Students: For this station, you will get to see how it was like to be a child during the Great Depression. You will randomly be assigned a number. Find the link that corresponds with the number you were assigned and read this child's letter to Mrs. Roosevelt (the President's wife). You will learn a little bit about how life was difficult for this child. After you finish reading, you will share with your group briefly about what you read. You will then have a group discussion following the questions listed below.
Eleanor Roosevelt had spoken often of her concern for the country's children.
"I have moments of real terror when I think we might be losing this generation. We have got to bring these young people into the active life of the community and make them feel that they are necessary."
--New York Times, 5/34
Thousands of children and young adults wrote letters to her, asking for help. They talked to her as a confidant with whom they could share the details of their lives, no matter how painful or even embarrassing to them. In their letters, they seem certain that the First Lady will come to their aid.
Number 1Number 2
Number 3
Number 4
Number 5
Number 6
If you have finished reading, begin to fill out the section about life during the Great Depression on your graphic organizer. Wait quietly for your group members to finish reading. Once everyone is done reading, share with your group about what you read.
Once everyone has finished sharing about their letters, discuss these questions as a group.
- From what you have read, how difficult was life for children during the Great Depression?
- What are some differences between these children's lives and your lives?
- How do you think that Mrs. Roosevelt felt after receiving all of these letters and thousands more?
- What would you have done if you were in a situation like these children?
Read more on the The New Deal Network (http://newdeal.feri.org/index.htm).
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