Description

Great Depression Simulation

Great Depression Simulation is a fun dice game that can be used to teach students about the difficulties Americans faced during the Great Depression.

To take a closer look at the activity, see the video preview below!

How Does the Simulation Activity Work?

During this Great Depression Simulation activity, students will live through seven months of the Great Depression. They will roll a die to determine their monthly earnings, pay expenses, and draw cards with scenarios that may require them to pay more or earn extra money each month. The scenarios on each card describe situations families would have experienced during the Great Depression.

The amounts of money used throughout the simulation are comparable to the costs of goods and average incomes during the time period.

Throughout the experience, students must earn enough money to keep their family from becoming homeless!

When students are finished, they will complete a reflection worksheet to summarize their experience and compare it to the challenges Americans experienced during the Great Depression.

What Materials Are Included With This Simulation Activity?

• Teacher Instructions
• Student Instructions
• Chart to record monthly profits and losses
• Scenario cards
• Reflection worksheet

What Are Other Teachers Saying?

• “The students were so engaged with this resource! It really brought the stark realities of the Great Depression to life for my kids. They thoroughly enjoyed and had their eyes opened to this terrible time in history. I would definitely recommend this!” (Sara R.)
• “Kids loved it! Helped to build empathy for the real people who lived during the Great Depression.” (Haley G.)
• “My students and I loved this activity! It’s such a great way to help them gain an understanding of the Great Depression in a hands-on way. Thank you!” (Roxie E.)
• “The activity creatively integrates math ideas with the social studies Great Depression unit.” (Kerri B.)
• “Really fun and engaging activity!  My students really enjoyed this and learned a lot about what it was like to live in the Great Depression” (Cheryl M.)

Don’t Miss Out!

This Great Depression Simulation combines history and math skills! Students will add and subtract with decimals and whole numbers to complete the activity. This simulation activity is not only fun, but is a great way to help students gain a better understanding of America during the Great Depression!

 

More social studies resources:

• U.S. History Escape Rooms
• U.S. History Task Cards
• Oregon Trail Board Game
• Boston Massacre Hands-On Investigation

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Other Information:

©Meghan Vestal, Vestal’s 21st Century Classroom LLC. All rights reserved. This product is to be used by the original downloader only. Copying for teachers, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited. This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view. Teachers may NOT upload the product to school/district servers, or to any website, or share digital or print copies. Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All sales are final.