1960s-How to create this groovy atmosphere?

[KarenB]

My 4th graders will be having a "Poetry Slam" in a few weeks. They will read and present poems and parents are invited.I am trying to create that "60s" atmosphere in a simple way. We only have an hour, then I have to move on and teach another topic. Here is what we (the class and I ) discussed today to create the mood:

Desks in a circle (or we will sit in a circle on the floor)
Lava lamps
Bongo drums/rythmic background music
Make and wear tye-dyed shirts
bring in bean bags
"Snapping" fingers instead of clapping
Sunglasses

What other things can we do to get in the groove? I would like the kids to make somethings to add.....any suggestions? I was thinking tissue paper peace signs or the flower power flowers on the windows. I was alive in the 60s, but they only can relate to "hippies" from what I got out of them. Also, most of the parents were probably not alive then. It will be so much fun, but it is the next to the last day of school, so it has to be a quick put up and take down.

Thanks!
Karen

 

[KarenB]

...a little bump to try and get a few ideas

 

[Barb D]

I think all your ideas are great!

How about making those tissue paper flowers where you accordian fold sheets of tissue paper together, connect it in the middle, and then pull the layers apart?

 

[MsLeFever]

hmmm

I'm racking my brain- you've come up with everything that I was thinking about.

Can you burn incense?
Protest signs
Love beads


Sounds like the kids will have a great day!

 

[Gary M]

I was in college in the '60's. I think your ideas sound great. I remember going to coffee houses. We would sit on the floor on big pillows while listening to folk music. Many of the hippies wore the John Lennon type sunglasses. The small round ones.

People gave each other the peace sign with their hand. You would give the peace sign using your index and middle fingers. Now it might mean victory, but then it was peace. It seemed like everyone said "far out" about almost anything.

Not really any good ideas from me. It seems like my memory of the '60's is kind of fuzzy.

Have fun.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Peace signs for sure!
Peace necklace
The halo things on the girls with the ribbons hanging down

Sounds like fun!!!!!!

 

[MorganLeFey]

as a kid in the 60's I loved to make love beads just like the ones my camp cpunselors wore.

 

[grlpwrd]

How about a spinning light with a shadowy effect for the walls? My dd has one that projects flower shadows on the walls and I feel really groovy when she turns it on. lol

 

[barkley]

black lights and the posters that glow from them (i think spencer's gifts carries these). i realy don't remember lava lamps being popular until the 70's.

i remember (from school dances "in the day") taking an overhead projector and putting a glass pie dish with water, food coloring and cooking oil on top to reflect "groovy" images.

chokers were the HOTEST fashion (we made them out of as little as a peice of leather lacing with one bead on it).

i don't imagine you can light insence, but that (and petuli oil ) take me back.

o.k.-while it's hard for me to accept that the parents of 4th graders would'nt have been alive in the 60's (just makes me feel too old )-maybe they could ask any grandparents if they have any old items around to bring in for a display (like the rusty "monkees" thermos i still have in the garage ).

peace and granola man.

 

[Pooh67_68]

Maybe this website can give you a few ideas.

http://www.orientaltrading.com/otcw...gPage.jsp&event=link.browse&categoryId=342703