Out of the Dust and In To the 1930s

A WebQuest for Seventh Grade

In Communication Arts
Designed by
Carly Hibner
000147387@pirates.ncmissouri.edu

Webquest Teacher Pages

Introduction
This webquest is a performance-based task required for completion of ED275:
Technology for Teachers, a course offered in conjunction with the completion of the
Associate of Arts in Teaching transfer degree. This lesson is about The Dust Bowl (The
Dirty 30s) that devastated parts of the United States in the 1930s. The seventh grade
students will visit pre-selected websites to find answers to specific questions regarding
The Dust Bowl. The task assigned to students is following reading the book Out of the
Dust by Karen Hesse, they will conduct research about the actual Dust Bowl. The
students will then create a comparison board that on one side depicts the Dust Bowl
according to the book and the other side will have information and pictures of the real
Dust Bowl.
Learners
Anchored in seventh-grade communication arts Missouri Learning Standards and
focusing specifically on informational text, this webquest is the culminating activity in a
seventh grade unit on informational literature and text.
Before beginning the webquest, students need to know the following:
In terms of prior knowledge, the seventh grade students need to be able to define the
following terms based on the unit just completed: wagering, excavating, riled, stupor,
vicarage, conjuror, drought, irrigation, and Great Depression.
The students also need to know basic information about life in the 1930s and a general
idea of what the Dust Bowl is. In addition, the seventh grade students should also be
Adapted 1/24/13 from 63-410 WebQuest Template

able to identify factors contributing to the Dust Bowl. Students also need basic
computer and Internet skills in order to accomplish this WebQuest.
Missouri Learning Standards
Communication Arts:

Compare and contrast a fictional portrayal of time, place or

character with realistic accounts of the same subject matter.
Read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas,
and poems independently and proficiently.
Read and comprehend informational text independently and
proficiently.

MoSPE Standards addressed in this unit include:

Standard 2: Student Learning, Growth and Development
Quality indicator 4- Differentiated lesson design
Standard 3: Curriculum Implementation
Quality indicator 1- Implementation of curriculum standards
Quality indicator 3- Instructional goals and differentiated instructional
strategies
Standard 4: Critical Thinking
Quality indicator 1- Instructional strategies leading to student engagement
in problem solving and critical thinking
Standard 5: Positive Classroom Environment
Quality indicator 2- Management of time, space, transitions, and activities
In addition to the learning outcomes mentioned above, this webquest also helps
students develop the following thinking skills:
Critical thinking (evaluation):
As the seventh grade students complete this webquest, they will be utilizing their
critical thinking ability, as they will be required to make connections between the book
Out of the Dust and information presented from videos and websites about the actual
Dust Bowl. Furthermore, students will take into consideration that the book Out of the
Dust is a fictional interpretation of a historic event.
Creative Production:

Adapted 1/24/13 from 63-410 WebQuest Template

As a concluding activity for this specific webquest, the seventh students will be
responsible for creating a two-sided board (then and now board) and presenting their
boards to the class. Their boards will have accurate details from the book describing the
Dust Bowl and the boards will also contain pictures and factual information about the
event. Through this creative production, the students would also be referring to their
individual creativity and originality as they prepare their boards.
Process
To successfully complete this webquest, the allotted time required is expected to
take a total of five, fifty-five minute class periods to read the book as a class and three,
fifty-five class periods to research and construct their boards. The students will read the
book Out of the Dust as a class. Subsequently, the students will individually research
the Dust Bowl with the provided websites and video. After conducting thorough research
on the event, the students will be given a two sided board and supplies to decorate the
board. Each students board will include information about the books interpretation of
the dust bowl and the informational websites interpretations of the dust bowl. Their
board will include printed out text and pictures, color, and they must put their own
creative and unique abilities into their boards.
Modifications for Exceptional Learners
For students with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a checklist
outlining every task that must be completed in association with this Webquest will be
given to these students and any paraprofessionals working with these students to keep
them on task.
For students with behavioral disorders the teacher should create a safe place for
these students to work. They should create a positive working environment for these
students to work in to ensure these students are learning and working to the best of
their abilities.
For students with hearing impairments printed copies of the book will be
distributed to every student so these students can follow along while we read aloud or
listen to the audio version of the book.
For students with visual impairments, several copies of the book that are
distributed will be large print. These students will receive the copies that are large print.
In addition to this, we will also being reading aloud and listening to a lot of the book.
For students with developmental delays, the teacher should provide ideas for
these students to include on their posters and should ensure they are following along
and comprehending the reading. Furthermore, the teacher should make his or herself
available for assisting these students with this project.

