Analyze A Video Interview

Students consider what it means to be American through media seen by a 1950’s refugee family.

This lesson is part of our Upper Elementary Unit Plan.

Overview

Students read about how the Epsteins escaped Europe after the Holocaust and created a family and home in New York City.  Inspired by Bella Epstein’s oral histories about her childhood in the 1950’s, they consider how advertising and media influence what it means to be American in Bella’s time and today.

Theme

Making A Home

Important Information

What will students understand through this lesson?

• Migration happens in many different ways (immigration, forced migration, voluntary migration, arrival as a refugee) and is core to the shared human experience. Immigration is one type of migration. Immigration is usually done by choice and is always a move from one country to another.
• Im/migrants adapt to new living conditions and types of communities, often with creativity and resourcefulness. Communities help people meet their needs in a new place.
• Neighborhoods with many immigrants and their children develop because they provide work, support, access to culture, less racism and discrimination, and friendship. While adult immigrants often spend time with people who speak their home language, children often make friends across difference.

Aim

What can doing history detective work with advertisements teach us about trying to belong?

Duration

2-4 Class Periods

Primary Source

• Video: Bella Discusses Halo Shampoo – Watch a child of refugees, Bella Epstein, discuss how she wanted to “look American” in the 1950’s.  (See below)
• Video: Halo Shampoo Ad – Watch a TV shampoo advertisement from the 1950’s and consider the messages. (See below)
• Epstein Family Story article (See below)