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The Pack contains associated resources for the learning experience, typically in the form of articles and videos. There is a teacher Pack (with only teacher information) and a student Pack (which contains only student information). As a teacher, you can toggle between both to see everything.
Here are the teacher pack items for The Great Depression:
Overview In this experience, students are introduced to the Roaring Twenties and listen to an early jazz recording by Louis Armstrong. Then they examine the causes and effects of the Great Depression. Next they learn about the Dust Bowl and analyze a primary source photograph. Finally they explore the New Deal and present a WPA project from their state. If you have access to leveled readers that relate to any of the topics of this era—the Roaring Twenties and early jazz greats, the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, Franklin or Eleanor Roosevelt—assign them to the students in parallel to this experience. Estimated duration: 45-55 minutes Vocabulary words: Objectives
The decade following World War I brought rapid economic growth and change to much of the United States. The country also became more important in the world economy. This period became known as the Roaring Twenties. Automobiles, radio, and movies changed the ways many Americans traveled, communicated, and spent their free time. Jazz, which grew from Black American musical traditions, became increasingly popular, along with new styles of dancing. However, the prosperity of the 1920s was not shared equally, and it did not last. In this experience, you will learn about the Great Depression of the 1930s.
Objectives
The King & Carter Jazzing Orchestra in 1921
Before examining the Great Depression, let’s take a look at a special form of music, jazz. Jazz developed in New Orleans in the late 1800s and early 1900s, before the Roaring Twenties. New Orleans was home to people from many different cultures. Black musicians played a central role in creating jazz, drawing from African American musical traditions such as blues and ragtime, along with brass-band and other musical traditions heard in the city. During the 1920s, jazz became increasingly popular across the United States. Recordings, live performances, and radio helped more people hear the new music.
Listen to this short recording of a song by Louis Armstrong, an early jazz trumpet player. The recording was made in 1923-24.
In a word or short phrase, describe the music that you just heard.
Jazz is important to this lesson because it reflects the cultural changes of the 1920s and the growing influence of Black American art and music on U.S. culture. Before students listen, remind them that jazz developed earlier in New Orleans but became much more widely popular during the Roaring Twenties. Encourage students to listen for features such as rhythm, instruments, energy, and mood. If students have prior knowledge of jazz, invite them to share what they know. After listening, use their words and phrases to briefly discuss what may have made jazz feel new or exciting to listeners at the time.
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