Great Depression

UNIT 12 19-24 DAYS Resources for teachers to aid classroom instruction that cover Texas History during the period 1929 - 1941. Brought to you by The Portal to Texas History

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Pacing

Total length of all materials in the unit: 17 – 19 days

11 – 13 Estimated Instructional Days
3 Optional Extension Activity
3 optional review days prior to assessment
12 – 15 Estimated Instructional Days
4 – 6 Optional Extension Days
3 Optional review days prior to assessment

Just the Basics:

To meet the TEKS requirements while minimizing the amount of time spent in the unit, educators can focus solely on the following lessons (Approximately 8 - 10 class periods)

The Big Picture (1 class period)
Vocabulary (2 class periods)
What’s the Story? (1 - 2 class periods)
Stock Market Crash of 1929 (1 class period)
The Dust Bowl (1 class period)
New Deal Alphabet Soup (2 class periods)
Who’s Who of the Great Depression – John Nance Garner (1 class period)

Era Overview

The Great Depression (1929-1941) was the worst financial crises ever faced by Texans and Americans. When the stock market crashed in October 1929, Americans lost $40 billion overnight and everything began falling apart. Businesses and banks soon collapsed, which meant that suddenly no one was buying the two major exports offered by Texans: cotton and oil. The Texas economy, as a result, quickly collapsed and by 1934 more than a million Texans needed help just feeding and clothing their families.

In the depths of the crisis, Texans helped elect Franklin Roosevelt as president. Roosevelt had promised to address the Great Depression by giving Americans a “New Deal,” which was a series of programs and agencies that each tackled problems brought on by the Depression. These New Deal programs did a lot of things, but most focused on putting Americans back to work by having the U.S. government hire people to do things like build new roads, bridges, libraries, post offices, and the like. And so the federal government set up new programs like the Works Progress Administration, which hired 8.5 million Americans and eventually built 8,000 parks, 125,000 buildings, and more than 650,000 miles of roads during the 1930s.

In so doing, the New Deal built much-needed infrastructure and transformed the lives of rural Texans by bringing electricity to places like the Hill Country. Yet it did not solve everything. Although the economy had gotten better by the late 1930s, the Depression had not yet ended. Some Texans worried that the federal government might be doing too much and that Franklin Roosevelt might be overstepping his powers as president. Other people, however, worried that Roosevelt and the government had not done enough to end the Great Depression.

Then, suddenly, the United States entered World War II, and everything changed once again. The massive mobilization for war required by World War II would, once again, transform Texas and finally ended the financial crisis of the Great Depression.

Unit Level Downloads (English)

Unit Plan

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Downloadable/Editable versions of the English language unit plan. Provides an Era Overview and pacing, and outlines each lesson’s estimated completion time, essential questions, a description of each lesson, and student learning experiences and activities.

Other Units

Age of Oil World War II

Lessons

Most lessons contain downloadable and printable documents, activities, and other resources to aid in classroom instruction. Lesson materials are available in multiple formats and typically contain variations based on learning needs. Learn more about alternative formats here.

The Big Picture

In this one-day introductory lesson, students will be able to identify and explain the key events, major themes, and defining characteristics of the Great Depression era of history and how this era affected Texas.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Great Plains New York Stock Exchange Rural Electrification Administration Civilian Conservation Corps Public Works Administration “Roaring 20s” Stock market crash of 1929 Dust Bowl New Deal Lesson Plan, Teacher Guide, Sources Downloadable/editable versions lesson plan, including step-by-step guide lesson. When applicable, list primary sources used lesson also included. Slideshow This ready-to-use classroom slideshow contains warm-up exercise, daily objective, "We will / I will" statements, essential question lesson. It guides class assignment providing larger versions images, visual representations directions, supports reading answering questions including sentence stems in-class responses. It concludes exit ticket. Warm-up & Exit Ticket In printable warm-up / bell-ringer activity, students will use answer bank nine response options identify five statements believe true Texas United States Great Depression. In exit ticket, students will identify three statements best summarize defining characteristics era answering multi-select question. The Warm-up Exit Ticket document includes two warm-ups front page two exit tickets back page. This formatting reduces number copies needed, teachers will cut printed page half. Each student will receive half-page warm-up front exit back. Grade Level Work In printable assignment, students will make observations, inferences, predictions unit based primary source image; read essential ideas reading passage written on-grade-level Lexile Level; answer three comprehension questions material. Questions include multi-select, fill-in-the-blank graphic organizer sentence stems, chart. Foundation Work In printable assignment, students will make observations, inferences, predictions unit based primary source image assistance response options; read essential ideas reading passage written on-grade-level Lexile Level key information presented bold; answer three comprehension questions material. Questions include multi-select one answer option eliminated, fill-in-the-blank graphic organizer sentence stems response options provided, chart multiple-choice responses provided. Advanced Work In printable assignment, students will make observations, inferences, predictions unit based primary source image; read essential ideas reading passage written above-grade-level Lexile Level; answer six comprehension questions material. Questions include multi-select, two fill-in-the-blank graphic organizers, short constructed responses.

