This song by Billy Joel gives an outline of important (as well as less important) events, persons, etc. from 1949 to 1989, and the text itself is therefore not too difficult to understand. The difficult part is of course to understand what everything is about. This is exactly what you are supposed to find out! You may find a lot of help in section 11, section 12 and section 13 of this outline of American history.! A. There are five stanzas and a refrain. Organize four groups. All the groups except one concentrate on five of the stanzas, and the remaining group works with the 1964 - 89 period. Each of the groups is supposed to give a good, oral explanation of all the events, etc. B. Present your results in class. Encourage your fellow students to give their opinion on some of the controversial aspects of events/persons. If you want to study an example of how you may present your stanza on the Web, please, take a look at this. D. "We didn't Start the Fire" is a kind of stream of conciousness covering the postwar decades seen from an American's point-of-view. Discuss with your History, Social Science and/or Norwegian teachers whether the song is relevant to Norway as well. Specify the parts you don't find meaningful to Norwegians of your own age - and - to your parents' generation. What would you like to add instead ? "Troll" (the car), King's Bay, the European Union (EU), Alexander Kielland, blow-outs, Former Yoguslavia, .......? You just name it ! (and explain it!) |