Brother Can You Spare a Dime - The Great Depression - Nine Lessons, Thirteen Weeks Unit

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Logic

During the Great Depression, the phrase "Brother, can you spare a dime" came to represent unemployment, poverty, and the struggle to survive in the United States. Students trace the events that precipitated the Depression, from the 1929 stock market crash and the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act to mass unemployment and the Dust Bowl. The unit then examines Roosevelt’s New Deal initiatives, their long-term legacy, and how commissioned art and literature reflect the era’s mood.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Overview

Concepts

Content from Core Knowledge Sequence

Skills

Background Knowledge

Timeline of Major Events During the 1930s

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

March 12-14, 1998 "Brother, can you spare a dime?"The Great Depression, 1929-1941 Grade Level: Seventh and Eighth Grade Presented by: Carla Dobbs, John Johnson Elementary, Bainbridge, Georgia Length of Unit: Nine Lessons, Thirteen Weeks I. ABSTRACT During the Great Depression, the phrase "Brother, can you spare a dime," came to epitomize the indignity and hopelessness many Americans felt about unemployment and their inability to sustain themselves. Americans had suffered the stock market crash; the middle class had lost their jobs and homes; Farmers in Texas and Oklahoma had been forced to flee the Dust Bowl. And thousands of Americans were unemployed and homeless. But Americans did persevere. They did regain their dignity. And America did work its way out of the Depression. Students will investigate the events which precipitated the Great Depression. By researching the lives of individuals who experienced this, the students will gain an appreciation for the hardships endured by a majority of Americans. Students will examine the initiatives and programs which made up Roosevelt's New Deal and the lasting legacy of these programs. And the students will study the art and literature which were commissioned as a part of the New Deal to determine how they reflect the mood of the period. It is hoped that by the end of this unit the students will have gained an understanding of the root causes of the depression and an appreciation of the human spirit which can overcome even in the most trying of times. II. OVERVIEW A. Concepts: Changes in America during the 1930's resulting from severe economic hardship and widespread poverty. B. Content from Core Knowledge Sequence: Factors leading to the Great Depression: Stock market crash of 1929, Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, mass unemployment, and the Dust Bowl. Factors which lead us out of the depression: President Roosevelt and the New Deal programs. C. Skills: Students will acquire an understanding of the concepts listed above as well as an understanding of how Americans persevered and worked their way out of the greatest depression in the history of the United States. III. BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE A Burg, David F. The Great Depression An Eyewitness History. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 1996. ISBN 0-8160-3095-2. B. Sterling, Mary Ellen. Twentieth Century-The Thirties. Huntington Beach, Ca: Teacher Created Materials, Inc.,1996 . ISBN 1-55734-025-8. C. Meltzer, Melton. Brother Can You Spare a Dime. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 1991. ISBN 0-8160-2372-7. D. Internet Addresses-For Teacher Resources: 1. Social Studies Resources-[http://www.teleport.com/](http://www.teleport.com/)~vincer/social.html 1. History/Social Studies Web Site for K-12 Teachers[http://execpc.com/](http://execpc.com/)~dboals/boals.html E. Timeline of Major Events During The 1930s: 1930 The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act was passed. The first bank panic occurred which resulted in a wave of bankruptcies. Sinclair Lewis was the first American writer to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. The board game, Monopoly, was invented. The planet Pluto was discovered. 1931 A second bank panic occurred. "The Star Spangled Banner" was adopted as the national anthem. The George Washington Bridge was completed in New York City. The Empire State Building was completed. Jane Adams became the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Construction of the Hoover Dam began. 1932 This year and the following were the worst years of the depression. Over thirteen million Americans had lost their jobs since 1929. Congress created the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. Franklin Roosevelt defeated Herbert Hoover and the Democrats gained control of Congress. General Douglas MacArthur broke up the Bonus March in Washington D.C. Los Angeles was the site of the Olympic Games. Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. 193

FAQs

What does the phrase "Brother, can you spare a dime" represent in the unit?

It represents the indignity and hopelessness many Americans felt due to unemployment and inability to sustain themselves during the Great Depression.

Which events and factors led to the Great Depression according to the unit overview?

Students focus on the 1929 stock market crash, the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, mass unemployment, and the Dust Bowl.

How does the unit address how America worked its way out of the Depression?

It examines President Roosevelt’s New Deal programs and the initiatives that contributed to recovery, along with the lasting legacy of these programs.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Logic