Agricultural WebQuest

The Dust Bowl came about when a terrible combination of drought and economic changes converged in the 1930's all across the Midwest. This WebQuest takes students on a Dust Bowl Journey through some outstanding websites. Some of the websites contain not only written information and photos from the Dust Bowl days, but they also contain fascinating interviews with people who actually lived through this trying time. Students are encouraged to interview someone who lived on a farm during the 1930's. Perhaps a great grandparent could be interviewed by a few of your students.

Competency	7 pts.	5 pts.	2 pts.	0 pts.
PowerPoint	Shows understanding of Dust Bowl. Includes at least 8 slides with graphics.	Shows some understanding of Dust Bowl. Includes at least 6 slides and 6 with graphics.	Little understanding of Dust Bowl. Includes 4 slides and 4 graphics.	Incomplete. Less than 4 slides and 4 graphics
Tall Tales	Well written. Follows instructions and few spelling and grammatical errors. Shows creativity.	Follows most instructions. Contains some spelling and grammatical errors. Shows some creativity.	Follows some instructions. Contains many spelling and grammatical errors. Shows little creativity.	No attempt.
Interviews	Provides a list of 10 questions prior to the interview. Provides answers for each question after the interview.	Provides a list of 8 questions prior to the interview. Provides answers for each question after the interview.	Provides a list of 6 questions prior to the interview. Provides answers for each question after the interview.	Provides a list of fewer than 6 questions prior to the interview. Few answers after the interview.

You might consider inviting some senior citizens in your community who experienced life during Dust Bowl years. Ones who lived in the rural Midwest will probably have the best stories to tell. Perhaps one of your students has great grandparents that they could invite.

This page was developed by Lyndon and Barbara Irwin and is maintained by Missouri Farm Bureau.

Please address questions to Diane Olson at Missouri Farm Bureau or Dr. Lyndon Irwin at Missouri State University.