Activity Overview
Theme: Storytelling – New Mexico’s Contribution
Grade Band: High School (Grades 9–12)
In this activity, students learn to document and analyze the stories of local heroes through the process of oral history research. They will conduct interviews, review written sources, and present findings that connect personal experiences to larger historical and social movements. By studying local heroes — including veterans, community organizers, Indigenous leaders, cultural figures, founders, scientists, athletes, and first responders — students will explore how everyday people influence history. This project deepens understanding of how oral histories complement written records by capturing diverse voices and lived experiences.
Time Required
1–2 weeks
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Conduct structured research on a local hero using oral and written sources.
- Practice interviewing, note-taking, and ethical documentation skills.
- Analyze how individual stories reveal broader patterns in history.
- Present findings in a clear, compelling way using multimedia or writing.
Essential Questions
- How does oral history expand our understanding of historical events?
- What makes someone a hero in their community?
- Why is it important to record local stories for future generations?
- How do personal experiences shape our collective memory of history?
How to Implement
- Introduce Oral History:
Watch Conversations with History: Studs Terkel or read about his work collecting oral histories like The Good War. Discuss how oral history provides a broader view of the past, especially by including marginalized or underrepresented voices. - Identify a Local Hero:
Students select a hero from the present or recent past — veterans, Indigenous leaders, scientists, founders, or artists. Encourage diversity of perspectives across New Mexico’s communities. - Plan and Conduct Interviews:
Research background information about the chosen person. Request an interview (in-person or virtual). Prepare thoughtful questions using an interview guide. Obtain permission and explain the project purpose. - Analyze and Present:
Write a report or create a presentation summarizing key findings. Optional: Include visuals, photos, or audio clips. Conclude with a written reflection or thank-you note to interviewees.
Teacher Tip
- Model professional communication when requesting interviews.
- Emphasize the importance of consent and accuracy when quoting or recording.
- Partner with local libraries, archives, or historians for research guidance.
- Consider inviting a local librarian or journalist for an in-class workshop.
Connection to Statewide Theme
This activity supports the NM250 Storytelling: New Mexico’s Contribution initiative, helping students connect local oral histories to state and national narratives. Schools may extend this project into a “Voices of New Mexico” showcase or share excerpts using the #MyNMStory hashtag.
Learn more:
Extension Option
Create a class digital archive or podcast series featuring excerpts from student interviews. This can become part of a schoolwide or community exhibition celebrating Voices of New Mexico as part of the NM250 Storytelling initiative.
Educator Resources & Links
- Conversations with History: Studs Terkel
- Oral History Association – Principles and Best Practices
- Oral History Association – Resources for Educators
- Smithsonian Institution Archives – How to Do Oral History
- National Trust for Historic Preservation – Conducting an Oral History Interview
- StoryCorps – Listening and Sharing Stories
- New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program
- C-SPAN Classroom – Oral History Lesson Plans
- StoryCorps: Listening Is an Act of Love by Dave Isay
- NM State Library Newspaper Collection
Book List
- Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do, by Studs Terkel
- Voices of Freedom: An Oral History of the Civil Rights Movement from the 1950s Through the 1980s by Henry Hampton and Steve Fayer
- Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
- The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
- Dreaming in Indian: Contemporary Native American Voices by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Leatherdale
- How We Go Home: Voices from Indigenous North America
Optional Family Extension Activity
Invite students to share what they’ve learned about their local hero with family members and discuss how their stories connect to larger themes like courage, change, or community care. Encourage them to ask: “Who has made a difference in our family or neighborhood?”
Teacher Note
These resources support the NM250 Storytelling: New Mexico’s Contribution initiative, encouraging students to research, record, and reflect on stories that celebrate the diverse voices of New Mexico’s communities.
Technical Tip
If students use digital tools for interviews or presentations, remind them to save their files securely, cite sources, and obtain permission before sharing audio or video publicly.