The Dust Bowl examines the worst man-made ecological disaster in American history documenting its causes and impact as well as the personal stories of survival and human endurance. The curriculum for The Dust Bowl explores these subjects through a wide range of classroom activities exploring history, public policy, economics and ecology. Carefully selected video segments from the series are integrated into the lesson activities to highlight subject matter themes and enhance student understanding of the historical period. In addition, The Dust Bowl lesson activities build students' academic and critical thinking skills and provide opportunities culminating projects such as documentaries, public forums, and digital storytelling. The Dust Bowl lessons are developed for grades 7-12 and adaptable to other grade levels. They are written in standard PBS lesson format, complete with teacher information (goals, standards, and background), opening or warm up activity(s), featured activity(s) with short video clips (5 to 15 minutes) and discussion questions, culminating activities with authentic assessment, evaluation rubrics, extension activities, and resources.

Lesson Plans Include:

• The Great Plow Up - The Economics of the Dust Bowl: Grade Level: 7-12 , Related Academic Subjects: U.S. History, Economics, Geography
• A Man-Made Ecological Disaster of Biblical Proportions Examining the Dust Bowl and Other Environmental Events: Grade Level: 7-12 Related Academic Subjects: U.S. History, Geography, Environmental Studies, 
• Journalism A New Deal Grade Level: 9-12 (lesson may be adapted for middle school students) Related Academic Subjects: US History; Government/Civics; Language Arts; 
• Earth Science Dust Bowl Blues: Analyzing the Songs of Woody Guthrie Grade Level: 7-12 Related Academic Subjects: U.S. History, Music History, Language Arts

Available November 2012.