Welcome+to+Kit's+World,+1934+Reinforcing+Activity

After reading the book with the students, we will discuss topics such as the difficulties and struggles that many Americans faced during the Great Depression, what caused it to begin, and how Americans eventually recovered from the depression. The purpose of this activity is to have students relate events to a particular area of the United States and to show how one event triggered another.


 * 1) What actions did Americans take during the roaring twenties that caused the stock market to crash and trigger the Great Depression?
 * 2) What were some hardships the general American population faced during the 1930’s in areas of the Midwest, particularly Ohio? What were some events that occurred that helped some Americans survive the depression?

After contemplating these questions, students should be more aware of the events and the impact that the Great Depression had on Americans in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Students will then create a timeline signifying how important events impacted the 1930’s and what Americans did in order to survive the Great Depression. Students should begin with the 1920's after the first World War. From the 1920's, students should include items on their timeline that include business booms and eventually lead to the stock market crash. Next, students should identify the hardships during the 1930's that families struggled with along with some offers of hope (Hollywood and Route 66) within the United States as a whole. Finally, students should add events within their timeline that relate to an area in the Midwest. Many events occurred near or in Cincinnati such as the flood of 1937. Students should also add encouragement of the 1930's, for example, the creation of the terminal and first professional baseball game. Icons and their importance should also be added as years of influence on their timeline.

Further Discussion beyond the book: How do you think Americans eventually come out of the Great Depression?