Students learn about the New Deal and how it attempted to solve the problems of the Great Depression. They also learn about the roles played by Texan politicians John Nance Garner and Sam Rayburn. Then they consider how the New Deal impacted Texas.
Students learn about the New Deal and how it attempted to solve the problems of the Great Depression. They also learn about the roles played by Texan politicians John Nance Garner and Sam Rayburn. Then they consider how the New Deal impacted Texas.
Students view an image of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, read an overview of the lesson, and consider questions about the government’s role in helping people during hard economic times. They then respond to a poll stating whether they think the government should or should not provide money or jobs for people during tough economic times.
Teacher MovesIntroduce the focus of the lesson and review the objectives. Facilitate a brief class discussion about students’ poll responses, prompting them to explain their reasoning and to consider differing viewpoints about government responsibility in times of economic crisis.
Students read background text explaining the Great Depression, the creation of the New Deal, and its three goals of relief, recovery, and reform. They complete a graphic organizer by defining each of the three Rs. Students then read about John Nance Garner and Sam Rayburn and how these Texas leaders supported New Deal programs such as the Rural Electrification Administration.
Teacher MovesClarify the historical context of the Great Depression and the purpose of the New Deal, emphasizing the three Rs. Support students as they complete the graphic organizer, checking for accurate definitions. Highlight the roles of Garner and Rayburn and ensure students understand how Texas leaders influenced national policy. Organize students into small groups for the upcoming jigsaw activities and confirm group structures before moving on.
Students examine a Works Progress Administration poster and read an explanation of how New Deal “alphabet agencies” addressed problems caused by the Great Depression. Using a jigsaw approach, each group member reads about one New Deal agency—the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), Work Projects Administration (WPA), Rural Electrification Administration (REA), or Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)—and then teaches the key points to their group. As a group, they complete a graphic organizer describing what each agency’s initials stand for, the problem it addressed, and how the program worked.
Teacher MovesReview expectations for the jigsaw activity and ensure each student selects a different agency within their group. Circulate to support reading and discussion, prompting students to identify each program’s purpose and impact. After groups complete the organizer, invite volunteers to summarize each agency for the class, reinforcing accurate understanding and correcting misconceptions.
Working in their small groups, students divide and read different sources about New Deal projects and the Great Depression in Texas, then summarize their findings for one another to understand how the New Deal affected the state. As a group, they choose one New Deal agency and post to a shared wall explaining the agency’s impact on Texas, including a photograph they locate online to illustrate their explanation.
Teacher MovesGuide students in dividing the listed sources among group members and monitor their summarizing and sharing. Prompt students to connect each agency’s work to specific impacts on Texas, using examples such as soil conservation and park development (CCC), community facilities and recreation programs (WPA), rural electrification (REA), and banking stability (FDIC). Support groups as they compose and post their explanations with images, and prepare students to transition to the individual evaluation.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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