Unit Plan # 1 45-60 min

How Do We Know What We Know?

In this one day lesson, students will examine and analyze a variety of primary source materials to identify major themes, topics, and events of the era including challenges and hardships related to the Dust Bowl, life in rural and urban areas, agricultural work, and New Deal programs to address these challenges.

John Nance Garner Sam Rayburn Panhandle Great Plains Rural Electrification Administration Civilian Conservation Corps Urbanization Works Progress Administration Dust Bowl Lesson Plan, Teacher Guide, Sources Downloadable/editable versions lesson plan, including step-by-step guide lesson. When applicable, list primary sources used lesson also included. Slideshow This ready-to-use classroom slideshow contains warm-up exercise, daily objective, "We will / I will" statements, essential question lesson. It guides class assignment providing larger versions images, visual representations directions, supports reading answering questions including sentence stems in-class responses. It concludes exit ticket. Warm-up & Exit Ticket In printable warm-up / bell-ringer activity, students will read excerpt oral history interview man named John Rankin lived Texas Panhandle Great Depression Dust Bowl. Students use excerpt draw conclusions life Great Depression. In exit ticket, students will choose two points view list given options including someone lived Panhandle Dust Bowl, person rural area gaining access electricity first time, person enrolled Civilian Conservation Corps, students can create point view. Students create text message conversation 2 points view experiences Great Depression. The Warm-up Exit Ticket document includes two warm-ups front page two exit tickets back page. This formatting reduces number copies needed, teachers will cut printed page half. Each student will receive half-page warm-up front exit back. Primary Source Materials This printable material provides 10 primary source excerpts related Great Depression including oral interview transcripts, newspaper articles, political cartoon, photograph. Students will use materials complete work. Grade Level Worksheet In printable assignment, students will read introductory passage written on-grade Lexile level write short constructed response explaining two challenges people faced Great Depression using sentence stem guide response; Students choose 5 10 primary source excerpts write 3 facts brief summary excerpt. Foundation Worksheet In printable assignment, students will read introductory passage written on-grade Lexile level key information written bold lettering identify three challenges people faced era choosing multiple choice options; Students choose 4 10 primary source excerpts identify topic topics addressed excerpt write brief summary excerpt using sentence stem guide responses. Advanced Worksheet In printable assignment, students will read introductory passage written above-grade Lexile level write short constructed response explaining three challenges people faced Great Depression; Students choose six ten available primary sources identify primary topic topics, write quick notes excerpt, provide short summary excerpt.

Unit Plan # 2 45-60 min

Vocabulary

In this two-day lesson, students will learn key terms related to the Great Depression and be able to identify, define and give an example of each term within the context of the Great Depression era.

Farmers Franklin D. Roosevelt Amarillo Lubbock Great Plains Mountains and Basins Stock Market Unemployment Drought Relief Ecology Stock market crash, 1929 Dust Bowl Lesson Plan, Teacher Guide, Sources Downloadable/editable versions lesson plan, including step-by-step guide lesson. When applicable, list primary sources used lesson also included. Slideshow This ready-to-use classroom slideshow contains warm-up exercise, daily objective, "We will / I will" statements, essential question lesson. It guides class assignment providing larger versions images, visual representations directions, supports reading answering questions including sentence stems in-class responses. It concludes exit ticket. Warm-up & Exit Ticket In printable warm-up / bell-ringer activity, students will self-assess prior knowledge four vocabulary terms unit: economic depression, relief, unemployment, stock market. Students will determine level familiarity terms write know can predict infer meanings words. In exit ticket, students will use word bank different terms choose three five terms best relate major themes unit. They will highlight circle terms. Students create short, constructed response explaining one chosen terms relates represents main ideas major events unit. The Warm-up Exit Ticket document includes two warm-ups front page two exit tickets back page. This formatting reduces number copies needed, teachers will cut printed page half. Each student will receive half-page warm-up front exit back. Grade Level Work In printable assignment, students will read short passages introducing unit vocabulary context provide definition, example reading, visual representation term Foundation Work In printable assignment, students will students will read short passages introducing unit vocabulary context choose multiple choice options identify correct definition term create visual representation term. Advanced Work In printable assignment, students will students will read short passages introducing unit vocabulary context provide definition, example reading, antonym, visual representation term, use complete sentence. Optional Grade Level Vocabulary Quiz In printable assignment, students will match vocabulary terms definitions, complete fill-in-the-blank statements using terms word bank, answer five comprehension questions based 8th grade STAAR question types including short constructed response sentence stems guide responses multi-select. Questions include primary source materials including excerpt photograph. Optional Foundation Vocabulary Quiz In printable assignment, students will use multiple-choice answer options match vocabulary terms definitions, complete fill-in-the-blank statements using multiple-choice options, answer four comprehension questions based 8th grade STAAR question types including short constructed response sentence stems response options multi-select. Questions multiple-choice options one option eliminated. Questions include primary source materials including excerpt photograph. Optional Advanced Vocabulary Quiz In printable assignment, students identify match vocabulary terms definitions, complete fill-in-the-blank statements terms, answer four comprehension questions based 8th grade STAAR question types including short constructed response multi-select. Questions include primary source materials including excerpt photograph.

