What a topic to teach the kids. We tried to look at it more from a child's perspective because it would be easier for them to relate.
DISCOVERY: newspapers - they used newspapers to create something fun.
Here are some of the things they came up with:
Rocket, Paper dolls, puzzles, bookmarks, crosses, snowflakes, boats, diamonds, paper airplanes, and scenes- 3 crosses on top of Mt. Calvary
They also learned to darn wool socks that had holes in them - since nothing would've been thrown away during this time.
LITERATURE: "Growing Up in the Great Depression" by Amy Ruth and excerpts from Cobblestone Magazine "Tough Times - Surviving the Great Depression". We talked about different things they would've eaten for dinner such as dandelion greens and clay for minerals. We talked about (and tasted) inventions that were made of food that would last without being refrigerated: Ritz Crackers and chocolate chips. We also discussed that a large percentage of Americans lost everything they had and were homeless.
MUSIC: practiced song for next week's presentation
PROJECT: made a couple of toys from household items that kid's would have played with - Spool racers and clothes pin wrestlers
Questions: Why did they sew holey socks? What was that called?
Ask them to show you and explain the toys they made and brought home.
