Name:
Date:
Investigating the Dust Bowl
5W’s:
Intro
What?
Where?
When?
Why Study?
MAP: What do the arrows represent?
ADD NOTES FOR EACH MEDIUM USED TO CAPTURE AMERICAN EXPERIENCES DURING THE DUST BOWL.
FILM – Ken Burns’ “The Dust Bowl”
1.
Describe the imagery of the dust storms:
2.
Describe causes of the Dust Bowl:
3.
How did people seek to combat the dust? Did it work?
4.
Why were Biblical references made in regard to the Dust Bowl?
MUSIC – Woody Guthrie
1.
What else was Woody Guthrie known for?
2.
What is the “dust nu-mone-y”?
3.
How would you describe the tone and sound of his song?
4.
Is the condition Woody is singing about more serious than he makes it seem? Why?
LITERATURE – The Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck, 1939
1.
Who are the “Okies”?
2.
Why are they facing discrimination?
3.
What types of conflict is the narrator describing?
PRIMARY SOURCES
New York Times Articles
1. How does the article recognize/work to address both the man-made and natural causes of the Dust Bowl?
Letter
1. According to Grace’s letter, what problems did people living in the Dust Bowl encounter?
2. How would you describe Grace’s attitude about the dust?
3. What qualities or traits do you think helped Grace and her family survive the difficulties that they faced?
PHOTOS – Dorothea Lange & Walker Evans
1. Write descriptive phrases for the people portrayed in Dorothea’s photos.
2. What were some emotions that may have been felt by the people in these photos?
3. Why was it important for all Americans to see these photos?
WRAP UP/DISCUSSION Q: What medium was most successful for capturing this history? Why? What
lessons can we take from the Dust Bowl? Have we made progress related to these issues? Why/why not?