Unit Plan # 3 90-165 min

What's the Story?

In this two-day lesson, students will examine six readings presenting significant events that took place during the Great Depression including the stock market crash, the establishment of New Deal programs, and the Dust Bowl, and identify their significance to United States and Texas history.

Franklin D. Roosevelt Sam Rayburn John Nance Garner Lyndon B. Johnson Farmers Great Plains Panhandle Stock market New Deal Securities and Exchange Commission Rural Electrification Administration Works Progress Administration Social Security Act Civilian Conservation Corps Agricultural Adjustment Act Jim Crow laws Stock market crash, 1929 Dust Bowl Boom and bust cycles Lesson Plan, Teacher Guide, Sources Downloadable/editable versions lesson plan, including step-by-step guide lesson. When applicable, list primary sources used lesson also included. Slideshow This ready-to-use classroom slideshow contains warm-up exercise, daily objective, "We will / I will" statements, essential question lesson. It guides class assignment providing larger versions images, visual representations directions, supports reading answering questions including sentence stems in-class responses. It concludes exit ticket. Warm-up & Exit Ticket In printable warm-up / bell-ringer activity, students will read three (fictional) newspaper headlines related era write least one piece information expect read article. Headlines include, “Crisis: No One Buying Texas Oil Cotton,” “Federal Government Helps Struggling Americans,” “Dust Storms Affect Panhandle Farmers.” In exit ticket, students will choose ONE event era list options write least one cause one effect chosen event. Events include stock market crash 1929, falling oil gas prices Texas, Roosevelt’s New Deal, Dust Bowl. The Warm-up Exit Ticket document includes two warm-ups front page two exit tickets back page. This formatting reduces number copies needed, teachers will cut printed page half. Each student will receive half-page warm-up front exit back. Grade Level Work In printable assignment, students will create short, constructed responses record date/dates timeframe, key information readings. They choose three options provided accurate description significance topic. Foundation Work In printable assignment, students will complete chronological timeline notes chart choosing multiple-choice response options dates, key details, significance event. Advanced Work In printable assignment, students will create short, constructed responses complete timeline recording date/dates timeframe, key details, significance events described reading. Grade Level Readings This set six printable short readings key topics events Great Depression. Readings half-page long written grade-level Lexile level. Foundations Readings This set six printable short readings key topics events Great Depression. Readings half-page long written grade-level Lexile level key information presented bold. Advanced Readings This set six printable short readings key topics events Great Depression. Readings half-page long written above-grade Lexile level.

Unit Plan # 4 90-120 min

Who's Who of the Great Depression

In this one or multi-day optional extension lesson, students will read passages about key people of the Great Depression to identify and summarize each person’s significance to the era. This lesson includes multiple ways to interact with the materials including biographical fact sheets, a dinner party activity, “I have / Who has” and student worksheets.

