The Dust Bowl in the Classroom
The Dust Bowl examines the worst man-made ecological disaster in American history documenting its causes and impact as well as the personal stories of survival and human endurance. The curriculum for The Dust Bowl explores these subjects through a wide range of classroom activities exploring history, public policy, economics and ecology.
Carefully selected video segments from the series are integrated into the lesson activities to highlight subject matter themes and enhance student understanding of the historical period. In addition, The Dust Bowl lesson activities build students' academic and critical thinking skills and provide opportunities culminating projects such as documentaries, public forums, and digital storytelling.
The Dust Bowl lessons are developed for grades 7-12 and adaptable to other grade levels. They are written in standard PBS lesson format, complete with teacher information (goals, standards, and background), opening or warm up activity(s), featured activity(s) with short video clips (5 to 15 minutes) and discussion questions, culminating activities with authentic assessment, evaluation rubrics, extension activities, and resources.
Lesson Plans Include…
The Great Plow Up - The Economics of the Dust Bowl
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Related Academic Subjects: U.S. History, Economics, Geography
"A Man-Made Ecological Disaster of Biblical Proportions" Examining the Dust Bowl and Other Environmental Events
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Related Academic Subjects: U.S. History, Geography, Environmental Studies, Journalism
A New Deal
Grade Level: 9 - 12 (lesson may be adapted for middle school students)
Related Academic Subjects: US History; Government/Civics; Language Arts; Earth Science
Dust Bowl Blues: Analyzing the Songs of Woody Guthrie
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Related Academic Subjects: U.S. History, Music History, Language Arts
VIDEO USAGE RIGHTS
Why the AV version? Because it provides additional usage options for PBS videos. AV versions come with limited performance rights so they can be shown in classrooms, at PTA meetings, during after school programs, and transmitted on a closed-circuit system within a building or on a single campus. They also can be enjoyed in admission-free public screenings, which also makes them ideal for use by library patrons and businesses involved in community clubs and organizations.