Classroom Resource

Lesson 1: Out of the Darkness - TVA & The Great Depression

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

6, 11

Overview

This free, interactive website helps middle and high school-aged students explore the effects of the Tennessee Valley Authority during the Great Depression and New Deal Era. The website includes videos, photographs, handouts, primary resources, and more. 

This lesson provides information on the impact that the Tennessee Valley Authority had on the Tennessee Valley region during the Great Depression. Lesson plans are provided on the website including introductory activities and extension activities. Lesson plan powerpoints are also available. Full-length videos are provided on the website with video response questions as well as interactive graphics for student use. 

Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 6

SS10.6.5

Explain causes and effects of the Great Depression on the people of the United States.

Unpacked Content

UP:SS10.6.5

Vocabulary

  • depression
  • economic failure
  • Hoovervilles
  • migration
  • Dust Bowl
  • New Deal
  • Tennessee Valley Authority
  • river systems

Knowledge

Students know:
  • What caused the Great Depression and the effect it had on the people of the United States.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Examine cause and effect to see relationships between people, places, ideas, and events.
  • Use map skills to locate places of historical significance.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There were many causes and effects of the Great Depression on the people of the U.S.
Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 11 - United States History II

SS10.US2.7

Explain strengths and weaknesses of the New Deal in managing problems of the Great Depression through relief, recovery, and reform programs, including the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the Works Progress Administration (WPA), the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and the Social Security Act. [A.1.a., A.1.b., A.1.d., A.1.f., A.1.i., A.1.j., A.1.k.]

Unpacked Content

UP:SS10.US2.7

Vocabulary

  • relief
  • recovery
  • reform
  • Tennessee Valley Authority
  • Works Progress Administration
  • Civilian Conservation Corps
  • Social Security Act
  • Dust Bowl
  • Great Depression

Knowledge

Students know:
  • The strengths and weaknesses of the New Deal in managing the problems of the Great Depression.
  • Purpose and impact of relief, recovery, and reform programs of the New Deal, including the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the Works Progress Administration (WPA), the Civilian *Conservation Corps (CCC), and the Social Security Act.
  • The impact of geographic, social, political, and economic conditions during the Great Depression, such as the conditions created by the Dust Bowl and its impact on migration patterns.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Analyze the strengths, weaknesses, and impacts of political and social programs during specific historical events.
  • Describe the purpose and effectiveness of specific programs and agencies.
  • Evaluate the impact of specific geographic, social, political, and economic conditions on life in the United States.
  • Trace and analyze migration patterns in the United States.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There were many strengths and weaknesses of the New Deal in managing problems of the Great Depression through relief, recovery, and reform programs.
Link to Resource
https://www.currentsofchange.net/lesson-1/

CR Resource Type

Lesson/Unit Plan

Resource Provider

Currents of Change
Accessibility

Accessibility

Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles
License

License Type

Public Domain

Approved Date

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