John Nance Garner Lyndon Baines Johnson Jesse Holman Jones Sam Rayburn James V Allred Jessie Harriet Daniel Ames Charlotte Smith Graham Emma Tenayuca Claudia “Lady Bird” Taylor Johnson Houston New Deal Rural Electrification Administration National Youth Administration Securities and Exchange Commission Reconstruction Finance Corporation Women’s suffrage San Jacinto Monument National Recovery Administration Garment workers strike Dallas International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Garment workers strike Dallas Pecan Shellers strike San Antonio Lesson Plan, Teacher Guide, Sources Downloadable/editable versions lesson plan, including step-by-step guide lesson. When applicable, list primary sources used lesson also included. Slideshow This ready-to-use classroom slideshow contains warm-up exercise, daily objective, "We will / I will" statements, essential question lesson. It guides class assignment providing larger versions images, visual representations directions, supports reading answering questions including sentence stems in-class responses. It concludes exit ticket. Warm-up & Exit Ticket In printable warm-up / bell-ringer activity, students will consider, record, describe objects items might find time capsule 1929 1939 explain reason item type person may included it. In exit ticket, students will choose one person lesson make inferences based readings person likely felt various topics Great Depression. The Warm-up Exit Ticket document includes two warm-ups front page two exit tickets back page. This formatting reduces number copies needed, teachers will cut printed page half. Each student will receive half-page warm-up front exit back. Grade Level Work In printable assignment, students will use readings record important information person including from, role Great Depression era, one three significant facts achievements. Foundation Work In printable assignment, students will use readings record important information person including role Great Depression era one two significant facts achievements. Advanced Work In printable assignment, students will use readings record important information person including from, interesting significant background information, role Great Depression, 3 significant facts achievements. Grade Level Readings This printable set readings eight individuals significant Great Depression era Texas history. Readings written grade level Lexile level. Foundation Readings This printable set readings eight individuals significant Great Depression era Texas history. Readings written grade level Lexile level include key information presented bold lettering. Advanced Readings This printable set readings eight individuals significant Great Depression era Texas history. Readings written seventh grade Lexile level, includes challenging vocabulary phrasing. I / Who Has? This printable activity set clue cards significant person readings. Students must determine person based clues given. It appropriate levels. Because fewer people unit, activity can completed smaller student groups. It may take approximately 30 - 45 minutes. Dinner Party Activity In printable assignment, students will choose 4 people lesson invite fictional dinner. Students will explain choices complete several short activities based points view chosen guests, including explaining agreements disagreements might occur dinner, guest might respond series questions, dialogue guests. It appropriate levels can shortened accommodate needs diverse learners. These activities can assigned altogether (approximately 45 – 60 minutes), activity can shortened assigning one activities (20 - 30 minutes.) Biographical Fact Sheet In printable assignment, students examine one specific person Who’s Who readings record significant information reading. It appropriate levels. This worksheet appropriate levels can adapted require less writing. (Approximately 45 – 60 minutes.) Job Application In activity, students will choose one people Who’s Who readings unit complete job application chosen person’s point view. Students may pick job, including modern jobs. Students complete application best ability, creating appropriate responses based inferences person necessary. This activity appropriate academic levels. The amount writing can increased decreased desired.

Extension 45-180 min

The Stock Market Crash of 1929

In this one-day lesson, students will investigate the effects of the stock market crash on people who had invested in the market as well as the American economy as a whole by taking part in an investment simulation activity.

New York Houston Dallas New York Stock Exchange Oil industry Boom-and-bust cycle Loans Debt Radio Corporation of America (RCA) Stock market crash, 1929 Buying on margin Lesson Plan, Teacher Guide, Sources Downloadable/editable versions lesson plan, including step-by-step guide lesson. When applicable, list primary sources used lesson also included. Slideshow This ready-to-use classroom slideshow contains warm-up exercise, daily objective, "We will / I will" statements, essential question lesson. It guides class assignment providing larger versions images, visual representations directions, supports reading answering questions including sentence stems in-class responses. It concludes exit ticket. Warm-up & Exit Ticket In printable warm-up / bell-ringer activity, students will introduced term, “inflation.” They will match 5 items jobs including loaf bread average weekly salaries restaurant servers monetary value 1929. The results warm-up can used throughout rest lesson put amounts money discussed lesson context era. In exit ticket, students will read short passage secondary source work, Gone Texas: A History Lone Star State, presenting several specific ways stock market crash affected Texas economy. Students summarize one effect crash Texas economy based excerpt. The Warm-up Exit Ticket document includes two warm-ups front page two exit tickets back page. This formatting reduces number copies needed, teachers will cut printed page half. Each student will receive half-page warm-up front exit back. Grade Level Work In printable assignment, students will fill blanks graphic organizers provided based decisions make class, including information options presented them, loans decide take out, profits, losses. Equations included allowing students plug numbers related investment. The work ends students creating short, constructed response related crash likely affected families assistance sentence stems, effects buying margin multiple-choice options, overall effects crash U.S. economy multi-select option question. Foundation Work In printable assignment, students will fill blanks graphic organizers provided based decision make class, including information options presented them, loans decide take out, profits, losses. Equations included allowing students plug numbers related investment. The amount writing reduced grade level work. The work ends students creating short, constructed response related crash likely affected families assistance sentence stems, effects buying margin multiple-choice options one answer option eliminated, overall effects crash U.S. economy multi-select option question one answer option eliminated. Advanced Work In printable assignment, students will fill graphic organizers based decision make class, including information options presented them, loans decide take out, profits, losses. The work ends students creating short, constructed response related crash likely affected families, effects buying margin, overall effects crash U.S. economy.

Unit Plan # 5 45-60 min

The Dust Bowl

In this one-day lesson, students will be able to explain what the Dust Bowl was and provide some of its primary causes and effects by examining and analyzing a set of primary source materials including newspaper articles, transcripts of oral history interviews, and images. There is an optional 30-45 minute writing activity that can conclude the lesson.

