Over the past two days, our 8th graders participated in an immersive simulation of the Great Depression. Working in pairs, students were challenged to navigate the financial hardships many families faced during the 1930s.Throughout the activity, students made decisions about budgeting their money after job loss, paying essential bills, and even choosing whether to sell items from their “homes” in order to stay afloat. Some groups experienced additional challenges—such as caring for a family member’s baby, facing consequences for unpaid taxes or mortgage, or making clothing from limited resources.For those who could no longer afford their “homes,” the simulation continued with students relocating to a Hooverville-sitting under their desks.