Mamone 1-11-17
Expeditionary Learning Curriculum: Module 2, Introduction Lesson Part B
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I CAN
1.Analyze letters from children during The Great Depression. (RL6.2&5)
2.Write a letter that is appropriate to the task, purpose and audience (W6.1&4)
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DO NOW
1. Pair discuss w/face partner: Which quote do you connect to the most? Why?
2. Use quotes from Eleanor Roosevelt.
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ML
1.Before we begin the novel, let’s spend time learning more about the setting of the story and what it was like living during the Great Depression. Eleanor Roosevelt had spoken often of her concern for the country's children.
"I have moments of real terror when I think we might be losing this generation. We have got to bring these young people into the active life of the community and make them feel that they are necessary." 1934
Thousands of children and young adults wrote letters to her, asking for help.
They talked to her as a confidant, with whom they could share the details of their lives, no matter how painful or even embarrassing to them. In their letters, they seem certain that the First Lady will come to their aid.
2. Model by thinking aloud what life was like during The Great Depression using “My Dear Mrs. Roosevelt” letter.
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GP
1.Read another letter to Mrs. Roosevelt aloud. Time-Pair-Share w/ face partner:
-What does the letter from W.B. tell you about what it was like living during The Great Depression? Cite evidence.
-Cite evidence from the letter that shows W.B. trusts Mrs. Eleanor.
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IP
1.TASK: Write a letter about a problem that distresses you the most to the person you believe has the greatest influence in solving it.
-Is it a worldly issue (environment, terrorism, hunger)?
-Is it a community issue (park, public transportation, safety)
-Is it a personal issue (school, friends, family)?
Use the letters to Eleanor Roosevelt to guide your writing.
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DOK HIGH LEVEL QUESTIONS
1. What is the (possible) impact of writing a letter to a President?
2. Why do you think Mrs. Roosevelt was unable to respond to some of the letters?
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DIFFERENTIATION & ASSESSMENT
1. Students have choice in intro and task.
2. Use a letter template with sentence starters for students struggling with organization. Use data from the short story assessment to determine grouping.
3. Collect and assess letters for understanding.
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CLOSING
1.Stand Up-Hand Up-Pair Up to share letters.
2.As we read Bud, Not Buddy think about Bud's letter to Mrs. Roosevelt....
What challenges would Bud write about? Are they personal or worldly? What would he ask for? How could he persuade her? How might Mrs. Roosevelt respond? Who else could help him?
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HOMEWORK
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RESOURCES
Port Morris N.J.
March 20, 1934
My Dear Mrs. Roosevelt,
Do you realize that "Easter" is at hand? Do you realize how many hearts are broken on this account? Do you realize how hard it’s going to be for most people? Like me, for instance, I am a young girl of fifteen and I need a coat, so bad I have no money, nor any means of getting any. My father has been out of work for two years.
My brother works on the C.W.A. but he is, or rather has been, insane in an asylum and has taken most of our money. My mother gets 'fits' when I ask her to buy me something new. Poor mother, I sympathize with her because it has been very hard on her, this depression, and having no money at all but debts piling up on us. I want to tell you something: We were once the richest people in our town but now, we are the lowest, considered, the worst people of Port Morris.
For Easter some friends of mine are thinking of getting new out-fits and I just have to listen to them. How I wish I could have at least a coat. That would cost about $5.00 at least. I need a dress. I want one and it only cost $.79 cents. Dear Eleanor how I wish I had this coat and dress for Easter I would be the happiest girl. I love you so much.
Please send me about $6.00
I thank you so much.
A. C.
Reply to the letter:
March 24, 1934
My Dear Miss C.:
Mrs. Roosevelt asks me to acknowledge your letter and to express her regret that because of the great number of similar requests she receives, she has found it impossible to comply with them, much as she would like to assist all those who appeal to her.
Assuring you of Mrs. Roosevelt's sympathy, I am
Very sincerely yours,
Secretary to
Mrs. Roosevelt
Old Saybrook, Conn.
July 27, 1938
Dear Mrs. Roosevelt:
I am a poor colored girl who thinks quite a lot of you and your family, and I know you have done a lot for my race and we appreciate it immensely.
Now I am going to ask you two personal favors which I hope you can do. The first is: will you find my daddy a job as caretaker and gardener on an estate or as a janitor of a club or theater? He can't find one and we can't afford to put an advertisement in the papers. He has sixteen years experience.
The second thing I want to ask you to do for me is a big favor but I do hope and pray you will do it. My situation is as follows: I am a girl who lives in this small town called Old Saybrook. I was born here and have lived here all of my life. In June of 1935, I was graduated from the Old Saybrook High School and in June of 1936, I was post graduated from the same high school. Now I desire to continue my education by studying "theology" at the "Moody Theological College" in Chicago. Upon graduation from Moody College I would like to become a foreign Missionary or professional choir singer or teacher.
I am ambitious and determined to succeed, and because I am determined to succeed and ambitious I am writing to ask you if you will and could please finance my expenses for me. You don't know what it would mean to me if you would do it for me. You see, I couldn't bring myself to ask just any body to do this. I had to ask some one who has money and some one who is good and kind to colored people and does not hate them. You know as well as I do that a lot of the white people hate the colored people, so I couldn't ask just anybody like a white girl could. Therefore I was doomed until I thought if you. I hope you won't think I am bold in asking you to do this for me.
I would try to complete my course in about 2 1/2 years. There is no charge for tuition. But I must pay for my room and board which would be about seven (7) dollars a week. Then I must pay for incidentals etc. I figure that if you would allow me ten (10) dollars a week I could make my ends meet. We go to school from September to the first week in August. Negros are not allowed to stay at the dormitories so I would have to room and board outside. The superintendent said that he would find me a suitable place to stay. Then I would need about eight dollars ($8) extra to have four of my teeth fixed before I can get my doctors certificate in and checked by Moody College.
I would like to go this fall in September so I wish you would let me hear from you right away. I have been out of school 2 years already and would not like to keep waiting. I tried to get a job but none of the people wanted me because I have no experience in house work. Now it is too late for me to get a job because August is here and it will soon be September. I don't feel smart enough to work my way through and keep up with my studies at the same time. Therefore, now that it's so late I am asking you for help. I want you to understand that I would be willing and glad to pay you back after I had been graduated and received a position. I would like to pay you so much at a time until I had it all paid up.
I beg and implore you please do not give my name to the newspapermen and please do not give them this letter to print. I would be very hurt and embarrassed; this is a personal matter between you and me. I do not want my name in the papers because I live in a small town and everyone knows me, and they would make fun of me, I know. So, once again I beg you do not let the newspapermen hear of this. Thank you very much.
Hoping you will get my daddy a job so that he can pay his bills and hoping that you will lend me the money for my schooling so that I may go in September, I am,
Yours affectionately,
W. B.
P.S.
I have tried to get a loaning concern to lend me the money, but they don't want to wait, until I have been graduated, for their money. I have been trying to get work or some means to get to Moody ever since I was graduated and because my future looked black I have come to you in desperation. I hope you will lend a hand to a poor colored girl who would appreciate it and I will endeavor to make myself worthy of your extended hand and kindness. You understand that I would like to pay it back and would like about ten (10) dollars a week and eight dollars extra in advance. I want to go in September. Once more I will beg you not to give my name and this letter to the newspapermen or any officials.
Thanking you for what you will do for me, I remain,
Yours respectfully,
W.
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