Day 1: White Picket Fences (The 1950s)
In the 1950s, things settled down in New Zealand. There were
no international wars or intense, national conflicts. Many kiwis
were able to settle down, get married, buy a home and start a family.
no international wars or intense, national conflicts. Many kiwis
were able to settle down, get married, buy a home and start a family.
Activity 1: Meat and Three Veg
It was common for women in the 1950s to stay home with their
children and raise their family. They were called ‘housewives.’
Many housewives followed a simple rule when they prepared the
evening meal: the ‘meat and three veg’ rule. This meant that they
prepared dinners that included three different vegetables and a type
of meat (eg. beef, lamb, or chicken).
children and raise their family. They were called ‘housewives.’
Many housewives followed a simple rule when they prepared the
evening meal: the ‘meat and three veg’ rule. This meant that they
prepared dinners that included three different vegetables and a type
of meat (eg. beef, lamb, or chicken).
On your blog tell us if you think that the ‘meat and three veg’ rule is a
good one. Do you like the rule? Would you enjoy eating a typical 1950s
dinner? Why or why not?
good one. Do you like the rule? Would you enjoy eating a typical 1950s
dinner? Why or why not?
For me it's alright having three vegetables and a meat on a plate but
that shouldn’t be a rule. I would not have that rule. I would not like
to have the same thing everyday. That's just my opinions.
that shouldn’t be a rule. I would not have that rule. I would not like
to have the same thing everyday. That's just my opinions.
Activity 2: What’s in a Name?
During the 1950s the population of New Zealand grew by
400,000 people. That is huge! In fact, so many people were having
babies that many people refer to this period in our history as the
‘baby boom.’ Popular baby names in 1950s New Zealand were:
400,000 people. That is huge! In fact, so many people were having
babies that many people refer to this period in our history as the
‘baby boom.’ Popular baby names in 1950s New Zealand were:
GIRLS BOYS
Christine John
Susan David
Margaret Peter
Judith Michael
Jennifer Robert
Read through the lists. Are these popular names in your school? On
your blog, tell us which names are currently popular in your school.
Please provide, at least, three girls’ names and three boys’ names
that are popular.
your blog, tell us which names are currently popular in your school.
Please provide, at least, three girls’ names and three boys’ names
that are popular.
Boys Girls
Miami Luisa
Inoke Aaliyahana
George Newsam
Bonus Activity: Snail Mail
In the 1950s, most people communicated with one another by
writing letters. According to the NZ history website, New Zealanders
sent over 200 million letters and postcards between 1950 and
1960. That is an average of 87 letters per person!
writing letters. According to the NZ history website, New Zealanders
sent over 200 million letters and postcards between 1950 and
1960. That is an average of 87 letters per person!
For this activity, imagine that you are living in New Zealand in the
1950s. Use Google Draw* to design the front of a postcard that
you could send to a friend. Try to include elements of Kiwiana
in your design (e.g. Pohutukawa trees, Hokey Pokey ice cream, etc).
Post a copy of your postcard picture to your blog. Be sure to describe
what you have drawn on your blog beneath the picture.
1950s. Use Google Draw* to design the front of a postcard that
you could send to a friend. Try to include elements of Kiwiana
in your design (e.g. Pohutukawa trees, Hokey Pokey ice cream, etc).
Post a copy of your postcard picture to your blog. Be sure to describe
what you have drawn on your blog beneath the picture.
This photo is includes a Kiwi, peacock, a Tui bird and a pohutukawa
tree. I have also added two background pictures for this postcard.
tree. I have also added two background pictures for this postcard.
*You will need to make a copy of the Google Draw template
to create your postcard.
to create your postcard.
BONUS POINTS: 16
