one
story about crime or criminals, and one sports story. The person responsible for segment 3 will write one story
about MUSIC OR LITERATURE, and one story featuring an INTERVIEW WITH A FAMOUS WOMAN of the
1920s. The person responsible Segment 4 will also feature an INTERVIEW, OF ANY NON-POLITICAL
PERSON living at the time, as well as a commercial for a new product (invention). The person responsible for
Segment 5 will feature one story about what people could do for fun during their LEISURE TIME, as well as a
story about FASHION.
Phase 1 - Background: Something for Everyone
Most of the sites listed below will be helpful for all five segments. Before researching your
particular segment, everyone should read the article 'Radio in the 1920s.'
Radio in the 1920s - Background article about the emergence and importance of radio in the
1920s
Phase 2 - Looking Deeper from Different Perspectives
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Read through the files linked to your group. If you print out the files, underline the passages
that you feel are the most important. If you look at the files on the computer, copy sections you
feel are important by dragging the mouse across the passage and copying / pasting it into a word
processor or other writing software.
2. Note: Remember to write down or copy/paste the URL of the file you take the passage from so you
can quickly go back to it if you need to get more information, as well as for your bibliography. (ex:
you will use easy bib or bib me to make your bibliography) I will show you how to do this. Three resources
for each story is required.
3. Be sure to leave enough time to type out your articles clearly, remembering your audience
cannot see you, they can only hear your voice. Your stories should be true to history, and as
interesting as possible. Your three source bibliography for each article should be at the bottom of your stories.
Segment 1: National news
Use the Internet information linked below to create Segment 1 - National news
1. What was going on in politics? What was going on in the country?
Choose one event or political figure (make it American!) to feature.
2. What was happening in business? What was happening to people's money?
How did it impact their lives? Choose one event or trend to report.
3. How did a particular event cause controversy or how did it impact peoples’ lives? What events
led up to you topic having taken place, what was the outcome? Who were the notable people
involved?
-Scopes Monkey Trial, Racism (segregation/KKK), Teapot Dome Scandal, Great
Depression, Labor Unions, Immigration (Red Scare), Sacco and Vanzetti
Wonderful Introduction to the Roaring 20's – Nice Place to start- The 1920s in History
Prosperity and Thrift: The Coolidge Era and the Consumer Economy,
1921-1929 - This Library of Congress site is not for the novice, but is
incredible for primary source books, pictures, documents. Search by
subject.
Segment 2: Local News: Criminals/Crimes and Sports
Use the Internet information linked below to create Segment 2 - Criminals and
Sports news:
1. What were some of the famous crime stories of the times? Who were the people associated
with these crimes? Why were these crimes so newsworthy?
2. Who were the stars of what sports? What kind of accomplishments did they
make? Choose one sport to report on or one sports figure to feature.
1920's Interactive Literature Resource Gangster and Crime Page - Features
gangsters, crime and prohibition
The Roaring Twenties - Sports in the 1920's - Individuals and their
accomplishments are featured Segment 3: Music & Literature; Women in the news
Use the Internet information linked below to create Segment 3 - Music &
Literature; Women in the news
1. What was 'hot' in music? Who was performing it? OR What was 'hot' in
literature? Who was writing it?
2. Interview a woman of the 20s who was making headlines. This could be a musician/singer, author, activist, or
possibly, a movie star. Focus on her contribution to her field.
Roaring 1920's Concert Extravaganza - Music of the Roaring 1920s - Listen
to actual sound clips from a variety of performers of the 1920's
Harlem 1900-1940:PBS - People and events of the
Harlem Renaissance
Brief Timeline of American Literature, Music, and Movies 1920-1929 - This
page provides a good sample of the music and films available during the
period.
Segment 4: Commercial and Interview
Use the Internet information linked below to create Segment 4 - Commercial and
Interview:
1. What products were being advertised in the 1920's? Choose one and write a
commercial. If you don't know enough about the product, where can you go to find
out more about it?
2. Who was famous enough (non-political) to have something to say on a radio
interview? Possible ideas: a famous author, comedian, actor or actress. What would the interviewer ask of this
famous person? What might the person's response be? Remember - don't change history, just report it.
Caricatures - National Portrait Gallery features 6 caricatures of personalities
of the 20's
Famous People of the 1920s - Full text articles of the people who became influential
during the 1920s
Actual audion commercials from the day - Famous ads and slogans for products from the
past 100 years
Wonderful Introduction to the Roaring 20's – Good general idea about all 1920s topics
Prosperity and Thrift: The Coolidge Era and the Consumer Economy,
1921-1929–
This Library of Congress site is not for the novice, but is
incredible for primary source books, pictures, documents. Search by subject.
Greatest Films – memorable moments from great movies; movie personalities
Segment 5: Fashion & Leisure
1. What was the news in fashion? Women's, men's, children's clothes -- what were
they wearing that was new? How was it different from what came before it? Choose
one or two items to focus on.
2. What were some popular things that people were doing for fun? Give suggestions for leisure time
activities as though the weekend was approaching– what new fads were “in”; what were people doing
for entertainment?
Random Bits of 1920's Fashion - Contains explanations of popular women’s
styles.
Women's Fashions of the 1920s - Dresses, hair, “flapper” - lots of pictures .
Flapper culture – background on Flappers
More links:
Slang terms – limited, but possibly helpful list of some common expressions
General info – this site contains various links to topics of the 1920s
The 20s and the 30s- This site has a lot of information on a variety of topics.
Best of History Websites- Information on all aspects of The 1920s
Digital History- another good site on all aspects of life in the 1920s
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Grading Criteria: Each group’s segment of the “broadcast” must:
Be between 2-3 minutes (1 - 1 1/2 minutes per story) of solid reporting; you are required to turn in a hard copy of
your broadcast script, written in it’s entirety, including where sound effects will be used
(ex: stepping up to the plate next is Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter. He awaits the pitch (crack of the bat),
what a shot! That ball is out of here!)
include a minimum of 4 slang terms, used in the proper ‘20s context, per story
include a bibliography of URL addresses at the end of your hardcopy scripts
Easy Bib will help you with your bibliography.
Bib Me will help with bibliography also. Use whichever you feel comfortable with.
BE HISTORICALLY ACCURATE!! Remember, you are reporting history, not re-inventing it!
In addition, your entire team must present a picture collage of the people, products, fashions, etc. that are
addressed in the broadcast. Caricatures and political cartoons (such as those which may deal with topics at the
Nation news level) are acceptable!
THIS PROJECT WILL COUNT AS ONE TEST GRADE!! DUE DATE _______________
PRESENTATIONS WILL BEGIN ON MONDAY _____________
All of the above project requirements, in their entirety, are due on the above date. Everything is expected to be
typed and printed out BEFORE you come to class on the day on which the project is due. There will be a 10
point deduction for each day late. All members of your small group will receive an individual grade.
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