Dorothea Lange Oklahoma Panhandle Great Plains California Boom and bust cycles Erosion Drought Civilian Conservation Corps Terracing Crop Rotation Farm Security Administration Jones-Bankhead Act Agricultural Adjustment Administration “Black Sunday” Environmentalism Lesson Plan, Teacher Guide, Sources Downloadable/editable versions lesson plan, including step-by-step guide lesson. When applicable, list primary sources used lesson also included. Slideshow This ready-to-use classroom slideshow contains warm-up exercise, daily objective, "We will / I will" statements, essential question lesson. It guides class assignment providing larger versions images, visual representations directions, supports reading answering questions including sentence stems in-class responses. It concludes exit ticket. Warm-up & Exit Ticket In printable warm-up / bell-ringer activity, students will examine primary source excerpt Texas newspaper discussing challenges related Dust Bowl, including depletion native grasses, erosion, harmful farming practices. Students will state expect learn lesson based primary source excerpt. In exit ticket, students will explain Dust Bowl demonstrate comprehension causes effects Dust Bowl completing graphic organizer. The Warm-up Exit Ticket document includes two warm-ups front page two exit tickets back page. This formatting reduces number copies needed, teachers will cut printed page half. Each student will receive half-page warm-up front exit back. Primary Source Excerpts This printable material provides set eleven primary source materials students use complete assignment. Materials include newspaper articles, transcripts oral history interviews, photographs. Text-based materials include vocabulary assistance. Grade Level Work In printable assignment, students will read introductory passage Dust Bowl explain Dust Bowl caused using sentence stems guide responses. Students use primary source materials summarize causes, effects, New Deal programs, personal experiences related Dust Bowl. Students provide examples 2 primary source excerpts topic. Finally, lesson ends optional writing activity students create journal entry point view someone experienced Dust Bowl firsthand. Foundation Work In printable assignment, students will read introductory passage Dust Bowl key information presented bold. They organize statements reading one three categories including: Definition, Cause, Effect. Students use primary source materials summarize causes, effects, New Deal programs, personal experiences related Dust Bowl. Students provide examples 1 primary source excerpts topic. Finally, lesson ends optional writing activity students create journal entry point view someone experienced Dust Bowl firsthand. Advanced Work In printable assignment, students will read introductory passage Dust Bowl above-grade level Lexile level identify Dust Bowl make predictions effects people Great Plains region. Students use primary source materials summarize causes, effects, New Deal programs, personal experiences related Dust Bowl. Students provide examples three primary source excerpts topic. Finally, lesson ends optional writing activity students create journal entry point view someone experienced Dust Bowl firsthand.

Unit Plan # 6 45-60 min

New Deal Alphabet Soup

In this one day lesson, students will examine the key components and goals of up to 16 New Deal programs. They will determine which programs would have been most beneficial to Texas based on the specific challenges facing Texans during the Great Depression, and they will create a “recipe” of their chosen New Deal programs.

Great Plains Federal Reserve Bank Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Federal Emergency Relief Act Public Works Administration Civilian Conservation Corps Civil Works Administration Agricultural Adjustment Act Farm Credit Administration National Industrial Recovery Act Homeowners Loan Act Works Progress Administration National Youth Administration Rural Electrification Administration Social Security Act National Labor Relations Act Fair Labor Standards Act Minimum Wage Unions Child Labor Segregation Lesson Plan, Teacher Guide, Sources Downloadable/editable versions lesson plan, including step-by-step guide lesson. When applicable, list primary sources used lesson also included. Slideshow This ready-to-use classroom slideshow contains warm-up exercise, daily objective, "We will / I will" statements, essential question lesson. It guides class assignment providing larger versions images, visual representations directions, supports reading answering questions including sentence stems in-class responses. It concludes exit ticket. Warm-up & Exit Ticket In printable warm-up / bell-ringer activity, students will consider list factors believe contribute makes recipe great compared makes recipe terrible. In exit ticket, students will use sentence stems write create claim New Deal program think beneficial Texas explain decision. The Warm-up Exit Ticket document includes two warm-ups front page two exit tickets back page. This formatting reduces number copies needed, teachers will cut printed page half. Each student will receive half-page warm-up front exit back. Alphabet Soup Cards This printable material provides set information cards 16 New Deal programs. Each card ¼ page size provides brief description key components program purpose goals. Grade Level Work In printable assignment, students will research ten sixteen New Deal programs, summarizing key components goals giving rating 1 (least useful Texas) 5 (most useful Texas.) Students choose four programs use “ingredients” alphabet soup recipe, providing reasoning chose program. The lesson concludes students writing two reviews recipes created classmates. Writing passages written on-grade level Lexile level. Foundation Work In printable assignment, students will research 8 programs, summarizing key components goals giving rating 1 (least useful Texas) 5 (most useful Texas.) Students choose three programs use “ingredients” alphabet soup recipe, providing reasoning chose program. The lesson concludes students writing one review recipes created classmates. Writing passages written on-grade level Lexile level key information presented bold. Less writing required foundations work. Advanced Work In printable assignment, students will research sixteen programs, summarizing key components goals giving rating 1 (least useful Texas) 5 (most useful Texas.) Students choose five programs use “ingredients” alphabet soup recipe, providing reasoning chose program. The lesson concludes students writing three reviews recipes created classmates. Writing passages written grade-level Lexile level writing required advanced work.

