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The Dust Bowl And The Great Migration To The West

Page history last edited by andrew.bocchi@... 12 years, 11 months ago

Esperanza Rising: The Dust Bowl & The Great Migration to the West

"We're now seeing the first large-scale, environmentally related displacement of people in 70 years. . ."

                                               ~ James Gregory

 

The story of Esperanza Rising, in large part, takes place amid the migrant labor camps of California.  The story is set during a period of U.S. history in which vast numbers of Mexican and U.S. citizens migrated to the west coast. Some of the basic questions I want to explore with students in this section are:

 

  • What caused the Dust Bowl? 

 

  • How did the Dust Bowl influence the migration to the west coast?

 

  • Who is responsible for the environmental state of the world today?

 

  • What can students do to influence others to adopt more environmentally sound behaviors?

 

1.  The U.S. Dust Bowl of the 1930's

 


 

This video provides a brief introduction to the Dust Bowl. It explains what it was, what caused it, and ultimately how it could have been avoided. After watching the video, host a classroom discussion using the following questions:

 

  • What caused the Dust Bowl?

 

  • Do you notice any similarities between the Dust Bowl and any modern day environmental issues? Which ones?

 

  • The narrator of the video said, "It could have been avoided." What environmental disasters is the world facing today that "could have be avoided?" 

 

  • How come we seem to know what is good and what is bad for the environment, yet, we continue to do the things we know are bad for it?

 

  • Is technology a good thing or a bad thing? Why?

 

  • Who is responsible for the Dust Bowl disaster?

 

2. Fargo Flood Forces Evacuation

 

Here is a news story about the Fargo floods of '09. I feel that having students view this clip is a great way to put the topic of the Dust Bowl in context with something contemporary. The clip offers interviews with flood victims, and a description what the town of Fargo is up against.

 

As a classroom activity, create a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting the Fargo Flood with the Dust Bowl.

 

Have students write a journal response to the following question:

 

  • If your home was suddenly destroyed, where would you go? What would you take with you? Who would you go with?

 

Next, have students take a look at the following map:

 


 

Have students answer the following question:

 

  • How did the Dust Bowl influence the migration to the West?

 

3. Esperanza's Journey West

 

Have students now read p. 81-138 (Chapters 5-7)

 

Also, have students complete all of the Tier I and II activities. For students that required additional challenges, have those students completes of the the Tier III activities as well. The activities can be found on my Vocabulary Activities page.

 

Students should write an essay on the following:

 

  • In a well-organized, cause and effect essay, outline the causes of this period of migration and state what the effects of it were. Be sure to research the topic using at least two other resources outside of Esperanza Rising and cite your references.

 

  • The essay should be 1-2 pages and must include at least 7 vocabulary terms (have students underline the vocabulary words within their essays).

 

3. Promoting Environmental Awareness (Citizen Action Lesson)

 

Grade: 7-8

 

Subject: Social Studies

 

Objective:

 

  • Students will select an environmental issue and create a poster designed to educate others on not only what the problem is but how to potentially solve it.

 

Materials:

 

  • Internet Connection

 

  • Poster Boards

 

Procedure:

 

Place students into groups of 3-4. Send them to Wikipedia's List of Environmental Issues to explore and select one environmental issue as their topic. Be sure that no groups are researching the same topic. Once each group has selected a topic, they will be challenged to create a poster that will be hung in the school or community that effectively educates the public about the issue, addresses why they should be concerned, and then offers a list of practical ways in which one can help to alleviate the effects of the problem. In other words, the 3 key elements of their posters must address are:

 

  • This is the problem. . . (define the problem)

 

  • This is why it is a problem. . . (collect the data)

 

  • Now here is a list of practical things you can do to alleviate the problem. . . donating money doesn't count. People are more likely to take action if it is free and isn't too inconvenient. Be creative and think of realistic and practical solutions a person can take in their own lives. . . (propose a solution)

 

Assessment

 

 

  • Requirements - Does the poster address the 3 elements as stated above and reference at least 2 sources? (20 possible pts.)

 

  • Appearance - Does the poster look professional? (14 possible pts.)

 

  • Total of 40 points 

 

Now head back to the Lesson Ideas page, or go directly to Hard Times In The Migrant Labor Camps.

 

 

 

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