Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Understanding the Great Depression: Students will be introduced to the topic and its significance in history. They will learn about the economic collapse, the impact it had on people's lives, and the measures taken to address it.

2. Analyzing Primary and Secondary Sources: Students will develop skills in analyzing primary and secondary sources related to the Great Depression. They will learn how to identify bias, reliability, and relevance to the topic.

3. Applying Knowledge to Present Day: Students will apply their understanding of the Great Depression to current economic and social issues. They will be encouraged to draw connections between historical events and their modern-day implications.

Secondary Objectives:

• Promoting Group Discussions: The flipped classroom methodology encourages active participation and group discussions. This will help students to develop their communication and critical thinking skills.

• Encouraging Independent Learning: Through the pre-class video and reading, students will be encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and come prepared for the class activities.

• Fostering Digital Literacy: Utilizing online resources for the pre-class activities will help students develop their digital literacy skills, which are essential in today's world.

Introduction (10 - 12 minutes)

1. Review of Related Topics: The teacher begins the class by reminding students of the key concepts they have learned in previous history classes, such as the Roaring Twenties and the stock market crash of 1929. This will lay the groundwork for understanding the Great Depression as a direct consequence of these events. (2 - 3 minutes)

2. Problem Situations: The teacher presents two problem situations to the students:

   • "Imagine waking up one day and finding out that all the money you and your family have saved is now worthless. What would you do?"

   • "Consider a time when you couldn't afford to buy basic necessities like food, clothes, or even a place to live. How would this impact your life and the lives of those around you?"

   These scenarios help students to grasp the gravity of the economic collapse and its effects on people's lives. (3 - 4 minutes)

3. Real-World Contextualization: The teacher explains the importance of understanding the Great Depression by relating it to current economic crises. They can draw parallels between the measures taken during the Great Depression, such as the creation of social security, and the recent economic stimulus packages. This will help students see the relevance of historical events to their present lives. (2 - 3 minutes)

4. Attention-Grabbing Introduction: The teacher introduces the topic of the Great Depression with two intriguing stories:

   • "Did you know that during the Great Depression, some people had to resort to eating grass and even cardboard to survive? This shows just how desperate the situation was."

   • "Here's something interesting: despite the economic collapse, the entertainment industry thrived during this time. Movie theaters saw a surge in attendance as people sought an escape from their harsh realities."

   These stories will capture the students' attention and pique their curiosity about the topic. (2 - 3 minutes)

Development

Pre-Class Activities (15 - 20 minutes)

1. Video Presentation: The teacher assigns a short animated video about the Great Depression, making sure it's an appropriate resource for 2nd-grade high school students. The video, which tells the story of the Great Depression in a simplified and engaging manner, helps students understand the causes, the impact, and the measures taken to address the crisis. The link to the video is shared with the students on the school's online learning platform or via email. (8 - 10 minutes)

2. Reading Material: Alongside the video, students are assigned to read a chapter from the history textbook that discusses the Great Depression in more detail. The chapter provides additional information and context that complements the video, making the topic more comprehensive. The teacher highlights the importance of note-taking during these activities, as these notes will be used in the in-class discussion and activities. (7 - 10 minutes)

3. Discussion Questions: To ensure students engage critically with the material, the teacher provides a set of discussion questions related to the video and text. These questions are designed to encourage students to analyze the content, draw connections between events, and think about the impact of the Great Depression. The teacher instructs students to write down their answers and thoughts, as they'll be using them in the in-class activities. (5 minutes)

In-Class Activities (25 - 30 minutes)

1. Activity 1: The Great Depression Newsroom (10 - 12 minutes)

   • The teacher divides the students into groups of 5. Each group will represent a newsroom in the 1930s, reporting on the events and situations they learned about in the pre-class materials.

   • The teacher hands out envelopes to each group, which contain different event cards representing various aspects of the Great Depression (e.g., stock market crash, unemployment, Dust Bowl, New Deal).

   • Each group then has to create a news report about the Great Depression using the event cards as their primary sources. The groups are encouraged to use the knowledge they gained from the video, reading, and their own research to make their news reports as informative and engaging as possible.

   • The news reports should include details about the causes, effects, and solutions of the Great Depression. Students should also consider the human impact of the crisis, emphasizing the personal stories and struggles of people during this time.