Unit Plan # 7 90-120 min

East Texas Oil Wars

In this optional one-day extension lesson, students will examine the events, causes, effects, and significance of the “east Texas oil wars” which played a significant role in influencing the U.S. oil industry and economy during the Great Depression.

Ross Sterling Franklin D. Roosevelt Kilgore Longview Railroad Commission Hot oil Boom and bust cycle Lesson Plan, Teacher Guide, Sources Downloadable/editable versions lesson plan, including step-by-step guide lesson. When applicable, list primary sources used lesson also included. Slideshow This ready-to-use classroom slideshow contains warm-up exercise, daily objective, "We will / I will" statements, essential question lesson. It guides class assignment providing larger versions images, visual representations directions, supports reading answering questions including sentence stems in-class responses. It concludes exit ticket. Warm-up & Exit Ticket In printable warm-up / bell-ringer activity, students will consider real-world scenario introducing concept happens products flood market. Students asked respond possible outcome situation. This warm-up meant assist student understanding prices drop markets flooded possible effects type economic event. In exit ticket, students will create short definition east Texas oil wars provide least one cause one effect conflict. The Warm-up Exit Ticket document includes two warm-ups front page two exit tickets back page. This formatting reduces number copies needed, teachers will cut printed page half. Each student will receive half-page warm-up front exit back. Grade Level Work In printable assignment, students will read passage on-grade level Lexile level respond variety questions including multiple choice, multi-select, short constructed response sentence stems provided. Readings chunked smaller segments. Foundation Work In printable assignment, students will read passage on-grade level Lexile level key information presented bold. They will respond variety questions including multiple choice multi-select one answer options eliminated, short constructed response sentence stems response options provided. Readings chunked smaller segments. Advanced Work In printable assignment, students will read passage higher Lexile level respond several short, constructed response questions related readings.

Extension 45-60 min

The Civilian Conservation Corps Extension

In this one day lesson, students will examine primary source excerpts from an interview with a former Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) member to determine how the CCC impacted his life, his family, Texas farmers, and the environment.

Franklin D. Roosevelt Sharecroppers Grayson County Lake Texoma Soil Conservation Service Civilian Conservation Corps Boom and bust cycle Lesson Plan, Teacher Guide, Sources Downloadable/editable versions lesson plan, including step-by-step guide lesson. When applicable, list primary sources used lesson also included. Slideshow This ready-to-use classroom slideshow contains warm-up exercise, daily objective, "We will / I will" statements, essential question lesson. It guides class assignment providing larger versions images, visual representations directions, supports reading answering questions including sentence stems in-class responses. It concludes exit ticket. Warm-up & Exit Ticket In printable warm-up / bell-ringer activity, students will use brief excerpt lesson’s primary source material draw conclusions daily life Texas Great Depression. In exit ticket, students will observe map state parks built Civilian Conservation Corps identify two Texas regions contained greatest number parks provide explanation regions held parks based prior knowledge geography, landscape, resources regions. The Warm-up Exit Ticket document includes two warm-ups front page two exit tickets back page. This formatting reduces number copies needed, teachers will cut printed page half. Each student will receive half-page warm-up front exit back. Primary Source Interview This printable material provides set six, one-page excerpts interview man served Civilian Conservation Corps 1930s. Students will use interview excerpts examine analyze role Civilian Conservation Corps daily lives Texans Great Depression. Grade Level Work In printable assignment, students will respond multiple-choice, multi-select, short constructed response questions sentence stems provided guide student responses. Foundation Work In printable assignment, students will respond multiple-choice multi-select questions one answer option eliminated. They also respond short constructed response questions sentence stems response options provided. Advanced Work In printable assignment, students will respond short, constructed response questions interviewees experience Civilian Conservation Corps.

Extension 45-60 min

Texas Today

In this one day lesson, students will examine the long-lasting influence of the Civilian Conservation Corps as it relates to its work in the establishment of the state park system of Texas.

