Students, today we will be taking a look at soil conversation and how important our topsoil really is to us. In order to accomplish this we will be taking an in-depth look at the Dust bowl of the 30’s. There are two parts to this activity today, both of which are listed below.

Part 1: Guiding Question

What can be learned from photographs, songs, interviews and other archival documents from the Dust Bowl era?

To answer that guiding question, you and your team will need to first answer these 5 basic questions about the Dust bowl (use the links found at the resources page for direction):
1.What was the Dust Bowl?
2.Where was the Dust Bowl?
3.How were people affected by the Dust Bowl?
4.What did the people who were affected by the Dust Bowl do?
5.What did the United States government do?

PART 2: ANATOMY OF A DUST BOWL

Read the excerpt about how the Dust Bowl began using Link #1. Then, print out the “Anatomy of a Dust Bowl” worksheet (Link #2) & explain on each side of the T-chart what causes a dust bowl to happen.

LINK #1 – Anatomy of Dust Bowl Reading

LINK #2 – Anatomy of a Dust Bowl Worksheet

Part 3: SURVIVOR’S STORIES

Watch the video clip of a dust storm in Link #5. Then, watch 2 or more survivors share their experiences in Link #6. Fill in the assigned information on the “Anatomy of a Dust Bowl” worksheet from Link #5.

LINK #5 – Video File of a Dust Storm

LINK #6 – Survivors Tell their Dust Storm Stories

Mr. McClung