"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
OK PASS: RL9.4: Research and Information The student will conduct research and organize information.
VL9.3: Compose Visual Messages The student will create a visual message that effectively communicates an idea.
Lesson Overview:The Dust Bowl was an environmental catastrophe that, throughout the 1930s, destroyed the farmlands of the Great Plains, turned prairies into deserts, and unleashed a pattern of massive, deadly dust storms that for many seemed to herald the end of the world. It was the worst man-made ecological disaster in American history.
In this lesson, students produce their own documentary on an environmental event, either recent or in the past, in their local community. According to Gerard Hauser in Introduction to Rhetorical Theory, "because human creations can be shared, they can give meaning to the experiences of whoever encounters them" (106). Hauser goes on to say that "creativity is a social activity" that "brings to others a symbolic structure that is open to appreciation, discussion, modification, action, and a multitude of possible responses" (106). Allowing students to create in this project will not only allow and encourage discusiion and critical thinking, but will also allow students to connect with each other and their community.
Related Academic Subjects: U.S. History, Geography, Environmental Studies, Journalism
OK PASS: RL9.4: Research and Information The student will conduct research and organize information.
VL9.3: Compose Visual Messages The student will create a visual message that effectively communicates an idea.
Lesson Overview:The Dust Bowl was an environmental catastrophe that, throughout the 1930s, destroyed the farmlands of the Great Plains, turned prairies into deserts, and unleashed a pattern of massive, deadly dust storms that for many seemed to herald the end of the world. It was the worst man-made ecological disaster in American history.
In this lesson, students produce their own documentary on an environmental event, either recent or in the past, in their local community. According to Gerard Hauser in Introduction to Rhetorical Theory, "because human creations can be shared, they can give meaning to the experiences of whoever encounters them" (106). Hauser goes on to say that "creativity is a social activity" that "brings to others a symbolic structure that is open to appreciation, discussion, modification, action, and a multitude of possible responses" (106). Allowing students to create in this project will not only allow and encourage discusiion and critical thinking, but will also allow students to connect with each other and their community.
dust-bowl-lesson-plan-disaster-of-biblical-proportions.pdf | |
File Size: | 417 kb |
File Type: |
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
OKPASS: RL9.4.2: Interpreting Information The student will analyze and evaluate information from a variety of sources.
OLLS9.1 - Listening The student will listen for information and for pleasure.
OLLS9.2 - Speaking The student will express ideas and opinions in group or individual situations.
Lesson Overview: In the mid-1930s, the southern Plains were gripped by drought, high winds, and massive dust storms that threatened the health and safety of tens of thousands of people, many of them children. The Roosevelt administration was willing to experiment, see what worked, abandon what didn't and move on. But these solutions sometimes ran afoul with political opponents who felt government shouldn't step in or objected to the cost, or felt the solutions didn't go far enough. Groups affected by the Dust Bowl had varied views about how to solve the problems, but which solution provided the most effective remedy?
In this activity students work in groups, representing different views on what policy to implement to address the problems of the Dust Bowl, and develop solutions to address these problems. Throughout this activity, students will engage in argumentation to ensure their thoughts are being heard and understood. According to Timothy Borchers in Rhetorical Theory: An Introduction, argumentation "makes use of evidence, reasoning, and systematic thought" (95). Students will be required to provide evidence when presenting their policy and solutions.
Related Academic Subjects: US History; Government/Civics; Language Arts; Earth Science
OKPASS: RL9.4.2: Interpreting Information The student will analyze and evaluate information from a variety of sources.
OLLS9.1 - Listening The student will listen for information and for pleasure.
OLLS9.2 - Speaking The student will express ideas and opinions in group or individual situations.
Lesson Overview: In the mid-1930s, the southern Plains were gripped by drought, high winds, and massive dust storms that threatened the health and safety of tens of thousands of people, many of them children. The Roosevelt administration was willing to experiment, see what worked, abandon what didn't and move on. But these solutions sometimes ran afoul with political opponents who felt government shouldn't step in or objected to the cost, or felt the solutions didn't go far enough. Groups affected by the Dust Bowl had varied views about how to solve the problems, but which solution provided the most effective remedy?
In this activity students work in groups, representing different views on what policy to implement to address the problems of the Dust Bowl, and develop solutions to address these problems. Throughout this activity, students will engage in argumentation to ensure their thoughts are being heard and understood. According to Timothy Borchers in Rhetorical Theory: An Introduction, argumentation "makes use of evidence, reasoning, and systematic thought" (95). Students will be required to provide evidence when presenting their policy and solutions.
dust-bowl-lesson-plan-a-new-deal.pdf | |
File Size: | 396 kb |
File Type: |