Unique Class Assignment Encourages Students to Use Problem Solving and Communication Skills
Students travel back in history to 1960 to the presidential election between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy. We spend a week acquiring biographical information while comparing and contrasting the influence of media then and now. Once students have a good understanding of JFK’s personal and political life the classroom is transformed into a crime scene. Students walk in to hear the news report given by Walter Cronkite about the death of JFK, and for the next week students spend the time reading eyewitness testimony, document and process evidence from the crime scene, and hear about reactions from family and political figures. Once all necessary information has been gathered, students collaborate to look through “confidential files” to learn about conspiracy theories that exist surrounding JFK’s assassination. The last week of this activity, students develop a report, much like a crime scene investigator, to present to the class as to who they believe assassinated our 35th president.
Challenges or Obstacles:
- If you are interested in having law enforcement to come in to talk to the students, the only obstacle would be finding a time where schedules would match up for someone to explain how evidence is processed.
Benefits and Successes:
- One of the greatest benefits is that this activity encourages students to use problem solving and communication skills.
- I find students to be more interested in the research component because it is a mystery that has yet to be “solved”.
- Students look forward to the next days activities and enjoy the process of learning.
- Students also take the initiative to dress up as professionals when they present the case.
- Students really go above and beyond because this experience (project) is different from some of the other activities we do in class.
Submitted by: Mason Fulton, Muncie Central High School