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Media Standards

Through the Lens: Lawrence Welk and Cultural Change in North Dakota

Television was growing to provide a social and cultural mirror of the world in the 1950s, including images of modern life in the Red River Valley and across the state. Television contributed to the popularity of Lawrence Welk, still one of the most well-known North Dakotans even today. He is shown receiving the key to his hometown of Strasburg, North Dakota.

Source

Through the Lens: North Dakota as Seen by Television in the 1950s (1986); State Historical Society of North Dakota

Grade Level

2 - 12

Subject Matter

Social Studies, Science

Standards

Social Studies

Grade 02

SS 2.3.2

Identify community businesses and workers, and the goods and services they provide (e.g., restaurant/food, service station/gas, salon/haircut)

Grade 03

SS 3.2.2

Describe how community life has changed from past (i.e., pioneer and tribal) to the present

Grade 04

SS 4.2.3

Identify similarities and differences between past events and current events in North Dakota (e.g., in the lives of people from different cultures past and present)

SS 4.2.5

Identify the contributions of prominent individuals (e.g., Teddy Roosevelt, La Verendrye, Rough Rider Award winners) to North Dakota