Comfort Canacoo
THE GREAT DEPRESSION
Theme: Change
Introduction
How would you feel
if you have suddenly become jobless, you can no longer afford to feed and
clothe your family, and have lost your home? Would you like someone to help
you? What if your family and friends are in the same situation? Would you
accept any kind of help from an unlikely source, the government? Most people
are against what they term “big government”, meaning giving people something
for nothing, especially welfare and social security payments to the needy in
society. What they do not realize is that these programs were introduced at a
time when the government had no choice but to come to the aid of millions of
Americans who were unemployed, homeless, and destitute. This period in America
is called the Great Depression, and it was a time when Uncle Sam came to the
aid of its citizens in need directly or indirectly Some of the programs
introduced back in the 1930s such as social security, welfare and aid to
dependent children are with us today.
TASK
You and your group are going to produce a research
paper detailing the causes of the Great Depression, its effects on the economy,
and evaluate at least two programs put in place by the government to help the
people affected by the economic down turn.
Your group must also do an oral presentation
comparing the programs as they were in the 1930s and now.
PROCESS
1.
Meet your group members regularly.
2.
Gather non-internet resources like
encyclopedia and magazine articles.
3.
Check out the internet websites provided.
4.
Use worksheets to answer questions
detailing results of your search.
Gather Evidence That The Problem Exists
Identify Causes of
the Problem
Develop Solutions
for the Problem
5.
Write the first draft of
your report.
6.
Edit and write a final copy for
presentation.
Resources
1.
Encyclopedia
Britannica
1: 2:
4.
The
Crash
5.
Define the problem
worksheet
Evaluation
|
Levels |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
|
Minimal attempt to complete task. Too many major errors and omissions. Group members work only when prompted. Oral presentation not engaging. Written report incomplete. |
Important
information communicated. There are major errors and omissions in facts. Group members not focused enough on task. Oral presentation could be better. |
Communicates ideas clearly and provides suitable materials to support. Ideas well communicated in print and orally. Group collaboration very good. |
Clearly and effectively communicates the main idea and uses many sources to provide details. Oral presentation excellent, it catches listener’s attention. Written reports exemplary. Group collaboration excellent. |
CONCLUSION
On completing this assignment, you will have a
better understanding of the Great Depression and how it affected Americans. You
will also learn about some of the measures taken by the government to help
address the problems brought on by the Depression.
STANDARDS
Social Studies: Economics
Language Arts: Writing, speaking, note taking
ELA Standard 2
As listeners and readers, students will collect data,
facts, and ideas, discover relationships, concepts,
and generalizations; and use knowledge generated from oral, written, and
electronically produced texts. As speakers and writers, they will use oral and
written language to acquire, interpret, apply, and transmit information.
ELA Standard 3
As listeners and readers, students will analyze
experiences, ideas, information, and issues presented by others using a variety
of established criteria. As speakers and writers, they will present, in oral
and written language and from a variety of perspectives, their opinions and
judgments on experiences, ideas, information and issues.
Social Studies Standard 3
research
and analyze the major themes and developments in New York State and United
States history (e.g., colonization and settlement; Revolution and New National
Period; immigration; expansion and reform era; Civil War and Reconstruction;
The American labor movement; Great Depression; World Wars; contemporary United
States)