The Great Depression

What can we learn about ourselves by studying the past? In this next unit, you will explore the use of historical fiction as the vehicle for providing the human element to historic events. In the very beginning of Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse you will learn through the eyes of Billie Jo Kelby (the protagonist, or main character) about what it was like to live in the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Today you will examine some primary source documents to establish the setting of the novel.

The following web sites show pictures of what life was like during the 1930's. Click on the following links and answer the following questions:

What image 'speaks' to you? Why?

If every picture tells a story, what story do these photographs tell?

Our story takes place during the same time these pictures were taken, predict how this setting might affect the events in the story.

After looking at these pictures, write down three questions you now have?

Man standing washing up looking for work

Farm for sale mmm...soup! some people had to live in these

On the road family portrait home sweet tent

	What image 'speaks' to you? Why?
	If every picture tells a story, what story do these photographs tell?
	Our story takes place during the same time these pictures were taken, predict how this setting might affect the events in the story.
	After looking at these pictures, write down three questions you now have?