As a future teacher, I understand the importance of bringing different teaching styles into the classroom as well as new and enjoyable learning materials other than the textbook. It is essential to be able to spark the students’ interest which will require me to teach through several forms of technology. Using radio shows from the past are a great way to teach history. The longtime running radio show, Cavalcade of America first went on the air in 1935. The show turned into a TV series in the fifties and had its last episode in the year of 1957. This radio show shared with its listeners historical events that had happened in the past but it itself also had a history. By using the episodes from Cavalcade of America, students can learn about a person or place from the past that the episode is geared to, but also about the time era that the radio show was aired. I feel that the radio show is a great primary and secondary source which students would gain a lot from.
For instance, I had the opportunity to watch the episode that aired on January 8, 1936 titled, “Women in Public Service.” Here, like all the episodes, the radio show consisted of music, drama and ‘play’ like dialogue. They would ‘pretend’ that they were in the past and acted out the life of Jane Addams, a hardworking woman who played a large role in public service in Chicago from the 1890’s until her death. Mrs. Addams and her friend Ellen Starr moved to the worst part of Chicago to see how less fortunate people were and sought to help them mainly by providing new homes and buildings in the community. They were able to fight for these people and raised enough money to help. The Hull House created, acted a home for many and a community center. In response to all of her hard work, Jane Addams won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931. The show talks about the many struggles she had to overcome including standing up against the powerful men of the city. The episode also retells a story of a nurse, her mistreatment by men but also her importance to the community and their members. It sought to encourage women to become more involved in public services. As you can see, Cavalcade of America was a way for Americans to become involved in history. The show was able, in my opinion, to make history come to life for its listeners by providing information as well as entertainment.
For instance, I had the opportunity to watch the episode that aired on January 8, 1936 titled, “Women in Public Service.” Here, like all the episodes, the radio show consisted of music, drama and ‘play’ like dialogue. They would ‘pretend’ that they were in the past and acted out the life of Jane Addams, a hardworking woman who played a large role in public service in Chicago from the 1890’s until her death. Mrs. Addams and her friend Ellen Starr moved to the worst part of Chicago to see how less fortunate people were and sought to help them mainly by providing new homes and buildings in the community. They were able to fight for these people and raised enough money to help. The Hull House created, acted a home for many and a community center. In response to all of her hard work, Jane Addams won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931. The show talks about the many struggles she had to overcome including standing up against the powerful men of the city. The episode also retells a story of a nurse, her mistreatment by men but also her importance to the community and their members. It sought to encourage women to become more involved in public services. As you can see, Cavalcade of America was a way for Americans to become involved in history. The show was able, in my opinion, to make history come to life for its listeners by providing information as well as entertainment.
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