   • After the news reports are completed, each group will present their report to the class. The teacher will assess the reports for accuracy, creativity, and cohesiveness.

2. Activity 2: The Great Depression Debate (10 - 12 minutes)

   • Following the newsroom activity, the teacher now transforms the classroom into a debate arena, where students will debate on the positive and negative effects of the New Deal—an economic program implemented during the Great Depression.

   • Two groups are formed, one representing the positive effects and the other the negative effects of the New Deal. Each group is given a set of points to argue based on the information they've learned from the pre-class materials.

   • Before the debate starts, each group is given time to strategize and prepare their arguments. During this time, the teacher moves around the classroom, providing guidance and answering any questions.

   • The debate commences, with each group presenting their points and rebutting the other group's arguments. The teacher moderates the debate, ensuring that it remains respectful, on-topic, and engaging.

   • At the end of the debate, the class votes on which group made the most compelling arguments. The teacher then provides feedback on the debate and facilitates a class discussion to summarize the key points.

These activities are designed to encourage active learning, critical thinking, and collaboration among the students. By participating in these role-playing and debate exercises, students will gain a deeper understanding of the Great Depression and its significance in history.

Feedback (8 - 10 minutes)

1. Group Discussion and Reflection: The teacher brings the class back together for a group discussion. Each group is given up to 3 minutes to present their solutions or conclusions from the activities. The teacher facilitates the discussion, encouraging students to share their thoughts, ask questions, and provide feedback to their peers. (5 - 6 minutes)

2. Connecting Theory, Practice, and Applications: The teacher then draws connections between the activities and the theoretical knowledge acquired from the pre-class materials. They highlight how the activities provided a practical application of the students' understanding of the Great Depression, its causes, effects, and solutions. They also discuss how the debate allowed students to explore the complexity of historical events and the different perspectives surrounding them. (2 - 3 minutes)

3. Reflection Time: The teacher asks students to take a minute to reflect on the day's lesson. They are prompted to think about the most important concept they learned, any questions they still have, and how they can apply their new knowledge in real-life situations. The teacher emphasizes that it's okay to have unanswered questions and encourages students to continue exploring the topic on their own. (1 - 2 minutes)

This feedback stage allows the teacher to assess the students' understanding, address any misconceptions, and provide further clarification on the topic. It also provides an opportunity for students to reflect on their learning, reinforcing the key concepts and encouraging further exploration of the topic.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Recap of the Lesson: The teacher summarizes the main points of the lesson, reminding students about the causes, impacts, and solutions of the Great Depression. They also recap the key activities, such as the Newsroom role-play and the New Deal debate, and how these activities helped students to understand the topic better. (2 - 3 minutes)

2. Connecting Theory, Practice, and Applications: The teacher explains how the lesson connected theoretical knowledge with practical applications. They highlight how the pre-class video and reading provided the foundational knowledge about the Great Depression, and how the in-class activities allowed students to apply this knowledge in a practical and engaging way. They also discuss how the debate and group discussions encouraged students to think critically and to consider different perspectives, skills that are not only important in history but also in other subjects and in life. (1 - 2 minutes)

3. Additional Materials: The teacher suggests additional resources for students who wish to explore the topic further. These resources could include documentaries about the Great Depression, biographies of people who lived through the crisis, or online articles that discuss the long-term effects of the Great Depression. The teacher reminds students to make use of the school's library and online resources for their research. (1 - 2 minutes)

4. Relevance of the Great Depression to Everyday Life: Lastly, the teacher discusses the significance of understanding the Great Depression in everyday life. They explain that the Great Depression was a period of intense economic hardship, and the measures taken to address it, such as the New Deal, have had a lasting impact on American society. They also highlight that studying historical events like the Great Depression can help us understand and navigate current economic and social challenges. For instance, the recent economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has seen governments implement stimulus packages similar to the New Deal. Understanding the history of such measures can help us evaluate their effectiveness and potential implications. (1 minute)

By the end of the lesson, students should have a comprehensive understanding of the Great Depression, its causes, impacts, and solutions, and be able to apply this knowledge to their daily lives. They should also be equipped with the skills to analyze historical events critically and to consider multiple perspectives.