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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

The Andy Griffith Show in historical context

In this lesson plan, students review their knowledge about the 1960s in the United States and read an article about The Andy Griffith Show. Students reflect on societal fears in the 1960s and consider how those fears might have influenced the show's popularity.

A lesson plan for grade 8 Social Studies

By Jamie Lathan

Learn more

  • The Andy Griffith Show The Andy Griffith Show, which premiered in 1960, was initially disparaged by reviewers but became one of the most popular American television shows of all time.

Related pages

  • The Andy Griffith Show: The Andy Griffith Show, which premiered in 1960, was initially disparaged by reviewers but became one of the most popular American television shows of all time.
  • The African American State Fair: For several years in the late nineteenth century, African American farmers held their own state fair in Raleigh to showcase improvements in agriculture.
  • Going to the movies: Newspaper article about the first "talkie" shown in Wilmington, North Carolina, 1929. Includes historical background and commentary.

Related topics

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Learning outcomes

Content

  • Students will be able to identify the factors that caused widespread anxieties in America in the 1960s.
  • Students will gain an understanding of the appeal of The Andy Griffith Show in its historical context.

Skill

Students will write an essay.

Teacher planning

Materials needed

Student computers with internet access to access the web page used in the activities. Alternatively, the page could be projected for the class or printed copies may be used.

Time required

One class period

Activities

  1. Have students complete the following chart as a review of the 1960s in the United States:
    Americans’ domestic fears in the 1960sAmericans’ foreign fears in the 1960s
  2. Have students read the article “The Andy Griffith Show” in the North Carolina digital history textbook.
  3. Have the students make a list of all of the qualities of The Andy Griffith Show that made it popular to Americans in the 1960s.
  4. Ask the students to write a one-page answer that answers this question:
    In what ways did The Andy Griffith Show serve as an comforting escape for Americans in the 1960s?

Teacher guide

Student responses to the chart might include:

Americans’ domestic fears in the 1960sAmericans’ foreign fears in the 1960s
  • Violent and non-violent protests against the Vietnam War
  • Violent and non-violent protests for civil rights
  • Atomic warfare
  • Social change; women’s rights and rights of minorities
  • Cold War with the Soviet Union
  • Cuban Missile Crisis
  • Bay of Pigs invasion

Students might mention the following aspects of The Andy Griffith Show in response to the essay question:

  • “down home” feel
  • comedy with Deputy Barney Fife
  • gentle
  • relaxed
  • slow-paced
  • traditional roles for men and women

Many other answers are acceptable.

Assessment

√+The essay mentions a substantial number of the fears and appealing characteristics of The Andy Griffith Show.
√The essay mentions a few of the fears and appealing characteristics of The Andy Griffith Show.
√-Student did not complete the asssignment.

North Carolina curriculum alignment

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 8

  • Goal 7: The learner will analyze changes in North Carolina during the postwar period to the 1970's.
    • Objective 7.02: Evaluate the importance of social changes to different groups in North Carolina.
    • Objective 7.04: Compare and contrast the various political viewpoints surrounding issues of the post World War II era.

  • North Carolina Essential Standards

    • Social Studies (2010)

      • Grade 8

        • 8.H.3 Understand the factors that contribute to change and continuity in North Carolina and the United States. 8.H.3.1 Explain how migration and immigration contributed to the development of North Carolina and the United States from colonization to contemporary...