Historical Thinking Matters
Social Security: 3 Day Lesson
What does social security reveal about the political and social culture of the 1930s? After beginning with a brief introductory video on the impact of the Great Depression and how various Americans, such as Huey Long and Francis...
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The Social Effects of the Great Depression
Students explore U.S. history by listening to an economics lecture. In this Great Depression lesson, students read a letter written to the President during the worst economical disaster in U.S. history. Students answer study questions...
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Your Land is My Land: A Look at Bootleg Coal Mining During the Depression
Students examine the extreme conditions of unemployment during the Great Depression. In this multiple perspectives lesson, students analyze photographs of coal mining, research and adopt the perspective of a person affected by...
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Dust Bowl Depression
Students examine the Dust Bowl and the impact it made on farm families. In this U. S. history instructional activity, students role play a writer searching for a family that moved during the Great Depression. Students uncover what...
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Depression Nutrition Plan
Students plan meals for a day based on their own caloric needs, make a shopping list, and "shop" on line. In this Great Depression nutrition plan lesson, students calculate their caloric needs and plan meals before "shopping" for their...
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Dear Mrs. Roosevelt
Students develop an understanding of how the Great Depression impacted people. In this writing, analyzing and cooperative groups lesson, students inquire about the Great Depression. Students identify problems children faced during this...
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Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Students read the novel Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry to determine how the Great Depression affected teens. They compare the problems faced during the Great Depression to those teens face today.
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Migrant Workers Through the Lens of Dorothea Lange
Students explore the lives of migrant workers during the Great Depression. In this Great Depression activity, students examine photographs and song lyrics to gain an understanding of the conditions for people living in the era. Students...
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The Crash, the Dust, and the New Deal
Students explore the Great Depression. In this American history lesson, students examine primary sources in order to research the Stock Market Crash of 1929, the Dust Bowl, and the Neal Deal. Students study the impact on these events on...
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What Kind of Santa Claus You Are.
Students use a photograph analysis sheet to analyze primary sources (photographs) of the Great Depression in small groups. They then write a poem about kids in the Depression Era that reflects their comprehension of the period and its...
National First Ladies' Library
Eleanor Roosevelt: Economics, Discovery and Daily Life
Examine the causes and effects of the Great Depression and the role of Eleanor Roosevelt during the era. Pupils take an inventory of their home for wants and needs, and conduct online research on The Great Depression. They then convert...
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Hard Times, Soft Sell
Students analyze art to determine themes for the Great Depression Era. In this Great Depression lesson plan, students identify themes for the era and research evidence for the themes to present to the class. Students interview family...
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Hooverville Diorama
Fifth graders explore life during the Great Depression. In this Great Depression lesson, 5th graders gain an understanding of what life was like during the Great Depression. Students draw conditions that families lived in and construct...
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America's Economy: Sorrow And Hope
Students discover how Americans found the hope that broke the Great Depression. In this American economics lesson, students watch "America's Economy: Sorrow and Hope." Students then discuss the implications of the depression and...
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A New Deal for the Arts - WPA Photographs
Middle schoolers examine school life during the 1930s. They discuss the Great Depression and the New Deal, examine and discuss photographs from the Library of Congress website, and complete a worksheet about school life during the Great...
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Connection to the Past
Young scholars learn basic interviewing and biography writing skills. They first identify a senior citizen in their community who remembers the Great Depression.
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The Three R's: Relief, Recovery and Reform through the New Deal Programs
Students explore how the United States recovered from the Great Depression. For this history lesson, students research a chosen program that was implemented by Franklin D. Roosevelt, then create an informational brochure or pamphlet...
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Off to Work We Go!
Students create a book about The Great Depression in West Virginia. In this West Virginia history lesson, students visit the West Virginia State Museum, answer questions about West Virginia history, and create a book entitled...
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The Reality of Life in the 1930s
Students examine the life style of the 1930's using art, music, the Internet and interviews as resources. They complete worksheets including a Venn diagram comparing two pieces of artwork. They determine what life during the Great...
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WWI and Twenties & Thirties
Students study economics and timelines of events to understand changes in America. In this Twenties and Thirties lesson, students navigate Internet sites to research famous reformers. Students recognize the economic changes through...
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Discover the Real Depression
Eleventh graders take a closer look at living conditions during the Great Depression. In this Great Depression lesson, 11th graders analyze primary source packets that their teachers prepare and then record facts about life for Americans...
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To Kill a Mockingbird: A Historical Perspective
Learners research the Great Depression. In this Great Depression lesson, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of life in the American south during the depression era as they read Harper Lee's To Kill a...
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Dancing Into History from Dance in America: Acts of Ardor: Two Dances by Paul Taylor
Students watch a video of a performance choreographed by Paul Taylor. They research the Great Depression and issues facing teenagers today. They create a dance that shows a historic period of the United States.
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Lines From Behind the Lines
Fifth graders create a timeline of events in a soldiers life. In this World War I lesson, 5th graders learn about the Great Depression and World War I. Students watch video segments about World War I and examine primary sources from...