Great
Depression Simulations
By Collette
One of the projects I did every year
when my classes were studying the Great Depression was to put together a
simulation for students to experience what life was like during that time. I
had copies of the Topeka Capitol
showing their grocery ads from 1932. The scenario they worked with said they
were a family of four, and they had received $2.50 in assistance to spend on
food and any items of their choice for one week. They were to develop menus,
and then put together a grocery list for the week. They could use any
information they had learned about the Depression.
Some students immediately changed their
situation by claiming they had planted a garden, had fruit trees and chickens
while others struggled with only the money to survive. My explanations involved
defining some of the food. Consistently, classes did not know what lard was.
With no refrigeration some worried about food spoiling. Most had eaten ham and
beans, and that appeared on most menus. On the last day I gave them additional
problems like the baby got sick and all of their money was gone. That added
frustration made the simulation real for most of them.
My most elaborate simulation was with an
8th grade class when I taught at the middle school. My students
gathered cardboard boxes and scrap lumber from the woodworking class and built
a shanty town in our classroom for open house. Some members of the class sold
apples, pencils or coffee. Others ladled out homemade soup and hobo stew. It
was a tremendous success, and the kids had a great time participating. I must
add that my principal got very upset with me, however. I forgot to mention the
middle school building was erected in the 1920’s, and with a coffee pot and two
crock pots plugged into the electrical system, I blew fuses all evening.
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