Great Depression Webquest

  The Great Depression Webquest 

Introduction:

It is early the 1930's. The Great Depression has hit your town hard. You and your family have been affected by many of the same problems that affected families all across America. Many families have been forced from their homes, parents have lost their jobs, and the basic necessities you took for granted a few years ago are now just a wishful memory.

   
                                                                     

Your Depression Era task has two parts. You will complete the following tasks this order:

1.  Complete the Then and Now chart by shopping online and using today's cost.  

2.  Prepare a monthly budget for your family of four after you and your family were forced to move in search of a job

Step 1:  

Your first job is to complete the "Then and Now" worksheet. 

You are given the prices for certain items in the 1930s. You need to use websites for today's stores, such as JCPenny, Shop N Save, or Wal Mart,  and find a price for an item today. 
 

Step 2: Occupation

Your occupation will be determined by your last name. Look at the following to find out what your job and salary will be! 

A-C : maid/house keeper: $40/month
D-F: Bus Driver $110/month 
G-I: Nurse  $80/month
J-L: Doctor $300/month
M-O: Construction Worker $70/month
P-R: Teacher $100/month
S-V: Factory Worker  $45/month
W-Z: Handy Man $30/month       

Step 3: Housing

                                          

Apartment: $15/month 
Sears House Kit Home: $55/month
Trailer: $25/month 
Modern Home in a desired location: $100  

Step 4: Utilities 

Now that you know what type of housing you will live in, you need to budget for your utilities.
Below are the average costs for the types of homes. Do you earn enough to have electricity? Maybe. List your utility costs on your budget planning sheet.

Small Apartment: $15/month 
House: $25/month 
Large House: $35/month 

Step 5: Food                             

The average food costs for a family of 4 were 25% of your monthly income. Calculate the amount of money you would spend on food for your family and list it on your budget planning sheet. 

Step 6: Personal Effects/Household Items 

The average cost of things for the house like soap, toothpaste, toilet tissue, and razors was $15. Add this to your budget planning sheet.

Step 7: Car

Will you have a car? 
The average cost of different types of cars are listed below. Pick one that you think will work with your monthly income and list it on your budget planning sheet. 

Cheapest: $35/month
Middle of the Road: $70/month
Expensive/Luxury: $100/month     

Step 8: Car Maintenance 

If you own a car you must maintain it. You have to get gas, pay for parking, and get oil changes. The average cost of these things is $35/month. Add this to your budget planning sheet. 

Step 9: Entertainment

Everyone needs s little entertainment in their life! The average cost of extra entertainment for a family of 4 in the 1930s ranged from $5-$25. This was also the money spent on getting books and toys for the children. It could also include trips to the movies  or to a baseball game.    

Depending on the amount of money you earn, pick an amount of money you will spend on entertainment each month and write it on your budget planning sheet.

Step 10: Do you have enough?

Now that you have written down the monthly costs for all of these categories add them all up and write the total at the bottom of your budget sheet. Is it more than what you make a month? Do you have money left over? 

If your monthly expenses are higher than your income you must go through your budget list to find things to cut from your spending. On your sheet, just put an X through the things you want to cut from your budget.

What is left on your sheet? What can you pay for with the money you make each month? Are you able to pay all of your bills and have a car or do things for your entertainment?  

 
Now that you have completed your budget sheet, write a paragraph explaining your family's situation. Explain the following in your paragraph:

• your occupation
• your housing
• if you have car and if you don't tell me why
• Do you get to go out for entertainment purposes?
• Do you make enough to pay all of your bills and buy enough food for your family?
• What do you make enough money to pay for?
• Talk about what you think your style of living would be. Do you think it would be enjoyable? Why or why not.