Generational Theory: Strauss-Howe

Introduction

"No generation is all good or bad. It's all hindsight."

- Neil Howe

This lesson we are going to look at William Strauss and Neil Howe's Generation Theory. To do this we will use information from their website to answer questions and gain understanding of Generation Theory.

Task

By the end of this WebQuest, you should have an understanding of Strauss and Howe's Generational Theory and what this theory suggests in terms of the nature of the development of personal and social identity.

Your task is to use learn about Generational Theory through a series of websites and answer the provided questions. This must be done individually. You will need to have this work signed off by the teacher before the end of the lesson otherwise it will need to be completed at lunch time.


Process

 What is Generational Theory?
Follow the following steps:

  1. In a new tab or window open and as a class we will read through the Prezi on Generational Theory (You do not need to take notes on the Prezi, however, feel free to refer back to it at any time).
  2. In a new tab or window open, the Fourth Turning.
  3. Using the links provided on the Fourth Turning homepage, view and read the information to find the answers to the following questions. Write your answers in your notebook or type them on your laptop.

Questions:

  • What is the theory?
  • What is a generation according to the theory?
  • What are the three criteria that define a generation?
  • What countries history is the theory based on?
  • What are the four Generational Archetypes and what are their characteristics?
  • What are the Four Turnings and what are their chracteristics?
  • Into what Generational Archetype do Baby Boomers fit?
  • According to Strauss-Howe what Turning are we currently experiences today?
  • What generation do you fit into?
  • Name all the generations across history.
  • Create a table of the generations and their birth years.
  • If you were born in 2007 what Generation do you belong to?
  • If you were born in 1899 what Generation do you belong to?

You have been given a handout "Strauss-Howe Generational Archetypes and Generations". Using the information you have compiled,  the Prezi and "Fourth Turning" website, fill in the speech bubbles on your handout with the information about each of the generations. Glue this diagram into your workbook.

Once you have finished all the questions and the worksheet click conclusion for the next task.

Conclusion

We come to the end of our unit on Personal and Social Identity. Complete the following Zondle quiz on the topic by clicking the link:

  1. Go to www.zondle.com
  2. Log in or create an account.
  3. Use the class code: 3123770267 to access the quiz.
  4. Select the quiz: "Generational Theory: Strauss-Howe".
  5. Choose a game.
  6. Complete the quiz!
  7. You can also choose to do the other quiz's available.
Credits