Roaring 20s, Great Depression
Eleanor Roosevelt and Civil Rights
--Toni Fuss Kirkwood-Tucker
Eleanor Roosevelt’s fearless advocacy of the rights of African Americans, and the public controversy this created, offer students an excellent window into the society and politics of the United States during the 1930s and 1940s.
* http://publications.socialstudies.org/se/7505/750511245.pdf
The WPA American Guide Series: Local History Treasures for the Classroom
--Syd Golston
The state guidebooks created by writers, academics, and historians under FDR’s jobs program offer a wealth of social history that will lead students to a greater understanding of their own towns as part of the panorama of American history.
Bridge to the Future: Franklin Roosevelt’s Speech at the Dedication of the Triborough Bridge (Teaching with Documents)
--David L. Rosenbaum
The featured document from FDR’s speech inaugurating the Triborough Bridge provides an entry point for the study of New Deal programs and discussion of the government’s role in planning, funding, and creating infrastructure.
Letter to the Senate Banking Committee about Wall Street Reform Legislation during the New Deal (Teaching with Documents)
--Christine Blackerby
The featured document on federal aid for school lunches and the accompanying essay on the School Lunch Act provide students with a unique chance to study the role of government.
Comparing FSA Photographs by Ben Shahn: A Lesson in Media Literacy
--Robert J. Stevens and Jared A. Fogel
Students compare and analyze two Great Depression-era photographs and a color poster by Ben Shahn and read his biography (all are handouts).
This URL downloads all 16 pages of Middle Level Learning as a pdf of about 0.8 MB:
* http://members.ncss.org/mll/35/MLL35.pdf
King Coal: A Piece of Eastern Pennsylvania History
--Jill M. Beccaris and Christine Woyshner
A variety of activities help students learn about the coal miners and steels workers (many of them new immigrants) during the Industrial Age. A handout is based on an oral interview, and provides a photo of child coal miners, 1911.
This URL downloads all 16 pages of Middle Level Learning as a pdf of about 1.2 MB: --> read more »
Radio Days in the Classroom
--Dan Schuchat
A radio drama project helps students learn about the 1920s and 30s as well as the important role that technology plays in our lives. Handouts include "Early Radio in the U.S." and "Bandwidth Problems ca. 1912: The Need for Federal Regulation."
This URL downloads all 16 pages of Middle Level Learning as a pdf of about 1.0 MB:
* http://members.ncss.org/mll/23/MLL23.pdf
“Maybe You Could Help?” Letters to Eleanor Roosevelt
--Mary Mason Royal
In small groups, students read and analyze letters written by children to "Eleanor" during the Great Depression. Handouts include text of seven letters.
This URL downloads all 16 pages of Middle Level Learning as a pdf of about 1.0 MB:
* http://members.ncss.org/mll/22/MLL22.pdf