Adapted 1/24/13 from 63-410 WebQuest Template

For students with orthopedic disorders, the classroom and any computer lab that
is utilized will be wheelchair accessible so these students can use desks and
computers. For the presentation of their boards, another student will hold their board as
they present it.
Resources Needed

Copies of the book, Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse (Normal copies and 5-10
large print copies)

Audio version of the book, Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse

Computer lab and internet access

Colored printer

Two sided poster boards

Markers, colored pencils, etc.

Pre-selected Internet websites include:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-rBhbkvtm0
This site is a link to a video that is a brief history overview of the Dust
Bowl. It discusses life during this time, events leading up to the Dust Bowl, the major
cause of the Dust Bowl and what farmers had to do during this time. This video is a
great, short summary of the Dust Bowl.
www.pbs.org/kenburns/dustbowl/
By utilizing this website during the unit covering the Dust Bowl, the
seventh grade students will not only learn more about life during the time of the Dust
Bowl, but also be able to watch videos on this site and use an interactive Dust Bowl that
helps students make choices that people would have had to make during this time and it
tells them what would have happened to them if they would have made those choices in
that time.
www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe30s/water_02.html
Through this website, students will gain a better understanding of what
farming was like back in this time. It gives a better summary and explanation of why the
Dust Bowl happened and what the farmers did to ensure it never happened again. It
also gives father detail into how much of a struggle it was for people living in this area at
that time.

Adapted 1/24/13 from 63-410 WebQuest Template

Evaluation
In completing this webquest, one instructor is all that is required. However,
students who miss a class period or have to finish working outside of class will have to
take things home to complete them. Support and guidance from parents of students in
this situation is encouraged and recommended. The students will have ample time in
class to utilize and evaluate the pre-selected websites.
The students will be evaluated on their ability to evaluate information about the
Dust Bowl and use that information to compare and contrast a fictional book that is
written about a family living during the time of the Dust Bowl. In addition, the students
will also be evaluated on their in-class participation and also the creativeness of their
poster boards they create.

Criterion

Exemplary (10)

Acceptable
(9-5)

Unsatisfactory
(4-0)

Individually, the
learner will be
actively
engaged in
group reading
and activities
surrounding
reading Out of
the Dust.

Was actively
engaged in the
reading,
followed along,
contributed to in
class
discussions

Was actively
engaged at
times, rarely
participated in
class
discussions

Was not actively

engaged in the
reading, did not
follow along,
little to no
participation in
class
discussions

The learner
spent their time
in the computer
lab using the
websites
provided for
them.

Used the time

wisely,
thoroughly
reviewed each
website
presented

Spent little time

researching with
the websites,
was distracted
at times

Did not visit the

websites
provided. Was
distracted and
not on task

The learners
poster
contained
accurate and
relevant
information
pertaining to the
book and the
actual event.

Poster
contained 5 or
more accurate
facts from the
book and 5 or
more accurate
facts from the
websites. All
information was
relevant

Poster
contained 3 or
more accurate
facts from the
book and 3 or
more accurate
facts from the
website. Most
information was
relevant

Poster
contained less
than 3 accurate
facts from the
book and less
than 3 accurate
facts from the
websites. Some
information was
not relevant

Adapted 1/24/13 from 63-410 WebQuest Template

Score

/10

/10

/10

The learners
poster
contained
photo(s) that
were printed in
color.

Poster
contained
multiple photos
in color

Poster
contained one
photo in color or
black and white

Poster
contained no
photos

The learners
poster board
was neat,
colorful, and
organized.

Poster was
organized, was
easily legible,
contained color,
and was
attention
grabbing

Poster was
somewhat
organized,
contained some
color, was
difficult to read

Poster was
disorganized,
had very little
use of color,
was unlegible

Total: 100

Conclusion
In completing this webquest, the seventh grade students will grasp a firm
understanding of what the Dust Bowl was and what life was like during this time in
American history. The students will have also channeled and put to use their own
unique and creative skills as they created their own poster boards.
Credits and References
Reading through History. History Brief: The Dust Bowl. (2015). Retrieved October 1,
2016 from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-rBhbkvtm0
PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. The Dust Bowl. (2012). Retrieved October 1, 2016, from
www.pbs.org/kenburns/dustbowl/
Wessels Living History Farm. Farming in the 1930s. (2003). Retrieved on October 1,
2016, from
www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe30s/water_02.html

Adapted 1/24/13 from 63-410 WebQuest Template

Out of the Dust and In To the 1930s

Student Pages
A Webquest for Seventh Grade
In Communication Arts
Designed by
Carly Hibner
000147387@ncmissouri.edu

