This lesson is the first in a larger unit on the Great Depression. In this unit, students will be focusing on determining importance; summarizing; making predictions; recognizing plot structure; and identifying flashbacks, foreshadowing and setting. Wherever possible, mini-lesson texts relate to American life in the 1930s, and all students will be reading literature circle novels set during this time period in American history.

This resource is part of the Great Depression Unit collection.

In today's lesson, students have the opportunity to explore the unit calendar and syllabus. They will then begin work on a webquest project that will build their background knowledge in preparation for this unit.

This "Please Do Now" is for use with Lesson 1 in The Great Depression unit.

This resource is part of the Great Depression Unit collection.

This webquest is for use with lessons 1 - 5 of The Great Depression unit.

Using links provided in the lesson plan and saved as bookmarks to all computers, students will respond to questions about articles, photos and video clips describing life in the 1930s. Following their completion of this research component, students will synthesize their learning by writing a letter to President Roosevelt from the point of view of an individual living during the 1930s. In their letters, they will (1) advise President Roosevelt of the difficult living conditions they are experiencing, (2) report to him the impact, if any, that the New Deal has had upon them, and (3) propose one additional action that the government should take to improve their situations.

Included in this document are a rationale for the project, a brief description of the task, a pacing guide, a rubric, research questions, prewriting space and lined pages for the first draft.

This resource is part of the Great Depression Unit collection.