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Pages from the Past Curriculum Materials -
"Depression-Era Bloomington Mayor Besieged by Jobseekers"
By Anita Ross and Megan VanGorder, Olympia Middle School
Materials
Glossary
scrip - A term for any substitutes for legal tender and is often a form of credit lieu - instead incumbent - (of an official or regime) currently holding office deluged - an overwhelming amount or number maelstrom - a restless, disordered, or tumultuous state of affairs Additional Materials
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Procedure
(1-2 class periods) Students should read the article “Depression-Era Bloomington Mayor Besieged by Jobseekers” in preparation for the class. Discussion question: How did the Great Depression locally affect McLean County? Differentiate the letters for students according to reading levels. The letters are categorized in number order, 1 being the most difficult and 17 being the least difficult. (Teacher tip: You may choose to use testing data to adequately assign the letters.) Allow for students to read, transcribe and analyze their letters using the guided questions. With 16 letters, the teacher might consider letting students work in partner groups. After students read their letters, put students into groups of 4, making sure that each student in the group has a different letter (Jigsaw Method) Have students answer the following: What job is being solicited, and why is this citizen in need of a job? Cite evidence from each letter. What are some of the personal hardships faced by local residents? If you were Mayor Wellmerling, to which of the four letters would you choose to respond? Rank them in order of need. As a group, discuss how citizens in 1933 voiced their employment needs. How do citizens today find employment in strained economic environments? How has the process changed over time? |
Materials
Students should read the article “Depression-Era Bloomington Mayor Besieged by Jobseekers” in preparation for the class.
Discussion question: How did the Great Depression locally affect McLean County? |
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Letters to Mayor Wellmerling
These letters are in order from most difficult to least difficult
Click here to download the order of the letters in the document |
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Standards:
Illinois State Standards
14.C.4 Describe the meaning of participatory citizenship (e.g., volunteerism, voting) at all levels of government and society in the United States.
16.A.3b Make inferences about historical events and eras using historical maps and other historical sources.
NCSS (National Council for Social Studies)
Individuals, Groups, and Institutions (Thematic Standard)
Help learners analyze groups and evaluate the influences of institutions, people, events, and cultures in both historical and contemporary settings
Common Core Standards
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.1 – Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.8.3 – Analyze how a text makes connections among and distinctions between individuals, ideas, or events (e.g., through comparisons, analogies, or categories).
NCHE Vital Themes & Narratives
Values, beliefs, political ideas, and institutions
Patterns of social and political interaction
14.C.4 Describe the meaning of participatory citizenship (e.g., volunteerism, voting) at all levels of government and society in the United States.
16.A.3b Make inferences about historical events and eras using historical maps and other historical sources.
NCSS (National Council for Social Studies)
Individuals, Groups, and Institutions (Thematic Standard)
Help learners analyze groups and evaluate the influences of institutions, people, events, and cultures in both historical and contemporary settings
Common Core Standards
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.1 – Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.8.3 – Analyze how a text makes connections among and distinctions between individuals, ideas, or events (e.g., through comparisons, analogies, or categories).
NCHE Vital Themes & Narratives
Values, beliefs, political ideas, and institutions
Patterns of social and political interaction