Contextualization

John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States, was a figure of great importance in American and world history. His presidency, which began in 1961, was marked by significant events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Bay of Pigs invasion, and the Civil Rights Movement. JFK, as he was commonly known, was a charismatic leader who inspired many with his vision of a better America and a better world.

Born into a wealthy and politically influential family, Kennedy had a privileged upbringing. However, he used his privilege as a platform for advocating for social justice and progress. His famous quote, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country," embodies his vision of public service and collective responsibility.

Kennedy's presidency was tragically cut short on November 22, 1963, when he was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. This event shook the nation and the world, and the investigations and conspiracy theories that followed have become an integral part of the JFK mythology.

Importance

Studying John F. Kennedy is not just a study of one man's life, but a study of an era in American history. The 1960s were a time of great social and political change, and Kennedy's presidency was at the forefront of many of these changes. The Civil Rights Movement, the Space Race, and the burgeoning counterculture all shaped and were shaped by Kennedy's policies and actions.

Furthermore, the legacy of JFK extends far beyond his presidency. He is remembered as a symbol of hope and idealism, and his untimely death has given rise to numerous conspiracy theories that still captivate the public's imagination today. Understanding Kennedy's life and presidency can provide valuable insights into the complex and often contradictory nature of history.

Resources

To carry out this project, you can use the following resources:

1. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum: This website is a treasure trove of information about JFK's life, presidency, and legacy. It includes a vast collection of documents, photographs, and audio/video recordings.

2. National Archives: John F. Kennedy: This page provides access to many of the National Archives' holdings on JFK, including his papers, photographs, and audio recordings.

3. Biography.com: John F. Kennedy: This page provides a concise overview of JFK's life and presidency, along with links to related articles and videos.

4. Books: "An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917–1963" by Robert Dallek and "Profiles in Courage" by John F. Kennedy are excellent resources for a more in-depth study of JFK.

Remember to always cite your sources and use them responsibly. Happy researching!

Practical Activity

Activity Title: The Life and Legacy of John F. Kennedy in a Timeline

Objective of the Project:

The primary aim of this project is to create a comprehensive timeline depicting the key events and contributions of John F. Kennedy's life and presidency. Through this activity, students will enhance their understanding of JFK's importance in American and world history. This project will also foster teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking among students.

Detailed Description of the Project:

In this project, your group will create a detailed timeline of John F. Kennedy's life and presidency. This timeline should include major events, accomplishments, and challenges faced by JFK, and it should be visually appealing and informative. The timeline will be created using a digital tool of your choice (e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint, Canva, Google Slides).

Necessary Materials:

• Internet access for research.
• Digital tool for timeline creation (e.g., PowerPoint, Canva, Google Slides).
• Access to a printer (for final timeline).

Detailed Step-by-Step for Carrying out the Activity:

1. Form a Group and Divide Tasks: Form groups of 3-5 students. Assign each member a specific task, such as researching JFK's early life, his presidency, his major accomplishments, and his legacy.

2. Research: Using the resources provided and any additional resources you find, carry out your research. It's important to use a variety of sources (books, articles, videos) to get a comprehensive understanding of JFK's life and presidency.

3. Compile Information: After completing your research, compile all the information you have gathered. Each group member should contribute to this step.

4. Create the Timeline: Using your chosen digital tool, start creating your timeline. Make sure to include key dates, events, and images. The timeline should be clear, organized, and visually appealing.

5. Review and Edit: Once the timeline is complete, review it as a group. Make sure all the information is accurate and in chronological order. Edit as necessary.

6. Write a Report: After completing the timeline, each group should write a report detailing the process of creating the timeline, the information included, and its relevance. This report should follow the structure provided (Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Used Bibliography).

7. Presentation: Each group will present their timeline to the class. This presentation should include a walkthrough of the timeline, highlighting key events and their significance.

Project Deliveries:

At the end of the project, each group will deliver:

1. A digital timeline of John F. Kennedy's life and presidency.
2. A written report detailing the process of creating the timeline and its content.
3. A presentation of the timeline to the class.

The report should include the following:

1. Introduction: Contextualize the theme, its relevance, and real-world application, as well as the objective of this project.
2. Development: Detail the theory behind the project, explain the activity in detail, indicate the methodology used, and finally present and discuss the obtained results.
3. Conclusion: Revisit the main points of the project, explicitly stating the learnings obtained and the conclusions drawn about the project.
4. Used Bibliography: Indicate the sources that were used to work on the project such as books, web pages, videos, etc.

Remember, this project is not just about creating a timeline, but about understanding and contextualizing the events and contributions of John F. Kennedy's life and presidency. The timeline is a visual representation of this understanding. Be creative, be thorough, and most importantly, have fun with this project!

Project Duration:

The project should take each student approximately 3-5 hours to complete and should be delivered within one week from the start date. This includes time for research, timeline creation, report writing, and presentation preparation.