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Eroded land, eroded lives: Agriculture and The Grapes of Wrath (lesson 1 of 10)

This description is of only the first lesson in the unit, to be taught before students read the novel; thus, its primary purpose is to put this novel in historical context. Toward that end, students will learn about the (unintentional) abuse of soil that allowed the Dust Bowl to be so devastating and extensive. They will also see photographs by Dorothea Lange and others depicting the wasted land and subsequent wasted dreams of thousands.

Format: lesson plan (grade 11–12 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

By Annie Henry.

Alternative discussion formats: A public relations campaign

In Alternative discussion formats, page 4

By creating a PR campaign for a historial or literary figure, students can practice a wide range of thinking skills.

By Kathryn Walbert.

Resources on the web

Designing museum exhibits for “The Grapes of Wrath”: A multigenre project

In this lesson, students read The Grapes of Wrath and create multigenre projects that explore issues from the Depression era. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 11 English Language Arts)

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Weedpatch Camp

Information on Arvin Federal Government Camp, the migrant camp on which John Steinbeck based his 1939 novel The Grapes of Wrath, can be found on this site. There are images of the camp and personal reminiscences of those who lived through that... (Learn more)

Format: website/general

Provided by: Dust Bowl Historical Foundation

North American Drought: A Paleo Perspective

This website contains information about drought and focuses on North America. How drought is defined, why it causes concern, the history of 20th Century drought, and how paleoclimatology is related to drought are explored in this site. Discover how nature... (Learn more)

Format: website/general

Provided by: NOAA Paleoclimatology Program