Hard Times: The Economy
Download this lesson plan as a Word document
This lesson is envisioned as a two-day undertaking, with the HNN backgrounder and links assigned as homework for the second day.
The lesson is consistent with Common Core Reading Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies 6-12, numbers 1 & 2 for 6-10, 2 for 11-12; number 4 for 6-12; 7 & 8 for 6-8 and number 7 for 9-12.
Readings/resources
HNN backgrounder (assigned for first day), terms sheet, links, note-taking guide
Objectives
Knowledge of basic concepts related to the recession
Understanding of explanations for the causes of the recession
Ability to debate the relative merits of solutions
First Day
1. Introductory questions (bell ringer) Do you know anyone affected by the poor economy? How? What are the different problems, both material and emotional, people are confronting? How do the problems vary according to class, race, age group, gender, etc.? Who or what is responsible for their difficulties?
Check for existing knowledge regarding terms: recession, depression, deficit, national debt, right vs. left (www.politicalcompass.org is useful). Clarify misconceptions. Students can take the Political Compass test, to locate them politically, for homework. Students should take the terms sheet and complete it for homework.
2. Class reads short news article on the recession: "Outside Cleveland, Snapshots of Poverty’s Surge in the Suburbs" (New York Times).
3. Discussion followed by essential questions:
Your questions: