Introduction

Welcome! We will be time travelers to the 1930's. What was it like to live in America? Would you have wanted to be a teenager then? Let's get into this machine and view daily life.

The Quest

1930's America - Would you have liked to have lived then? Let's find out what life was like.

The Process and Resources

In this WebQuest you will be exploring Webpages about 1930's America.

You will need to visit these Webpages, look at the information provided and then answer the questions.

Phase 1 - Background: Something for Everyone

Use the Internet information linked below to answer the basic questions of who? what? where? when? why? and how? Be creative in exploring the information so that you answer these questions as fully and insightfully as you can.

Phase 2 - Looking Deeper from Different Perspectives

INSTRUCTIONS:

Read each question. Go to the web address listed and answer your question on a separate piece of paper.

Part One

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions. At this link, go to 'Click here for more information on the Great Depression.' Read the first 3 paragraphs.

1. When did the 'Great Depression' begin?

2. How many people were unemployed?

3. What happened to many farmers?

4. Because of this disaster, what happened to families? Give 4 details.

• Depression Introduction

Part Two

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to :

'The Depression News'

5. Look at 'The Depression News'. What were some of the hot topics in the 1930's? List 3 events or topics and tell something about them.

'Then & Now Prices'

6. On the chart are listed some prices from 1932 and some salaries. Think about what these items would cost today. Would it be easier to buy them in 1932 or today? Explain using details from the chart about prices and salaries.

• The Depression News
• Then & Now Prices

Part Three

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to :

'I Remember...'
7. Four different people remember what life was like for them during the Depression. Pick one rememberence to read. Tell how that person was able to surive during this time.

8. If you were in their place, would you have done the same? Explain using details from the piece.

'Tales from the Rails'
9. Here is another story of life during the Depression, This is the story of a 16 year old who rode the rails. Why did he travel the rails?

10. Where was he trying to go? Why there?

11. What happened to him?

• I Remember
• Tales from the Rails

Part Four

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to :

'American Exodus'

12. Look at the photos in this web site. What happened to the crops in the midwest that caused people to move west?

13. Many people became migrants(moved around for work). How did these people travel?

14. Where did they live?

15. When they found work was it easy or hard? Explain.

'Migrant Family'

16. This photo shows a migrant family. What do you see? Share 3 bits of information about this family? Do they look happy? Explain.

• American Exodus
• Migrant Family

Phase 3 - Debating, Discussing, and Reaching Consensus

You have all learned about life in the 1930's.

17. What do you now know about life in the 1930's?

Phase 4 - Real World Feedback

For extra credit: Interview a person who has memories of the 1930's. What was their life like?

Your Contact is: Mrs. Gilmore

Conclusion

18. Would you have wanted to live then? Explain.