By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
Photographer: COURTESY
Sixth graders at Mary Help of Christians School recreated the conditions that made the Dust Bowl possible after reading a historical novel on that time period in American history.
PARKLAND | Since seeing is believing— and also learning — sixth graders at Mary Help of Christians School wrapped up a language arts lesson by recreating the Dust Bowl.
After reading the historical fiction novel "Out of the Dust," which takes place in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, students created a Dust Bowl model that demonstrated how this catastrophe happened. They also researched the New Deal programs that were created during the Depression.
The themes of the novel, written by Karen Hesse, are forgiveness, family, and the environment. Hesse's writing conveys the power of the human spirit to endure and transcend the pain that accompanies adversity and tragedy.
"Interactive projects engage students in their education, which has been linked to greater academic success and greater academic achievements," said Alexandra Fernandez, Mary Help of Christians' principal. "Most importantly, the students had a fun time exploring."
