We often think of history as something written down in a book, but many cultures have not had written languages and relied on oral means to maintain their history. Today, firsthand oral accounts are as valued as written documents, letters, photographs, and artifacts when doing history. In this project you will learn the techniques of being a good oral historian and then use them to interview an immigrant and then take your interview and craft it into a picture book – one that captures as accurately as possible his or her immigration experience.
Oral History Techniques
• How to create good interview questions.
• How to listen during an interview, how to create good follow-up questions on the spur of the moment.
• How to use a recorder.
• How to transcribe an interview.
• How to select the most significant parts of the transcript.
• How to take these parts and craft them into a piece of historical writing.
A Model Immigrant Book
You will observe how someone interviews and develops the interview into a book.
Book Study
You will study a variety of picture books that all present immigration stories
in different ways. We will also look at other innovative picture books for ideas
on how to create your own books.
Individual Student Project
Subject Selection.
Each of you is required to interview an immigrant to the United States. This individual can be a family member, friend, or acquaintance. It is important to be sure that whoever is chosen is completely comfortable telling his/her story. In particular, you need to be aware and sensitive to those who are uncomfortable telling their stories. Some people love to do so, others do not. It is important not to press someone to do so, if it clear he or she does not wish to. If you are unable to find a subject we have many willing subjects in the school. Many teachers, administrators, and staff members known to you would be delighted to serve as subjects for this project and have done so in the past.
Interview Preparation
To prepare for the interview you will need:
- A working recorder and extra batteries and tapes (unless it is digital).
- A carefully prepared set of questions. (You will create this with your class.)
- A release form.
Interview
Do the interview outside of school. As soon as it is done bring all the documents, the tape, and the recorder to school.
Transcription
You will do this in class.
Follow-up interview
You may decide that your interview is not sufficient and may need to contact your subject for more information on certain topics.
Selecting Good Quotes
Go through your transcript and highlight those quotes that you feel most present the subject’s immigration story.
Craft an Immigrant Narrative
•Draft your subject’s immigrant story. Some possible approaches:
First Person
“I was five years old when I first came here….”
Third Person
“Mary immigrated when she was five years old….”
Question/Answer,
Q: How old were you when you immigrated?
A: I was five years old.
Subject’s View/Author’s Response.
Subject: I was five when I immigrated to the United States.
Interviewer: Boy, that must have been incredibly scary!
•Revise as necessary
You will be continually conferring with teachers and peers during this stage.
•Proofread and Teacher edit
•Plan Illustrations
Decide on medium, how they will work on the page, etc.
Also do research so the illustrations accurately reflect the subject’s story.
•Create final copy in bound book.
Oral History Celebration
Once all books are completed we will invite friends, family, and subjects mto an Oral History Celebration.
