Name: Tipps-Holder, Sherry
E-mail: stipps@conwaycorp.net
Topic: The Depression Domino in "Byway" Arkansas
Grade: 6-8
Time: One class period
Ark. Hist. Framework: 1.1.14, 4.1.14,5.1.15
Objective: Using this simulation activity, the students will understand the
economic effects of the Great Depression on the lives of members of the small
town of "Byway" Arkansas.
Set: Read the section titled Key Facts to the students or have them read
pages 286-287 of the text silently. Have a couple of students stand the
depression dominos on end to form a chain then tap one on the end
the catalyst). Tell the students by the end of the class period they
must be prepared to explain how the falling domino chain represents. the economic
situation of the people of "Byway" Arkansas.
Materials: 1. An Arkansas History for Young People by T. Harri Baker
and Jane Browning (Chapter 8: Hard Times)
2. "Byway Bank Signs" designated Open or Closed
(The following should be written on ¼ pieces of poster board
with strings attached like open/closed store signs with bank name on the front
and open/closed on the back written in large, red letters:
Farmers Cooperative Bank (CLOSED on the back of sign)
American Union Bank of Arkansas (???FUTURE UNCERTAIN)
Farmers State Bank (CLOSED on the back of sign)
First State Regional Bank (OPEN)
Byway Community Bank (CLOSED on the back of sign)
3. Occupation Cards with individual identities of "Byway" town people written
on the back (Print these from Figure#1 and paste them onto large size
index cards.)
***To obtain a copy of the occupation cards for this activity, please
e-mail me.
Key Terms: Great Depression, Stock Market Crash of 1929, catalyst, scarcity
interdependence
Key Facts: Leading into the period of time known as the
Great Depression, Arkansas had already suffered tremendous economic loss with
the Great Flood of 1927. With the Stock Market Crash of 1929, the
economic situation in Arkansas unraveled further. The banks closed
across the country with the "bank holiday". Some banks were allowed to
reopen if they were financially sound.
In Arkansas, 192 banks failed. Many people lost all of
their money placed in checking or savings accounts. Nearly half
of all businesses closed by 1931. New construction dropped by two-thirds
and lumber mills, a chief industry in Arkansas was reduced by 60 percent.
About 245,00 people in the state lost their jobs or suffered wage cuts.
Some
people worked for 50 cents a day. The yearly income of Arkansans fell
from $705.00 in 1929 to $152.00 in 1933 (Baker and Browning).
Activities: Before the class period, hang the bank signs on strings from the front
board or a bulletin board with the names of the banks showing. Tell
the students they are going to assume the identity of a person in "Byway", Arkansas,
during 1929-1930. Put an identity card face down on each student's desk.
Next, allow all of the students to read their identities silently.
Announce: Because of the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and subsequent
events, the following banks will either permanently
close or remain open: One by one, turn over the bank signs to reveal
the fate of each bank.
Announce: All of you who had either savings, checking accounts
or bank loans from a bank that is now closed please stand up. Count the number
of "Byway" citizens that do business in banks that are now closed.
Announce: Now we are going to let each citizen of "Byway" report
on his or her status. Tell the class who you are. When we do this
I want each one of you to answer three or four questions: (Write
questions on a marker board or overhead transparency.)
1. Will it be easier or harder to support myself?
2. Will you be buying more or fewer goods in the future?
3. How will my ability to support myself or my family be affected by the
status of others in my town?
4. For Farmers:
Given the fact that few banks are making farm loans for tools, seeds and
machinery, how can you keep your farm in business?
What has happened to the price of farm products like cotton?
What forces of nature will make it hard for you to stay in business?
What options do you have open to you? (check p. 288-290 of the text about
the Dust Bowl)
***Is it important for the teacher to be able to help the students make connections
between the different occupations of "Byway" and help the students see how their
occupation or business might fall prey to a "domino effect".
Closure: After the citizens of "Byway", Arkansas have reported
on their status ask for volunteers to explain how the economic condition of the
citizens of Byway resemble a chain of dominos that are tapped on one end.
What is the point? (Everyone in the economy was affected by the Great Depression
in some way because of scarcity and
interdependence. Explain the terms. People were often forced to make
very difficult choices.)
Assessment: Give the students an occupation list of all of the people of
Byway, Arkansas. In groups, have the students create domino list ( a form
of web) showing how one occupation or job in Byway might be affected by others
during the Great Depression. Present these to the class.
Resources: An Arkansas History for Young People, T. Harri Baker and
Jane
Browning; University of Arkansas Press, Fayetteville, 1997.
-----------------