Social Studies Lesson
Textbook
The Afro-Americans in United States History
,“The Coming of the Great Depression.” Pages 266-273. Globe Book Company, New York, 1969.
Background
One of the focus books for my African-American thematic unit is
Roll of Thunder. Hear My Cry
. Since this book is set during the Great Depression, it is important that the students understand what it was like for Americans, especially the African-Americans, during that crisis time of our nation’s history. Therefore, it is important that the students gain background knowledge of this period in social studies prior to studying the literature selection.
I.
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Pre-ReadingLarge Group
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The purpose of the following activities is to activate prior knowledge, generate motivation and set purposes for reading. Depending upon the nature of the group, it might be necessary to use any combination of the options listed below:
A.
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Create a cause-effect semantic map
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1.
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Write a cause-effect semantic map with the focus word poverty on the chalkboard.
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(Figure available in printed form)
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2.
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Elicit responses from the students.
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3.
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Record responses on the chalkboard.
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4.
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Ask for clarifications in the process.
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5.
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Reflect with the students about their responses.
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6
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Summarize the ideas using the four-step summary procedure.
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LinkThe summary of the causes and effects of poverty will link the students to the concept that the period in American history called the Great Depression (1929-1939) was a time of great poverty.
B.
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Preview the text pages
. Note vocabulary, main topics, headings, sub-headings, pictures, captions, illustrations.
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C.
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Make predictions about how you think the people, especially African-Americans, fared during the Great Depression.
Record responses. Predict/Read/Prove or a modification of the procedure might be used.
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D.
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Post questions related to what the students “want to know” as a modification of a K-W-L procedure as a
pre-reading activity.
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II.
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During ReadingSmall Groups
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(5 groups with 5 students in each group)
In groups of five, the class will read the assigned textbook selection and complete the following map after reading:
(Figure available in printed form)
A.
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Reading and Recording Information in Groups
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Each of the groups will be assigned one of the above topics to complete on large newsprint. For example, group one will be assigned “Problems of African-Americans.” The group will read the selection and record information on their newsprint, etc. After recording information, each group will share its findings with the class. After sharing and discussing,
all
students will reread the entire selection to look for new information to add/delete to each group’s recorded information.
will each write a five-paragraph summary covering each of the five topics shown on the map, The reason for asking each group to write a summary of
all
the topics is to ensure knowledge of all the assignment, not just one topic. In the groups, each student will write a one paragraph summary to contribute to their five paragraph group summary. In this process, all students in the group will be required to assist in the revising, editing and proofreading of the final draft of the group summary.
III.
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Post-ReadingIndividual Activity
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A.
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Journal Writing
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TV NEWS BULLETIN
“No more jobsNo more money!”
All factories and jobs are closed! No one will be receiving pay for his/her job! What will your family do? How will you help? Describe what changes you will experience. Tell what your new life is like! Perhaps you may wish to add illustrations.
Complete the attached context vocabulary puzzle, perhaps as a homework activity. The students might be challenged to prepare a similar puzzle using other vocabulary words from the selection.
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C.
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Other Optional Post-reading Activities
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(individual or small group)
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1.
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Make up ten good questions on the social studies selection on the Great Depression. Make an answer sheet for your questions. Exchange with classmates.
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2.
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Conduct research
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¥ How did America get out of the Great Depression?
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¥ What was the “New Deal”?
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¥ Who was Franklin Roosevelt and what was his role in the Great Depression?
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3.
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Read other books about African-Americans in the Great Depression. For example, the sequel to
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Let the Circle be Unbroken
, by Mildred Taylor or
Sounder
, by W. H. Armstrong.
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