To better understand the migrant experience during the Great Depression, pupils analyze two primary resources: photographs by Dorothea Lange and a U.S. Map that shows the Dust Bowl. They compare and contrast Lange's images to Steinbeck's works. Using these, a U.S. map, and a newspaper article from 1937, they discuss their findings and write their responses.

Concepts

compare and contrast, john steinbeck, the great depression, the grapes of wrath

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Additional Tags

great depression, dorothea lange photographs, john steinbeck, us history in art, compare and contrast, Informational Text, perspective, social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Use the lesson to launch a study of The Grapes of Wrath 
• Have groups research the treatment of farm workers during this period to their treatment today

Classroom Considerations

• Requires additional prep time to prepare and copy materials

Pros

• The materials provide readers with a visual context of the devastation of the Dust Bowl
• Includes worksheets, a comparison rubric, and suggested extensions for the initial assignment.
  

Cons

• None

Common Core

RI.9-10.1 RI.9-10.2 RI.11-12.1 RI.11-12.2 W.9-10.2.a W.9-10.4 W.11-12.2.a W.11-12.4 SL.9-10.1.a SL.11-12.1.a