Civilian Conservation Corps State parks Lesson Plan, Teacher Guide, Sources Downloadable/editable versions lesson plan, including step-by-step guide lesson. When applicable, list primary sources used lesson also included. Slideshow This ready-to-use classroom slideshow contains warm-up exercise, daily objective, "We will / I will" statements, essential question lesson. It guides class assignment providing larger versions images, visual representations directions, supports reading answering questions including sentence stems in-class responses. It concludes exit ticket. Warm-up & Exit Ticket In printable warm-up / bell-ringer activity, students will make observations image Caddo Lakes state park accompanying caption provided image predict image connects Great Depression. In exit ticket, students will answer question based 8th grade STAAR item type, Hot Spot, identify three statements best characterize significance legacy Civilian Conservation Corps Texas. The Warm-up Exit Ticket document includes two warm-ups front page two exit tickets back page. This formatting reduces number copies needed, teachers will cut printed page half. Each student will receive half-page warm-up front exit back. Grade Level Work In printable assignment, students will research one state park designated material Portal Texas History, recording key information chosen park identifying defining 1 new challenging term reading. Students take part activity learn peers 2 additional state parks. Foundation Work In printable assignment, students will research one state park designated material Portal Texas History, recording key information chosen park identifying defining 1 new challenging term reading. Students take part activity learn peers 1 additional state park. Advanced Work In printable assignment, students will research one state park designated material Portal Texas History, recording key information chosen park identifying, defining, constructing sentence 3 new challenging terms reading. Students take part activity learn peers 3 additional state parks.

Unit Plan # 8 45-60 min

Looking Ahead

In this one-day lesson, students will examine two primary source materials addressing the initial events that caused the outbreak of World War II and the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Students will make observations, inferences, and predictions about the events of the next unit based on the primary sources.

Franklin D. Roosevelt Benito Mussolini Winston Churchill Pearl Harbor Nazi Germany Great Britain Warsaw, Poland World War II Attack on Pearl Harbor Invasion of Poland Isolationism Neutrality Lesson Plan, Teacher Guide, Sources Downloadable/editable versions lesson plan, including step-by-step guide lesson. When applicable, list primary sources used lesson also included. Slideshow This ready-to-use classroom slideshow contains warm-up exercise, daily objective, "We will / I will" statements, essential question lesson. It guides class assignment providing larger versions images, visual representations directions, supports reading answering questions including sentence stems in-class responses. It concludes exit ticket. Warm-up & Exit Ticket In printable warm-up / bell-ringer activity, students will make observations, inferences, predictions events next unit based photograph Japanese attack U.S. naval base Pearl Harbor. In exit ticket, students will read excerpt December 7, 1941, newspaper article presenting information Britain likely U.S. declares war Japan following attack Pearl Harbor. Students asked predict U.S. might respond attack response influence war Europe. The Warm-up Exit Ticket document includes two warm-ups front page two exit tickets back page. This formatting reduces number copies needed, teachers will cut printed page half. Each student will receive half-page warm-up front exit back. Grade Level Work In printable assignment, students will answer multiple-choice questions short, constructed response questions sentence stems guide responses. They will identify summarize key information make inferences predictions events next unit. Foundation Work In printable assignment, students will answer multiple-choice questions one answer option eliminated. They will answer short, constructed response questions sentence stems response options provided. They will identify summarize key information make inferences predictions events next unit. Advanced Work In printable assignment, students will answer series short, constructed response questions identifying summarizing key information making inferences predictions events next unit.

Unit Plan # 9 45-60 min

Study Guide and Flashcards

In this one day optional review lesson, students will identify the significance of key terms, cause and effect relationships between significant events, and answer practice test questions based on 8th grade social studies STAAR item types including multi-response, inline choice, a paper-adapted version of drag and drop, multi-part, and short constructed response to prepare for the unit 12 test.

John Nance Garner Sam Rayburn Franklin D. Roosevelt J. Frank Dobie Great Plains Kilgore Longview Securities and Exchange Commission Rural Electrification Administration Civilian Conservation Corps New Deal Erosion Boom and bust cycle Stock market Railroad Commission Dust Bowl Oil wars Lesson Plan, Teacher Guide, Sources Downloadable/editable versions lesson plan, including step-by-step guide lesson. When applicable, list primary sources used lesson also included. Slideshow This ready-to-use classroom slideshow contains warm-up exercise, daily objective, "We will / I will" statements, essential question lesson. It guides class assignment providing larger versions images, visual representations directions, supports reading, taking notes, answering questions including sentence stems in-class responses. It concludes exit ticket. Flash Cards This printable material provides set flashcards containing key information, events, topics, people Great Depression era. Cards can printed single-sided cut out. Students match terms correct definitions explanations. Warm-up & Exit Ticket In printable warm-up / bell-ringer activity, students will respond paper-adapted version STAAR hot spot question type choose topics themes believe likely appear Unit 12 test. In exit ticket, students will answer series questions self-assess reflect preparedness test. The Warm-up Exit Ticket document includes two warm-ups front page two exit tickets back page. This formatting reduces number copies needed, teachers will cut printed page half. Each student will receive half-page warm-up front exit back. Grade Level Work In printable assignment, students will use word bank 9 terms unit identify definitions significance term definitions written list format; Match 6 statements events Great Depression statement’s correct effect; answer practice test questions including multi-response short constructed response. Questions include primary source excerpt analysis. Foundation Work In printable assignment, students will identify definitions significance 9 key terms definitions written list format answers multiple-choice options; Match 6 statements events Great Depression statement’s correct effect 2 answers provided; answer practice test questions including multi-response short constructed response one answer option eliminated multiple-choice questions sentence stems provided short constructed responses. Questions include primary source excerpt analysis. Advanced Work In printable assignment, students will use word bank 12 terms unit identify definitions significance 10 terms definitions written paragraph format higher Lexile level; Match 6 statements events Great Depression match statement correct effect; answer 9 practice test questions including multi-response, inline choice, paper-adapted version drag drop, multi-part, short constructed response. Questions include primary source excerpt analysis.