Introduction
Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you grew up in a different
time period? Through this webquest, you are going to take a step back in time
and see what life was like in the 1930s during the Dust Bowl. This was a big
event that is part of American history and it is very interesting to read and learn
about. We are going to read a fictional book, Out of the Dust, which was written
about a family that lived during the time of the Dust Bowl. Then, we are going to
create a poster board that contains real information about the Dust Bowl and also
about the book.
The Task

Read/listen to the book Out of the Dust

Visit three (already chosen) websites about the Dust Bowl

Analyze these websites and compare them to the book

Create a poster board that compares and contrasts the book to the actual event

The Process
1 First, as a class, we will read and listen to the book Out of the Dust.
2 Keeping the book in mind, you will then visit three websites that are provided for
you that have to do with the Dust Bowl.
3 You will have a compare/contrast graphic organizer to help you gather
information.
4 Once all of your information is gathered, the creative processes will begin.

Adapted 1/24/13 from 63-410 WebQuest Template

5 With the information you find, you will create a board that shows information from
the book and information from the websites.
6 Your poster board must be creative, legible, organized, colorful, and unique!
7 You will turn in your poster board on the specified day.
You will be responsible for visiting the pre-selected websites. Here are the websites
you are allowed to visit during this webquest:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-rBhbkvtm0
www.pbs.org/kenburns/dustbowl/
www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe30s/water_02.html

The following checklist is highly encouraged for you to use as you complete the
tasks included within this webquest.
__ Read the book Out of the Dust
__ Visit all three websites to collect information
__ Write down two or three facts you learn from each website
__ Once you have evaluated all three websites, begin your work on your board
__ Put together a board that shows information about the book and the actual event
__ Make the board neat, organized, colorful, legible, and unique
Evaluation
Individually, you will be evaluated on your participating in the class reading and
discussions. You will also be evaluated on your research process. Individually, you will
also be evaluated on the information, organization, and uniqueness of the poster board
you create about the book and the actual event.

Here is a template for the scoring rubric:

Criterion

Exemplary (10)

Acceptable
(9-5)

Adapted 1/24/13 from 63-410 WebQuest Template

Unsatisfactory
(4-0)

Score

Individually, the
learner will be
actively engaged
in group reading
and activities
surrounding
reading Out of
the Dust.

Was actively
engaged in the
reading, followed
along,
contributed to in
class
discussions

Was actively
engaged at
times, rarely
participated in
class
discussions

Was not actively

engaged in the
reading, did not
follow along, little
to no
participation in
class
discussions

The learner
spent their time
in the computer
lab using the
websites
provided for
them.

Used the time

wisely,
thoroughly
reviewed each
website
presented

Spent little time

researching with
the websites,
was distracted at
times

Did not visit the

websites
provided. Was
distracted and
not on task

The learners
poster contained
accurate and
relevant
information
pertaining to the
book and the
actual event.

Poster contained
5 or more
accurate facts
from the book
and 5 or more
accurate facts
from the
websites. All
information was
relevant

Poster contained
3 or more
accurate facts
from the book
and 3 or more
accurate facts
from the website.
Most information
was relevant

Poster contained
less than 3
accurate facts
from the book
and less than 3
accurate facts
from the
websites. Some
information was
not relevant

The learners
poster contained
photo(s) that
were printed in
color.

Poster contained
multiple photos
in color

Poster contained
one photo in
color or black
and white

Poster contained
no photos

The learners
poster board was
neat, colorful,
and organized.

Poster was
organized, was
easily legible,
contained color,
and was
attention
grabbing

Poster was
somewhat
organized,
contained some
color, was
difficult to read

Poster was
disorganized,
had very little
use of color, was
illegible

/10

/10

/10

Total: 100

Conclusion
In completing this webquest you will grasp a firm understanding of what the Dust Bowl
was and what life was like during this time in American history. You will also have the

Adapted 1/24/13 from 63-410 WebQuest Template

chance to channel and put to use your own unique and creative skills as you created
your own poster boards.
Credits and References
Reading through History. History Brief: The Dust Bowl. (2015). Retrieved October 1,
2016 from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-rBhbkvtm0
PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. The Dust Bowl. (2012). Retrieved October 1, 2016, from
www.pbs.org/kenburns/dustbowl/
Wessels Living History Farm. Farming in the 1930s. (2003). Retrieved on October 1,
2016, from
www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe30s/water_02.html

Adapted 1/24/13 from 63-410 WebQuest Template