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Maine Samplers III Children of the Dust Bowl by Jerry Stanley |
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Crown, 1992. Summary: Briefly discusses the causes of the Dust Bowl, the subsequent migration of the Okies to California, their experiences after they arrived, and the development of the school at Weedpatch Camp. Level: RL: 5-8 IL: 4-8 Themes: Activities: 1. The Okies experienced a drought that lasted several years and that eventually made the land they farmed unusable. Reread Chapter One in Children of the Dust Bowl that describes the drought. Develop a visual presentation to illustrate the scientific causes of the drought that lead to the creation of the Dust Bowl and the eventual desertion of the Panhandle. [What are some questions that you need to answer in order to complete this activity? Create a plan for researching these questions and any others that occur as a result of your research. Write down the sources you will initially consult, and keep track of the other sources you use. Stop your search periodically and assess whether you are finding out what you need and following the time frame you set up. When you have the information you need, decide which method of presentation will most effectively and interestingly illustrate the information.] 2. "Cracks around windows and doors were taped or stuffed with wet towels, but it was impossible to escape the dust. At night families slept with wet washcloths or sponges over their faces to filter out the dust, but in the morning they would find their pillows and blankets caked with dirt, their tongues and teeth coated with grit. Every morning the house had to be cleaned. Everett Buckland of Waynocka said, 'If you didn't sweep the dugout right quick between the storms, you'd end up scooping it out with shovel.'" (pg 7) How much dust do you think accumulated during a storm if you'd have to shovel after two or more storms? Think of the swirling dust like the swirling snowflakes during a snowstorm in Maine. The drifts of sand "buried chickens, pigs, dogs and occasionally cattle." Create a visual representation of the approximate heights to which the sand would drift. [How are you going to do this? Will you create a model to scale? One of actual sizes or height? A chart? Decide on a method.] You will be evaluated on the accuracy of your representations, the effectiveness of your presentation, and evidence that you have researched your presentation. 3. The trip the Okies took on U.S. Route 66 was approximately 2000 miles in distance. Reread Chapter Two-"Mother Road". A. The journey for some people took as little as three weeks to complete and for others as long as six months. Try to explain the huge discrepancy in these times. Back up your theories with information from this book or other books you read while researching this question. Compare your answers with 2 or 3 classmates. Were you in agreement as to the causes of the time differences? B. U. S. Route 66 is now closed. Using maps, guide books and other sources, plot out the routes you would now use to get from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Bakersfield, California. What would you need to know to have a successful trip? Figure on travelling between 300 to 400 miles per day and create an itinerary for the trip. You may make side trips to local attractions along the way. Share the results with your classmates. 4A. Based on what you know from reading Children of the Dust Bowl and your previous experience, define "migration." You may want to brainstorm, and then form your ideas into a cohesive definition. Do not use the dictionary at this point. Do the same for the word "immigration." Now check these definitions in a dictionary. Reflect on what you knew before you checked the dictionary as well as what you learned with the help of the dictionary. Note the similarities and differences in the meanings of these two words. B. The Okies migrated from Oklahoma to California. Other groups have immigrated to the United States or have migrated to other locations in the United States. You yourself may have moved from one town or state to another. Some migrations involved large numbers of people; others were less dramatic. Choose one of the following groups and discover why they moved:
5. (Small groups or 4-6 members) The Okies were treated with prejudice by many people when the reached California. Find specific examples cited in the book that illustrate the prejudice. Keeping notes, discuss in your group what it means to be prejudiced. Can you think of other times in United State's history when a group--a specific population--was treated with prejudice? Can you think of groups that are prejudiced against today? Back up your assertions with specific examples whenever you can. As a group, decide which one of the populations you will research. Research the reasons why that population was or is discriminated against. Make judgements about whether the discrimination was fair or unfair--and justify your judgements. Your group will then decide on the best dramatic method to present this information to your classmates or library pals. Examples are: a play, a puppet presentation, a radio drama, a mock-debate, a mock newscast... Create a plan for presenting this information--much like a story board. Don't forget that your audience will need some context to put the information in--historical, informational... Present your drama to another small group and ask for constructive criticism and take notes of their responses and suggestions. Have them assess the flow of the sequence. Select two or three of what you think are their most important suggestions. Also note where you, as a group, feel the drama needs improvement. Rework the drama and present it to your classmates or a library group. 6. When the Okies reached California, they found very little work. Because they had no money and no secure jobs, most of the migrants were homeless. A similar problem is occurring in the United States right now. The circumstances are slightly different, but the number of homeless people is increasing daily. Explore the issue of homelessness in the United States. What do you think are some good solutions to this problem? Support your ideas with the information you find. Resources: Jerry Stanley: History
Migration/Immigration
Homelessness
Prepared by Diane Hilchey-Chandler, Public Children's Librarian, Methuen, M |
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