Rising from the Dust: Learning about Natural Disasters Using the Novel, Esperanza Rising

GeoLiteracy
GeoSTEM
ELL
Lesson Plan Content
Description: 
In this lesson, students will explore the causes and effects of a natural disaster. Students will record on a graphic organizer the causes and effects of a dust storm. Students then will work in small groups to apply what they learned using the novel, Esperanza Rising. The end product will be a cause-and-effect brochure explaining an arid zone, a drought, and the Dust Bowl. This lesson includes strategies for diverse learners (ELLs).
Author: 
Amber S. Amaya
Grade Range: 
5
Duration: 
4 class periods
Lesson Materials
Teacher Instructions: 
application/pdf iconTeacher Instructions
Student Materials: 
application/pdf iconStudent Worksheets, Assessments, and Answer Keys
application/vnd.ms-powerpoint icon Looking at The Dust Bowl as a Social Scientist PowerPoint
application/vnd.ms-powerpoint icon Setting the Scene PowerPoint
application/pdf iconPhysical Regions of the U.S. map
image/jpeg iconDryland Climates of North America map from Meig’s Maps of Arid and Semiarid Regions
Supplemental Files: 
image/jpeg iconStudent Example of Map Activity
image/jpeg iconStudent Example of Cause and Effect Graphic Organizer
Materials to Assist Teachers and English Language Learners: 
application/pdf iconVocabulary Cards
application/pdf iconVocabulary Test
Standards
National Geography Standards: 
14: How human actions modify the physical environment
15: How physical systems affect human systems