The Homecoming in Virginia

Setting: The Great Depression

1933

The Georgia Performance Standard

The student will explain conflict and change in Europe to the 21st Century.

The Great Depression became a “World Depression”

What was it life for families living during the Great Depression.

The Two John-Boys

The Hamner Family

Earl Hamner once said,"There were eight of us. Tall, lean, fine-boned, red-headed youngsters growing up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia during the Depression. My father called us 'his thoroughbreds,' and put us on a pedestal. CBS called us 'The Waltons,' and put us on television."

The Waltons first aired over twenty-five years ago and nothing has since been the same for the Hamner family. From-time-to-time, the Hamners visit their home town of Schuyler, Virginia and reminisce about the last two-plus decades.

Home of Earl Hamner

A Mural Activity

Design a Christmas mural illustrating Walton’s Mountain, how the people lived, and the family traditions during the Depression of 1933. Focus on illustrating events from the movie that appeal to each of the five senses. See, Hear, Smell, Taste, and Touch

Walton’s Mountain

Christmas Traditions

The Christmas Tree

Way of Life During the Depression

Ike Godsey’s StoreThe Doll

#2 Mary Ellen’s Growing Pains

Mary Ellen has some major growing pains at age 13, and she’s not getting along with her siblings.

Write a letter to Mary Ellen that describes being a teenage in 2011. How is your life different from Mary Ellen? How is it similar? Help Mary Ellen understand that no matter when and where you live, teens experience happiness and frustration.

#3 John-Boy Walton The Writer

We learned from the movie, that John-Boy loves to write and has chosen writing as his future career. Looking into the future, John-Boy’s dream has come true. He is a columnist for the New York Times. John-Boy has decided to write a serious of articles about life on Walton’s Mountain during the Great Depression. If you were John-Boy, what would you want people to know about The Homecoming and that special Christmas Eve in 1933?

Help John-boy out by writing the first article. Select one event from the movie that you believe to be the most memorable and write an article describing this event and why it would be so unforgettable.

#4 John Walton Needs a Job John Walton has decided not

to return to his job in Charlottesville, Virginia because he does not want to be away from his family. Unfortunately, the family will have no money. Can you see a possible solution to John’s problem?

Complete the problem-solution chart by stating John’s problem.

Review Roosevelt’s New Deal program. Select three of the programs that would be possible solutions to John’s unemployment problem.

Explain each of these programs on the problem solution chart. Under the best solution, write at least one paragraph that will convince John Walton to try this solution.

http://www.the-waltons.com/hamner.html

http://www.the-waltons.com/2jb.html