Ninth grade students are now learning about the Great Depression....and we are making a lot of links to today. Many of our students are living in families with financial distress...and they are not alone! We are making many links to
"buying on margin" and
"predatory lenders." They know that the great installment buying scheme of the 1920's was similar to today's credit card debt.
In the 1930's money was scarce. Everyone was encouraged to make due and mend. Even special pot menders were created to mend the holes in pots. I have a collection of pot menders (exactly pictured below) that students will hold in their hands. There was a small slice of cork attached to the metal potmender. It formed a "suction" that sealed the pot.
Pot menders are one of the collectables of the great depression. They encouraged
thrift and
"make do." During this unit, students will also examine a quilt from the Great Depression.
