Process

Life in America in 1930's

You and your teammates will first learn more about what life might have been like for you had you lived during that time period.

First review these websites and consider different aspects of life during the 1930s.

The Great Depression. This site describes the impact of the Great Depression on many Americans. Every aspect of life was affected when the economy of the United States came crashing down in late 1929. Did you notice the paragraph about how teenagers helped their families? How might the information you've learned here relate to the novel?

Life in the Great Depression. This site gives a more general overview of life during the Great Depression. Take note of the things people did for fun and the facts mentioned in the box.

Next, open a new file and type answers to the following numbered questions utilizing complete sentences. Your team will submit one group answer sheet for grading, however, you will need to keep a copy of your answers for yourself. (Please label each question group--ie. Life in the 1930's--1-7, Growing up in the Great Depression--1-4, Photograph of a School During the Great Depression--1-3, Race During the Great Depression--1-4, Minorities in the Great Depression--1-4). You may want to click on Evaluation on the sidebar under TKAM Webquest to see how I will grade your answers.

Life in the 1930's

What events led up to the Great Depression?
What things were scarce during the Great Depression?
How did some teenagers help their parents?
What was a "Hooverville," and how did it get its name? (There is a picture of one to the right!)
What was the purpose of FDR’s New Deal?
What types of hardships did children face during the Great Depression?
How did cities and rural areas differ in their hardships?

Growing up in the Great Depression. This site gives information about what it was like for children living during the Great Depression.

1. Where did many impoverished parents send their children?

2. Where did many orphans end up?

3. What two laws regarding children were not present during the Great Depression that are present today?

4. What lasting effects did the Great Depression have on people who lived through it?

Photograph of a School During the Great Depression

This photograph is a school in Alabama during the Great Depression. Take note of what you see and what you do not see.

Why do you think there is a barrel in the middle of the students?
What story do you see depicted on the bulletin board?
What school supplies do you see and do you notice any school supplies that seem to be missing?

The final issue that you will explore as part of this webquest is racism. Racism is a central them in To Kill a Mockingbird. Review these websites and record your answers.

Race During the Great Depression. This site is a good overview of how the Great Depression impacted African Americans. Review this website and answer the questions below.

1. Approximately how many African Americans were out of work during the Great Depression?

2. What did white people want done with blacks who were employed during the Great Depression?

3. How did President Roosevelt change the voting patterns of African Americans?

4. What racism did African Americans face despite President Roosevelt’s actions?

Minorities in the Great Depression. This website gives a few specific impacts of the Great Depression on minorities.

How did many black women find employment during the Great Depression?
How was the employment of minorities prioritized prior to and during the Great Depression?
How was the employment of black men impacted by the New Deal legislation?
What happened to approximately 400,000 Mexican-Americans in the Southwest?

Next, click on Conclusion on the sidebar under TKAM Webquest.

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