Introduction

    Try to imagine tomorrow, waking up to a national crisis that immediately effects millions of peoples lives. This crisis alone was successful in turning a once boombing economy into a devastation practically over night. Countless American men , women, and children who were forced to experience a period when poverty was prevalent and overwhelming to the magnitude of forever being documented as the longest and most damaging period of all time for the United States.  This era is accurately labeled and described as The Great Depression.  On October 29, 1929, a day remembered by many as "Black Thursday,"  an otherwise very productive stockmarket, crashed instantly, devastating an economy that ultimately left deep and long lasting scars to those who suffered through it.
    To make things interesting, this exercise asks you the student, to try to place yourself in a similar experience as those in 1929.  How do you think that such a crisis now in 1999 would effect your life?  To get a better color to the picture you can perhaps ask either of your grandparents or perhaps another close someone who wouldn't mind sharing their experiences with you.

    After exploring the available links describing key sectors of the Great Depression, a descriptive summary is to be created.  Then, a separate attachment constructed by each individual group member describing how you can imagine yourself living in identical conditions as those who experienced the 1929 crash.  A few subtopics that are of particular interest to the dynamics of this imaginative exercise are:  economics, responsibilities, relationships(family/friends), goals, and future plans...do you believe you would have had the same options to further your education as you do today?  Feel free to explore other resource tools, the more the better.  Lastly, be creative, resourceful and imaginative.

A brief SUMMARY of the Great Depression.
 

Many colorful, black and white PHOTOGRAPHS of events that took place throughout the Great Depression.
 

The causes leading up to the great depression could never be thought as insignificant.  But the effects of the depression left much deeper and longer lasting scars to those who lived through these years.
 

BLACK THURSDAY:  the 1929 stockmarket crash devastated an economy that was otherwise very productive for many americans.
 
 
 
 
 

Use this space to point out places on the internet (or physical resources in the classroom) that will be available for the learners to use to accomplish the task. Embed the link within a description of each resource so that your learners know in advance what they're clicking on.

The Constructivist Project Design Guide maintained by Columbia University's Institute for Learning Technologies is a treasure trove of ideas for teachers. (This is just an example sentence with an link embedded within it.)

    1.  First, 6 groups will be assigned.  Remembering that group dynamics are essential, the more openly flowing conversation regarding the topic at hand the better.

    2.  Second, working roles and responsibilities are designated within the group(ex):  Researchers, Analyzers, and Recorders.
 
    3.  Third, after all the data is reviewed and selected, then, the information is formulated into subtopics that depict the conditions experienced during The Depression.

    4.  A 10-15 minute open-ended group discussion is useful in understanding, organizing your ideas.  For example, elaboration regarding what factors influenced the occurrence of the Depression, how it affected the people, and it's effects on the economy should be included in your summary.

    5.  One group paper is to be handed in with all group members' names, thoughts, ideas, and conclusions drawn into one creation.

    6.  Also, attached to each group's summary should be each individual's imaginative analysis, creative lifestyle comparisons.

    7.  The following guideline question should be illustrated and explained in the group summary:
        *  What are the causes and effects of changes in business cycles?
        *  What were the weaknesses in key sectors of the economy in the late 1920's?
        *  What are the causes and effects of the 1929 stockmarket crash?
        *  What impact did the Great Depression have on the people involved? 

The following criteria will be used to evaluate your performance:
 

            Group Summary   (1.5 pages)       =    35 possible pts.
            Individual Analysis (1/2 page)       =    20 possible pts.
            Organization                                =    15 possible pts.
            Presentability (typed)                    =    10 possible pts.
            Group Dynamics                          =    20 possible pts.
            Time (2 class periods)                   =    5  possible pts.
            Extra credit                                  =    5  possible pts.

There are 110 possible points that are offered for this assignment.  (5)  Extra credit points will be awarded to all groups who can follow all directions correctly and maintain a diligent, productive, and respectful relationship throughout the exercise.

Remember:  Papers with Double spaced type, normal font, and 1'' margins are all that will be accepted.
 
Note:  The individual analysis' must be at least 1/2 pages, but due to time restraints, this portion  of the exercise will be accepted in a legible, handwritten form.  Ink only, please.
*  I further suggest that this portion be taken home so that different perspectives can be explored to help ensure creativity and excellence in your performances.
 

    By researching, analyzing, and documenting such an important period in our countries history you will be enriching your knowledge, understanding of what great hardships others have been forced to endure so that you may enjoy your individual freedom, your individual rights, and your individual luxuries.
    This exercise will also help you to recognize and familiarize the benefits of understanding modern technology  as a productive, resourceful tool.  The students who remain open-minded in terms of technological advances, will be the ones who's performances will continue to excell.  For those of you who are still reluctant, no need to worry.  Don't worry; nobody knows everything and everybody can learn something from somebody else.  Which brings us to a very intrical part of the exercise.
    Group dynamics.  I can't say enough about the importance of learning how to work with others.  Even though many of us would rather avoid all conflict and confusion, this exercise will allow you the opportunity to be an equal working counterpart.  For those of you who are not quite as comfortable with technology as you'd like, you can use good group dynamics to communicate your ideas.  The last time I checked, job interviews are still done in person, not on the computer.  So, when given an opportunity to sharpen your communication/people skills, I would suggest taking advantage.  Comforting words that my father used to relay, "Happiness is defined through yourself and through your personal relationships with other people."
    This assignment is constructed to provide you with an opportunity to better yourself as a student, and as a person.  With that, if you wish to continue your research, here are a few additional topics of interest:

1.  What role did the U.S. Government play in restoring the economy during the Great Depression?
2.  What impact has the extended role of the government since 1930 had on the economy?
3.  The U.S. Government Economic Policies during the great depression consisted of several "New Deal" measures.  Here listed are a few:
                                                            (WPA)  Works Progress Administration
                                                            (CCC)  Civilian Conservation Corp.
                                                            (AAA)  Agricultural Adjustment Act
                                                            (NRC)  National Recovery administration
                                                            (SSBR) Social Security, Bank Recovery
                                                            (FDIC) Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation