Understanding the background of the New Deal and the issues it aimed to solve will help students understand how and why the programs were implemented and how it helped the American economy recover. Using a spider map, students will analyze and define the 5 Ws for the New Deal. This activity can serve as both an activity to introduce students to the New Deal and it's programs as well as a summative assessment at the end of the unit.
Students will ask the following questions:
Extended Activity
For this extended activity, students should create a spider map that details and represents the 5Ws of the Great Depression. As the Great Depression is seen as the impetus for the New Deal, having students begin with the Great Depression may be a very useful classroom strategy to provide them with a more comprehensive background.
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Student Instructions
Create a 5W analysis of the New Deal programs: Who, What, When, Where, and Why.
Engage students in a debate to deepen their understanding of the New Deal's impact. Encouraging discussion helps students think critically and practice respectful argumentation.
Choose clear, relevant questions such as "Did the New Deal solve the problems of the Great Depression?" or "Was the New Deal fair to all Americans?" Focusing the debate helps students prepare and stay on topic.
Divide the class into teams or pairs, assigning each side of the argument. Designating roles ensures balanced participation and allows students to research different perspectives.
Allow students to gather evidence from primary and secondary sources about the New Deal. Supporting claims with facts builds research skills and strengthens arguments.
Guide the debate by setting ground rules for respectful listening and speaking. Encouraging civil discourse creates a safe environment for sharing ideas and opinions.
Conclude by summarizing main arguments and inviting students to share what they learned. Reflection reinforces critical thinking and helps students connect the debate to the broader topic of the New Deal.
The 5 Ws of the New Deal refer to Who created it, What it was, When it happened, Where it took place, and Why it was introduced. This framework helps students analyze the New Deal's origins, purpose, and impact during the Great Depression.
To teach the New Deal with a 5 Ws spider map, have students create a diagram answering Who, What, When, Where, and Why about the New Deal. Encourage them to use images and brief descriptions for each W to visualize important details and synthesize information.
The New Deal was created to address the economic crisis of the Great Depression. It aimed to provide relief for the unemployed, recovery for the economy, and reforms to prevent future depressions in the United States.
Simple lesson ideas include a 5 Ws analysis, creating a spider map, group research projects, and summarizing key New Deal programs. These activities help students build foundational understanding and engage with the topic visually and collaboratively.
Understanding the Great Depression provides important context for the New Deal. It helps students see why the New Deal was necessary and how its programs were designed to solve the severe economic and social problems of the era.