American Girl Curriculum - Girls of American History Unit 7 1934 The Great Depression-Kit® - Family License

Studying history as a family is, perhaps, the best way to learn.  One of the most important parts of homeschooling is family relationship.  Schooling multiple ages together with the continuity of the same subject matter for literature and history, as well as crafts and field trip experiences, gives opportunities for family discussion and builds long lasting and cherished memories.

The experiences practiced in multisensory learning allow each family member to participate in ways that help them understand and retain best.  Brothers and sisters learn together and help each other with projects such as making a quilt or working at a homeless shelter, having discussions about the story, historical information, as well as positive character traits such as pride vs humility, perseverence, etc.  

Multisensory learning is great for every kind of learner - because each learner gets to experience learning the way they are most comfortable - but they also have the opportunity to learn through other senses.  Studies and research have shown that learning material through multiple senses helps children to retain information better.

Get the entire family involved while visiting a living history museum or making homemade ice cream.  This six week unit study using the American Girl® Kit® series books is also great for doing school with an additional family or two.  Get together for weekly activities or field trips, while doing the rest of the study on your own with your family.  Get together at the end of the unit for a Hobo party of your own!

There are two options for the required readers for this unit.  American Girl orignally printed the Kit® stories in a six book set. These stories have been reformatted into a three book set called "Beforever".  Either book set will work for this curriculum.

This series of books follows a strong and creative girl through life during the depression. She learns about working hard, helping others and teaches others along the way. Strong male characters include her brother, father and a friend.

This time in history helps teach us so much about values and morals. Some things to consider including would be the crash of the stock market, the Dust Bowl, living during the depression, Amelia Earhart, Eleanor Roosevelt, and more. Craft and field trip ideas from the time period are included in the unit to help enhance the study. Some examples of crafts include a quilt, kite, making jam and more.

**Crafts are not included in the purchase of the curriculum, but resources and instruction as to what crafts to purchase are included.  Some units do include free craft templates. Family license allows single family usage for the purchaser only.  Copies are not permitted for use outside of the owner's immediate family.  If you are a co-op or charter school purchasing for a single family - please make a note of the family's name and email address when ordering.