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The Great Depression

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Subject: History, Social Studies

Lesson Length: 45 - 90 mins

Topic: The Great Depression

Grade Level: 6, 7, 8

Standards / Framework:

Brief Description: Students will learn about the Great Depression and demonstrate their understanding of this economic downfall.

Know Before You Start: Students should have some knowledge of the Great Depression before completing this activity.

Hook:

  • Read the sample comic and discuss the Great Depression.

    • What were its causes?

    • What were the effects?

  • List student answers on the board.

  • If time allows, have students conduct additional online research on its causes and effects. Add this additional research to the board.

Activity:

  • Using the sample comic as a guide, have students create a comic of 10 or more panels telling the story of the Great Depression and Black Tuesday. 

  • Using dialogue, students should explain four causes of Black Tuesday.

  • Remind students to use backgrounds that are appropriate and add to the story being told.

Closure:

  • Have students share finished comics with a partner, in groups or with the whole class.

  • Display printed comics on a classroom bulletin board.

Differentiation:

  • Allow students to use the speech-to-text feature.

  • Allow students to work in pairs or groups as needed.

  • Provide a printout of the sample comic for student reference.

Resources:

  • Comic to print or display: Comic.

Suggested Content Packs:

Suggested Story Starters:

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