Back in TimeBack in Time

An introduction to Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

IntroductionIntroduction Imagine that you are able to step back in time -

back to the decade of America’s Great Depression, 1930-1939.

What would life be like for someone living then? What kind of education would you have? Where would you shop? What would you wear? What would you do for entertainment: go to the movies, watch television, listen to the radio? Now, what if you could become someone other than yourself?

This is your chance to be someone else, someone different. You will assume the role of a person living in the 1930's. You may be anyone you want: a migrant worker, a dust bowl refugee, a city dweller, or a country farmer. If you wish, you may link your pretend person with someone else's and be brothers or sisters or mother and child. This your chance to assume a role!

TaskTask In order to assume your new role, you will

have to become an investigator. When your investigation is completed, you will

make an oral presentation to the class, in character, utilizing Microsoft’s PowerPoint presentation format.

You will be expected to know your background, education, occupation (student, farmer, secretary, etc.), geographical location and/or residence, family life, social/community life, entertainment, and any other  information about your life that you want to share. If you have met a famous person, or witnessed an exciting event of the 1930's, make sure you include it in your presentation.

ProcessProcess In order to be successful investigators, you will

need to research the decade. Web links have been set up for you in order to aid your investigation. However, before you can begin your investigation, you must make some decisions.

1) Decide on the role that you will assume. 2) If you are planning to link your person with someone else, now is the time to make that decision. Remember, each person will do their own investigation. 3) Once you have made these decisions, begin investigating the decade. 4) Everyone, regardless of role, must begin here with an overview of the 30’s Decade. 5) Record the URL's which you visit through your research. 6) Using the web tools, organize the information you have gathered.

Who am I? Who am I?

Some things you might Some things you might consider:consider:

  People    Events  Fads &

Fashion Art & Architecture

 Music  Radio & Film Government & Politics

 Prices: Then & Now

The 1930's Decade

The 1930's Decade

The Great DepressionThe Great Depression

The Migrant Experience

 Photo History: Arkansas, 1935:

The Dust Bowl  Photo History: Migrant Workers, 1937

 Photo History: Tenant Farmers, 1937

  Dust Bowl Memories

  The Great Depression: History Links

 1930's Timeline

 Surviving the Dust Bowl

 The Great Depression: Cause & Effect

Now that you are understanding the decade better, it is time for you to learn more about The Depression. Search through the web sites that follow to learn about The Great Depression, The Dust Bowl, and migrant workers. 

EvaluationEvaluationEach element of your webquest

will be evaluated. As you work, check the rubric often to make sure you are on target to get the best grade possible. You will be graded in the following areas: research, role playing, PowerPoint Presentation, and journal reflection paper. A total of 200 points can be earned through this project.

  Beginning 10 Developing 15 Accomplished 20

Exemplary 25 Score

Research=50

 Little or no historical research

Evidence of historical research which shows an emerging knowledge of 1930's decade.

Evidence of  historical research which demonstrates applicable knowledge of 1930's decade.

  Evidence of  historical research which demonstrates an understanding of 1930's decade. 

 

Role Playing=50

 

No evidence of role playing 

Displays an emerging  knowledge of characteristics of role; Demonstrates an attempt to recreate a person through appearance.

Displays an applicable knowledge of characteristics of role; Demonstrates application of role playing through appearance. 

Displays a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics of the role; Demonstrates the understanding through appearance and manner.

 

PowerPoint Presentation=75

Journal Reflection Paper=25 

Creates few slides with little content; Displays little mastery of PowerPoint

   Creates some slides which demonstrate research and an attempt at creative presentation.

Creates multiple slides which demonstrate complete research and a strong application of PowerPoint format.  

Creates dynamic slides which demonstrate complete research and mastery of all facets of PowerPoint format. 

 

Each element of your Webquest will be evaluated. As you work, check the rubric often to make sure you are on target to get the best grade possible. You will be graded in the following areas: research, role playing, and PowerPoint Presentation. A total of 75 points can be earned through this project.                       

ConclusionConclusion  Now that you have spent some time traveling back in time, what are your impressions of the 1930's? Was it an interesting time to be alive? Do you think life was easier, harder, simpler, or more complicated? What did you think of the price of items and the clothes people wore? Now take some time to write a journal paper reflecting on these questions. Include any other impressions about your work that you would like to share.  This will be turned in for a grade!