Stock+Market+Crash

Usha's comments in Blue.

 Your name: Christine Girardi

**Initial Reading and Assessment of Textbook Treatment of the Topic**

Name of Gr. 10 Textbook examined: Canada: Face of a Nation

Name of more "scholarly" source examined: Six Days in October: The Stock Market Crash of 1929

__Your Initial Thoughts:__ Please provide a **brief** (5-10 sentences) initial assessment of the textbook's treatment of the subject. We have not developed any particular criteria by which to assess the textbook so this is really simply you initial reactions, feelings, questions about what you have read. Thanks!

The collapse of the Stock Market is only covered in a small paragraph consisting of six sentences. The paragraph basically states that the Great Depression was triggered by the Stock Market Crash which occurred on October 29, 1920. However, the text throughout the entire chapter on the Great Depression frames the Stock Market Crash, giving a brief explanation of what the Stock Market was and the prosperity linked to it through the 1920s. The text also includes a table which provides the Price of a Share in 1929 and 1932 so students can clearly see which companies suffered the most and exactly how devalued each share became. I think the text could be a bit more clear on the reasons for the Stock Market Crash, and how it effected the average Canadian. I do however enjoy the use of the table to clearly show students the difference in the value of a share.

The scholarly source obviously goes into far more detail (given it is an entire book on the subject). It outlines the “roaring twenties” much more thoroughly, giving context to the severity of the crash, given the time period prior to was one of abundant wealth for those rich enough to play the stocks. Furthermore it goes into great detail describing the events leading to the crash and the consequences which followed.

Thanks for your comments, Christine. Besides the extra detail, I think it is interesting that the other source examines the event as part of a greater story, looking at how it explains the economy of the decade before and also examines severity. It might be useful to look at its impact on different groups of Canadians also. You might also take a look at the curriculum document to get a sense of the place of the stock market crash within the curriculum.

Critical Thinking:

What was the response of the politicians to the Stock Market Crash? Given the outcome of their actions, what would you do differently?

I believe this includes elements of Critique the Piece, Decode the Puzzle, and Design to Specs.

Christine, you've got an interesting idea here. With a bit of tweaking, I think you'll have a solid critical challenge. Right now your first question ("what was the response") is a type 1 question - still important but as scaffolding rather than the question that will invite thinking. The second question is closer but right now is framed as a type 2 question (i.e. it seems to be focused on personal opinion). But I think I know what you're getting at - if you're asking students to critique the piece, it might be clearer to ask "Was their response effective?" If you're asking what they could have done differently to be more effective, you'd be asking them to "rework the piece". Does that make sense?


 * Lesson Design - Initial Planning Stages **

//Identify Key Learning //

Students will understand that the Stock Market Crash had dire effects on a wide range of socio-economic classes. Furthermore students will come to understand that the government did very little to alleviate the economic tensions which ensued. Well framed. Except that your question (below) asks whether the politicians' response was effective - but here you seem to be hoping they walk away understanding that it wasn't. Does that undermine the critical challenge? Do you think you might inadvertently end up leading them to a particular answer? Or do you think there is enough evidence that they could argue yes or no to the critical challenge below?

//Frame Critical Challenge //

Was the response of the politicians to the Stock Market Crash effective?

//How will this lesson help students build skills they will need for the summative assessment task for the unit? //

Compelling Visuals and Captions - there is a wealth of pictures surrounding the stock market crash for students to decode and better see the devastation created. News Report - students

//What dimensions of Historical Thinking will students actively engage in during this lesson? //

Historical Significance - Did the stock market crash significantly effect the future of a wide range of Canadians?


 * Intellectual Tools **

//Background Knowledge //

- Compare economic conditions of the 1920s and 1930s, and describe the impact of those conditions on Canadians, individually and collectively - Analyse how different levels of government in Canada reacted to the economic conditions of the Depression of the 1930s

//Criteria for Judgement //

Prominence at the time - what were the short term/long term effects of the Stock Market Crash Scope - Who all were effected?

//Habit of Mind //

Critically Minded

//Thinking Strategies //

//Critical Thinking Vocabulary //

Critique