Resilience During the Great Depression

Introduction

6th Grade Wit and Wisdom Module 1

Essential Question: How can enduring tremendous hardship contribute to personal transformation?

Throughout history, people have faced difficult moments that have challenged their strength and perseverance. During the Great Depression, many Americans experienced hardships such as losing jobs, struggling to afford basic needs, and leaving their homes in search of better opportunities. Although this was a challenging time, many people found ways to overcome obstacles and grow from their experiences.

In this web quest, you will explore what life was like during the Great Depression and learn about the challenges people faced. As you discover the experiences of people during this time, consider how hardship can shape a person’s choices, perspective, and future.

Task

This WebQuest is made for an introduction for Module 1:

TASKS

  • Explore what life was like during the Great Depression.
  • Research the challenges people faced during this time.
  • Learn how the Dust Bowl affected families and communities.
  • Discover how people responded to hardship and found ways to persevere.
  • Make connections between historical events and the experiences of people who lived through them.
  • Reflect on how hardship can shape a person’s life.

Process

Step 1

You will first learn about The Great Depression. Make sure to use your prior knowledge to understand what you already know about this topic. Here is a short video to watch first:

Step 2

Visit this link right here and answer these questions in Noteability:

  1. What was the Great Depression, and how did it affect people’s lives?
  2. What events and factors caused the Great Depression?
  3. How did the Dust Bowl impact farmers and families?
  4. Who were Herbert Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt, and how did they respond to the Great Depression?
  5. What was the purpose of the New Deal, and how did it help Americans?

Step 3

Visit this link here and learn a bit more about The Dust Bowl and answer these questions in Noteability:

  1. What was the Dust Bowl, and where did it occur?
  2. What caused the Dust Bowl?
  3. How did drought and poor farming practices contribute to the Dust Bowl?
  4. How did the Dust Bowl affect farmers and families living in the region?
  5. How did the government help restore the land and support farmers?

Step 4

Take a look at this picture:

Migrant Mother

Answer these questions in Noteability:

  1. What do you notice about this photograph?
  2. What do you think the people in this photograph might be experiencing?
  3. What details from the photograph show that life was difficult during the Great Depression?
  4. How does this photograph show strength or resilience?
  5. How can difficult experiences change a person?

Step 5

Okay, now let's make some connections... 

Everyone experiences challenges in life. Think about a time when you faced something difficult or had to overcome an obstacle.

How did that experience change you? Can you explain how this may connect back to what you have just learned above?

Write FOUR complete sentences explaining your answer in Noteability. This will not be read out loud in class unless you would like to share! 

Let's take some time to discuss as a whole group

Step 6

Submit questions and answers on Noteability to teacher via Google Classroom.

Evaluation

Your understanding will be evaluated through your responses in Notability and your participation in the final class discussion. You will be successful if you:

  • Complete each step of the web quest and answer the questions using information from the provided resources.
  • Explain how the Great Depression and Dust Bowl affected people’s lives.
  • Describe how people showed resilience during difficult times.
  • Make connections between the experiences of people during the Great Depression and challenges people face today.

Great Depression Web Quest Rubric (scored out of 4)

Criteria 3 - Meets Expectations 2 - Developing 1 - Beginning
Completing the Web Quest Completed all steps and answered all questions using information from the provided resources. Completed most steps and answered most questions. Completed some steps but is missing parts of the web quest.
Understanding the Great Depression Explains what the Great Depression was, what caused it, and how it affected people. Shows some understanding of the Great Depression but needs more details or explanation. Shows limited understanding of the Great Depression and its effects on people.
Understanding Resilience Explains how people faced challenges and showed resilience during difficult times. Identifies examples of resilience but needs more explanation. Needs more practice explaining how people responded to challenges.
Reflection and Summary Makes strong connections between the web quest, the essential question, and how challenges can shape people. Makes some connections between the web quest and the essential question. Needs more practice connecting the web quest to the essential question.

Conclusion

You just learned A LOT about the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, the challenges people faced, and the ways people showed resilience during difficult times.

As we begin reading Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis, think about how the experiences people go through can shape who they become. Pay attention to the challenges Bud faces, the choices he makes, and how those experiences help him grow throughout the story.

Make sure to also think of our essential question: 

How can enduring tremendous hardship contribute to personal transformation?

Credits