We the People: The Great Depression
Michael Burgan
Subject: Reading/Social Studies
Grade Level: Sixth
Virginia Standards of Learning:
Language Arts 6.4—The student will read a variety of fiction (realistic, fantasy,
historical, and biographical) and nonfictions (expository and argumentative).
 Describe how the author’s style elicits emotional response from the
reader.
Language Arts 6.5—The student will demonstrate comprehension of a variety of
selections.
 Make, confirm, or revise predictions as needed.
 Use context clues to read unfamiliar words.
 Draw conclusions and make inferences based upon explicit and
implied information.
 Organize information for use in written and oral presentations.
Social Studies USII.6—The student will demonstrate knowledge of the social,
economic, and technological changes of the early twentieth century by:
 Identifying the causes of The Great Depression, its impact on
Americans, and the major features of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New
Deal.
Techniques:
Directed Reading Activity (DRA)
Grand Conversation
Save the Last Word for the Artist
Strategies:
Activate prior knowledge
Predicting
Confirming
Making connections
Drawing inferences
Thinking critically
Gaining important facts
Skills:
Summarize
Note details
Identify cause and effect
Use of context clues
Recognize literary genres
Increase vocabulary
Use of a dictionary or glossary
General Objectives: The student will…
1. Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of the events of the Great
Depression and their effects on the citizens of the United States.
Specific Objectives: The student will…
1. Gain a deeper understanding of the problems that American citizens
faced during the years of The Great Depression by reading We the
People: The Great Depression by Michael Burgan.
2. Identify key vocabulary pertaining to The Great Depression.
3. Gain an understanding of the influence of Calvin Coolidge, Herbert
Hoover, and Franklin D. Roosevelt’s contributions on society during
1929 through 1941.
4. Make connections between the past and the present, as to analyze the
financial situation of the United States in 1929 and the present.
**This book deals with the Great Depression, but this lesson is an example
of only one lesson that could be used with this text.**
Instructional Procedures: The teacher will…
Before Reading:
1. Discuss the meaning of “cause” and “effect” with the students, while
linking it to what they already know. (Example: Cause—not paying
attention in math class; Effect—receiving a D on your report card for
math.)
2. Link the concept of The Great Depression to the students’ already existing
schema by asking questions to the students about what they already know
about The Great Depression during the years 1929 to 1941; specifically
the causes. (Example: “Before we start reading this book, does anyone
already know anything about what caused The Great Depression?”)
3. If there seems to be no prior knowledge of The Great Depression, then
give the students a basic introduction to the topic.
During Reading:
1. Have the students silently read We the People: The Great
Depression until page 24. Have the students stop there in order
to begin discussion.
2. While reading, students will write down several notes in a web
graphic organizer, about the causes of The Great Depression.
After Reading:
1. Engage the students in a Grand Conversation in which they
discuss the causes and effects The Great Depression had on
the United States, and predict how they think that the United
States pulled itself out of that depression.
Responding to the Text—
1. Have the students write a short journal entry about what
they would do, or how they would feel if they were adults
living through the times of The Great Depression.
Exploring the Text—
2. Discuss the new vocabulary present in this book:
alleviate, coalition, dictator, tariff.
3. Have the students tell what they think the meanings of
these new words are.
4. After discussing the vocabulary, write them on index
cards and place them on the Word Wall for future
reference and usage.
5. Finally, have the students write meaningful sentences
using the new vocabulary words, in order to develop their
vocabularies and ensure possible future usage.
Applying the Text—
6. Engage the students in the Save the Last Word for the
Artist Activity.
 Save the Last Word for the Artist Steps:
Developed by Harste, Short, and Burke, this activity
encourages students to use art to interpret the text, reflect
on the meaning and delve deeper and more complex into the
comprehension of the text.
1. Each group works together to create an artistic
representation that symbolizes the group’s meaning of
the text.
2. Groups display their art piece for the rest of the class
without discussing their interpretations.
3. In large group engagement process, students discuss
what they think the other groups were trying to express in
their art piece. After everyone has interpreted the art
verbally, the creators can then talk about their creation
and how it symbolizes the text.
Closing: The lesson will end by the teacher having the students come together
and seeing if there are any questions about The Great Depression. If there are
any, the teacher will go over any area that needs to be reviewed.
Evaluation: The teacher will read the students’ journal entries and check for
reflection and creative thinking to evaluate the students. Also, the teacher will
assess the students based upon their Grand Conversations as to see if the
students were able to comprehend the text. Finally, the teacher will gauge the
students’ comprehension of the causes of The Great Depression by having the
students share their artwork and give explanations of their interpretations.
Materials:
 We the People: The Great Depression by Michael Burgan
 Students’ literature journals
 Word wall cards


Art paper
Markers or crayons
Extension: If time allows the students could reflect on the Save the Last Word
for the Artist experience in terms of being a reader and bringing their
interpretations to the comprehension of the text. This can be done in a written
format.
Lesson plan written by:
Susan R. Bray
Longwood College
Graphic Organizer:
Causes of The
Great Depression
1929-1941