Interview techniques: Students in this grade cluster should be expected to plan and conduct their interviews and create final projects independently. Teachers - in cooperation with the school media specialist - may choose to provide some in-class instruction in oral history methodology using the how-to section of this website, Learn how to conduct an oral history or advise students to print and study the PDF version of this guide.

At this level, it will be essential that student consider their end-product when planning their project. The emphasis for this highest grade cluster is on the entire process of oral history documentation rather than just the subject matter. In addition to the project ideas developed from the Social Studies and Language Arts curriculum, students and teacher can review the Purposeful Projects section for ideas targeted at local researchers and organizations. Many classroom projects can be developed into presentations for media and technology competitions, History Day competitions, or projects for Eagle Scout or Girl Scout achievements. Click here for some ideas for interpretive presentations.

Interview a prosecutor or defense attorney regarding a specific case/cases involving a controversial point of law.		Interview a number of adults on a controversial Supreme Court decision.
	Interview a parent or another adult about the impact of government on their daily life.	Interview a family member about their economic history.
Interview a representative of a business involved in international trade.		Interview a person who has been involved in a pivotal event, movement or time in American history.
Interview peers online about what life is like for teenagers in other cultures throughout the world.	Interview a person about everyday life during a particular time in American history.	Courtesy Historical Society of DE
Courtesy Historical Society of DE	Interview the local leader of a political organization.	Interview a public official, social worker, and/or social activist regarding a socio-economic issue such as homelessness.

Safety Note: Students in this grade cluster are generally quite independent, have good communication and technology skills, and are capable of conducting a good interview on their own. Older students can make contact with interview subjects and provide their own transportation to the interview. Nevertheless, it is still advisable for teachers and parents to be involved in the child's contact with adults outside their immediate family. At minimum, a responsible adult should be aware of the location, time and duration of an interview, and approve of the interview subject and the interview site. Teachers should emphasize safety considerations to students point as part of any assignment to be completed outside of school.