Review 45-60 min

Review Mind Map

In this optional one-day review lesson, students will create a visual representation of terms and concepts from the unit in the form of a mind map. Students will be able to identify how information from the unit is connected by making connections between terms on a mind map.

Review 45-60 min

Review Bingo Game

In this optional one-day review lesson, students will review key terms, ideas, people, places, events, and major themes of the Great Depression by playing Bingo using terms from the unit and clues about each term.

Review 45-60 min

Maps

We've assembled the following list of maps that are applicable to the Great Depression Unit.

Southwestern road map : 1929 official road map (showing roads radiating from El Paso, Texas with mileage between points)

"Map shows lesser and major highways, cities and towns, and points of interest for the southwestern states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, northern Mexico, and the southern portions of California, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado; distances between cities."

General soil map of Texas

"Map displays principle soil series groups in regions of Texas."

Soil map, Nacogdoches County, Texas

"Map displays soil types along with creeks, rivers, bridges, crossings, landings, lumber camps, lumber railroads, towns, churches, schools, stores, roads, and commercial railroads."

McKinney Station Map Houston & Texas Central R.R. Operated by the T. and N.O.R.R.CO.

"Station map of McKinney, Texas in Collin County from station 15623+47 to station 15679+20. Highlights estimated sale and carve out areas."

Block Map of Original Town, Abilene, Texas

"Cadastral map of the town of Abilene, Texas showing property lots as well as creeks and railroad tracks."

Map of the Gulf Coast from Padre Island to Rockport

"Map shows early nineteenth century coastal detail of the islands surrounding Corpus Christi Bay in South Texas."

Proposed Trinity River canal & conservancy district

"Map shows district boundaries encompassing Fort Worth and Dallas connected by the Trinity River; land patents, landowners, towns, roads, and railroads."

A Map to help you enjoy all the scenic historic Southwest

"Map pictorially shows points of interest across the western half of Texas, southern New Mexico, and southwestern Arizona. Includes legend."

Map of Texas

"Map shows graphic depiction of historic events, places, and trails. Includes dates and locations of events; illustrations in margins."

Official map of the highway system of Texas

"Map shows the Pan American Highway, major federal and state highways across Texas, counties, cities, free and toll bridges, free and toll ferries."

Texas railroad map

"Map shows early twentieth century Texas counties, cities, and railroad lines."

Texas Centennial Central Exposition: master plot plan

"Map shows structures, streets, and park features for the 1936 Texas Centenial Exposition. This location is now known as Fair Park and is home to the Texas State Fair."

Map of Texas Frontier Centennial fairgrounds, Fort Worth, Texas

"Map shows layout and locations of proposed buildings and features of the Texas Frontier Centennial held in 1936; West Lancaster Extension."

Official map of the highway system of Texas

"Map shows counties, major cities and towns, highways, major roads, and state parks."

Lake Dallas, Denton County, Texas : holograph, 1938

"Map showing camps and points along the shore of Lake Dallas."

Power transmission lines and power plants in Texas

"Map shows county boundaries, cities and towns along power transmission lines, and power plant locations. Includes legend indicating voltage production levels."

Texas: The Lone Star State

"Pictorial and historical map of Texas, with complementary notes and text on Exploration 1519-1685, Missions and Spanish 1682-1819, Colonization, Rumbles of Revolt, The Republic, Statehood 1845, and Secession. Map shows flags of six nations over Texas, counties and regions by terrain and vegetation type, missions, roads, the size and population, and categories of industry and agriculture by location."

Road Map of Dallas County, Texas

"Map shows county districts 1 through 4, numbers and names for county roads, railroads, street grids for cities and towns, levee improvement districts, and military facilities."

Videos

We provide videos for both continuing education and classroom use. Please see each video's descriptive page for related resources and details about accessibility and viewing options.

6 min. For Students

Preview of The Great Depression

A short introductory video to the Great Depression Unit. Includes worksheets and/or other attachments.

35 min. For Teachers

Road to the Great Depression

The early 20th century in Texas, covering: Collapse of the KKK, Roaring Twenties, Everything Falls Apart.

27 min. For Teachers