📖

FDR and the New Deal

The Great Depression

Day 94of 180
Week 19of 36
30Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand the major programs of the New Deal

2

Recognize how government can respond to economic crisis

3

Explore God's provision during difficult times

📖 Scripture Connection

Psalm 46:1

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

— Psalm 46:1 (WEB)

God provides hope and help during challenging times, just as the New Deal provided support during the Great Depression

📦 Materials Needed

  • Poster board
  • Colored markers
  • Construction paper
  • Scissors
  • Glue sticks
  • Printed images of New Deal programs
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Introduce the concept of the New Deal using a brief storytelling approach about President Franklin D. Roosevelt's response to the Great Depression

💭 Review Question: What do you think it means to help people during a difficult time?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explain the major New Deal programs: Social Security, job creation through public works, banking reforms, and agricultural support

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • FDR created programs to help unemployed Americans
  • Government worked to provide hope and practical support
  • Many programs focused on giving people dignity and work
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How might losing a job affect a family?
  • Why is it important to help people during hard times?
  • How can we show God's love during difficult circumstances?
3Activity: New Deal Hope Poster (10 min)
hands-on

Students create a poster showing New Deal programs and how they helped people

📝 Instructions:
  1. Divide poster board into sections
  2. Research and draw images of different New Deal programs
  3. Write short descriptions of how each program helped people
  4. Add Psalm 46:1 to the poster as a message of hope
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Focus on 2-3 major programs with simple illustrations

Challenge: Include economic data and more detailed historical context

4Closing (5 min)

Review key concepts of government support and God's provision

📝 Review Questions:
  • What was the most important New Deal program?
  • How did these programs help people?
  • How can we help others during difficult times?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for showing us how to care for others, especially during challenging times. Help us to be compassionate and supportive like Jesus.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll explore how faith helped people survive the Great Depression

💎 Memory Verse

Psalm 46:1

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

— Psalm 46:1 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: New Deal Hope Poster - students illustrate the verse with images of hope and resilience

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

The New Deal was a series of programs, financial reforms, and public works projects implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt between 1933-1939

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Emphasize hope and resilience
  • Connect historical challenges to current understanding
  • Encourage empathy for people experiencing hardship
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find economic concepts challenging to understand

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Compassionate understanding of historical hardship

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Interview grandparents or older relatives about family stories from the Great Depression
  • Create a timeline of New Deal programs
  • Research how government helps people during economic challenges today

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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