1. Complete a "Then and Now" chart to compare prices during this time period and the present day.

Occupation and Salary Chart:

Your occupation will be determined by your last name. For example: Mrs. Clapham would be a factory worker...

* National Averages for 1932

2. Using your weekly wage, prepare a monthly budget and determine how many hours or weeks of work it would take you to buy the following items:

• an electric washing machine
• a Ford automobile
• a winter coat
• a 2 lb. bag of flour
• a pair of underwear
• a visit to the doctor
• a movie ticket
• a tube of toothpaste

Print out Work Form

Print out Budget Planning Sheet

2. You will gather information for a short essay of three paragraphs that you will write in class. Take notes on the work form for the paragraphs about daily life for your 'family'. On your work form, list the web address and title of any sites you use.

Paragraph 1 should include information about the financial situation of your 'family'.

• What would your family not be able to afford?
   
• What items would your family need to save for in order to purchase them? How long would you have to save?
   
• What items are necessary for your family's survival?
   

Paragraph 2 should include information about daily life.

• What clothes would your family wear?
   
• What kind of transportation would your family be able to use?
   
• What kind of dwelling would your family be able to afford?
   
• What would you do if you were ill?

Paragraph 3 should include information about leisure activities during this period in history.

• What would your family be able to do for fun-- go to the movies, sports, listen to the radio, etc.
   

Give credit to the sites and evaluate the sites used in the research.

Example:
The Great Depression; A project on the hungry decade of change by class 11M, Point Grey Mini School. [online]Available http://trinculo.educ.sfu.ca/pgm/depress/greatdepress.html#popcul, February 25, 1997.