Social Activities in Mining Towns Project

Using the Cokedale Web site and other internet and library resources, research the social activities in a mining town. Select ONE topic below on which to focus during your research and mock re-create:

Wedding- In your group pretend that you live in 1910 and your daughter is getting married. Is she marrying of your choosing or her own? Is there a dowry involved? Where did you get the dress? Who was invited? Was it a major public event?
Dance- What is the occasion? Who is going? Where will it be held? What is the attire? Are refreshments served? What time will it begin? end? Will invitations be sent out? What kind of music if any will be provided?
Dating- Is there a chaperon? How old are the people when they begin to date? Where do they go? How often? What was appropriate attire?
Baseball- You are the captain of a baseball team for a mining town. How many players are on your team? How often and where is practice held? Does your team have uniforms? Is there a big crowd at your games? What was the price of admission if any?
Bowling- Was there a league? How much did it cost? Where were the alleys? Did men and women play together?
Children's Recreation- What did the children do in the winter? in the summer? Were these activities organized?
Your own selection- ______________(Note: must pertain to social history in the company towns and must be pre-approved by your teacher.

Component 1-The Background Research

(Notes due___________) Your notes will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Notes are written in a clean, easy to read, and organized manner.
An organized plan for writing accompanies the notes. (This can be an outline.)
The Cokedale Colorado web site is used as one of the main sources of material.
Sources are clearly documented.
The material turned in is sufficient to address the topic chosen.

Component 2-The Detailed Plans for Your Event.

Remember that the event is taking place around the year 1910. You and your group are solely responsible to see that the event is accurately planned. You may write your plans in an essay format or other format as stipulated by your teacher. The event plans will be graded based on the following criteria;

Mechanics

Writing is clear with accurate spelling and grammar.
Number of pages is sufficient to explore the topic thoroughly, within a minimum of two double-spaced word-processed pages.

Content

Information is accurate.
Elements such as images, charts, maps, or graphs are used to support the text as necessary.
An invitation or flyer is prepared to announce the event if necessary.

Component 3- The Presentation

(Due date___________)
As a group, present your event proposal to the class. The proposal will be graded using the following criteria:

Each member participates equally.
Effective speaking skills such as tone of voice, eye contact, and smoothness of delivery is evident during presentation.
Creativity is displayed in your manner of presentation.
Visual aids are used when appropriate and can be found or made.

Grading System:

The criteria listed above will be scored on this scale (Note: a total grade of 100 is possible on this project.)

Component 1 = 30%
Component 2 = 30%
Component 3 = 30%
Overall teacher evaluation = 10%

Author

Leslie Isham (Junior History Major from Golden, Colorado) 1998 Field School Team

For corrections and contributions regarding this World Wide Web page, contact Dr. Vernon L. Williams, ACU Box 28130, Department of History, Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas 79699.
E-mail vwilliams@nicanor.acu.edu
Fax (915) 674-2369
Telephone (915) 674-2150.