Description

Roaring ’20s & Great Depression Simulation Activity

Life of a Farmer

History can be difficult for students to understand and experience. Simulations help students put themselves in the past, learning about history in an authentically engaging way. Students love simulations because they don’t know what the final outcome will be. It’s an exciting learning experience!

Want to try a FREE simulation? You can download my free World War 2 Battle of Iwo Jima simulation to get a closer look!

This minimal prep simulation puts students in the role of a farmer during the 1920s and 1930s. Students will learn about a Midwestern farmer’s life and what they went through during the ’20s & ’30s. Students will learn how difficult it was for farmers to determine which crops to plant and livestock to raise. They will also learn why many farmers were not able to afford to keep their land. This resource is aligned to my Roaring ’20s & Great Depression Unit Bundle.

This Great Depression Simulation includes:

★ 32 farmer ID cards
★ instruction cards
★ planning cards cards
★ climate report cards
★ harvest report cards
★ price report cards
★ investment return cards
★ student instructions page
★ student simulation recording pages
★ farm planning page
★ data analysis pages
★ teacher instructions page
★ RAFT task page
★ PPT

The cards have a colored background to differentiate between the different types. However, if you prefer to save color ink, I have included black line versions, and you can print onto colored paper. The only item you might need besides what is included in this resource is a calculator (if students need one). That’s it! Everything else you need is right here!

Students begin the simulation with $1000. Students want to end the simulation with as much money as possible. As students progress through this simulation, students make choices as to which crops to plant and which livestock to raise. First, students assume a farmer’s identity. Then students will plan out their crops and livestock for the upcoming planting season. Students read a climate report to see how their crops and livestock might have fared. Then students calculate their profits or losses for that harvest season. Students will plant crops and raise livestock for 6 years. They will use historical market prices for crops and livestock and historical climate reports. Authentic data is included in this simulation! Students will also be incorporating math as they calculate their profits and/or losses.

Each decision affects their fate. There are multiple outcomes based on the decisions students make, so they can go through this simulation multiple times and have a different outcome each time!

My students LOVE simulations! Not only are they engaging and fun, but students are also LEARNING more about the topic.

Looking for something more comprehensive? Check out my COMPLETE CURRICULUM for the Roaring ’20s & Great Depression.

++++++++++++++++SIMULATIONS Available++++++++++++++++
♦ Colonial America: A New Life in Plymouth
♦American Revolution: No More Taxes!
♦Constitution & A New Nation: Lewis & Clark Expedition
♦Civil War: Tour of Duty
♦Gilded Age: Life of a Factory Worker
♦World War 1: Life in the Trenches
♦Roaring ’20s & Great Depression: Life of a Farmer
♦World War 2: Code Talkers
♦World War 2: Battle of Iwo Jima FREE

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Heather LeBlanc, LLC