Grade 9 History Podcast – The Great Depression

Objective: the students will be creating a podcast showing that they understand some of the challenges faced by the average American family during The Great Depression. The podcast may take the form of either a drama, or newscast.

A+ B FKnowledge Students show an

excellent understanding of the challenges of the Great Depression

Students did not show enough understanding of Great Depression challenges/Errors in fact

There were many errors, and the students did not show a basic knowledge of the Great Depression

Technical Students created a podcast that was over 2 minutes long, and was successfully uploaded to the internet

Podcast is either not 2 minutes, or was not properly uploaded to the internet

Podcast is neither 2 minutes long, nor uploaded to the internet

Creativity Students created an enjoyable program to listen to, that displayed creativity

The program was lacking in creativity, or somewhat boring

The program was both boring and lacking in creativity

Name: _________________

Great Depression Podcast

Get ready to be depressed! You will be using the Apple program, Garageband, to make a Historical podcast that focuses on the time period of the Great Depression in America. You should focus on what life might have been like for Americans at this time, showing a knowledge of what was learned in class. For your podcast, please either make a newscast or a drama. You will then post it on Soundcloud!

How to use Garageband:(also see the screencast)

- In Garageband, choose ‘New Project’- Then select ‘Podcast’- Give your project a name- Record your project- Add any sound effects you would like!

Rubric:A+ B F

Knowledge Students show an excellent understanding of the challenges of the Great Depression

Students did not show enough understanding of Great Depression challenges/Errors in fact

There were many errors, and the students did not show a basic knowledge of the Great Depression

Technical Students created a podcast that was over 2 minutes long, and was successfully uploaded to the internet

Podcast is either not 2 minutes, or was not properly uploaded to the internet

Podcast is neither 2 minutes long, nor uploaded to the internet

Creativity Students created an enjoyable program to listen to, that displayed creativity

The program was lacking in creativity, or somewhat boring

The program was both boring and lacking in creativity

DialogueGood morning, it is October 30th, 1929, and a respectable 12 degrees outside here in New York City. I am your host, Jason Adams. Our top story today is a continuation of the bleak financial outlook that has been picking up steam over the last few days, leading many to speculate about whether financial ruin is indeed upon us. For more we go to our chief correspondent, Jennifer Lewison.

“Thanks, Jason. Instead of getting better, yesterday, Tuesday October 30th was even worse than the days that proceeded it, and some have even started calling it ‘Black Tuesday.’ Yesterday’s events culminated in what is believed to be a new record in number of shares traded, estimated to be around 16 million. The Dow lost a whopping 30 points, on rumors that President Hoover would not be vetoing the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act. The act, if you remember proposes to protect the American economy by raising tariffs on over 20,00 imported goods to the United States. This measure has been criticized by some as potentially leading to a trading war with other countries, who may respond in kind, therefore lower American exports. Traders have obviously been among the critics, as they have been spooked enough to start dumping stocks. Back to you, Jason.”

Thank you, Jennifer. In other news, there have been reports of people throwing themselves out of buildings around the New York area today. For more on that, we go to chief social correspondant, Jake Edwards. Jake…

“Thanks, Jason. There have indeed been reports of people throwing themselves out of the windows of buildings around the city, distraught at market losses over the past few days. Unfortunately I have not been able to discover any hard facts to substantiate the rumors. I did however get an interview with Sir Winston Churchill, who is in town at the moment. He tells me that this very morning he was awoken by a crowd outside of the Savoy-Plaza Hotel, where he is staying. In his words: “under my very window a gentleman cast himself down fifteen stories and was dashed to pieces, causing a wild commotion and the arrival of the fire brigade.” I will keep investigating these reports of suicide. Back to you, Jason.

Thanks, Jake. Now it’s time for a commercial break. Stay tuned.