Book Study: Out of the Dust Week 5

Time is flying by so quickly as we continue to explore the era of the Dust Bowl, Depression and the 1930's.  This week in our study, Karen Hesse mentions the Lindbergh baby and the Dionne Quintuplets.  We will discuss both events in detail.

Begin class discussion by reviewing study guide questions from Progeny Press study guide Spring 1935.

There are SO MANY opportunities for further education in this section.  A couple areas of further study could be, but are not limited to, are:

Skin Cancer: "Skin"
The Immigrants Who Settled in the Dust Bowl Area: "Migrants"
Black Sunday: "Blankets of Black"
Freak Show: "The Dionne Quintuplets"
Government Assistance to Farmers in Panhandle: "Help From Uncle Sam"
How Does Hope Affect Our Outlook: "Hope" & "Hope Smothered"
Dinosaurs of the Panhandle Area: "Old Bones"

I decided to focus our limited time on the history of the Lindbergh Kidnapping, The Dionne Quintuplets, and Black Sunday.

In the story the Lindbergh baby and baby Franklin are contrasted with the baby left in community.  I'm so impressed by the community in this book!  Even though they have little or nothing, they continue to give to those in need.  Discuss compassion and giving in this community.  Brainstorm ways students can also give.

One idea I came across is making pillowcase (homemade) dresses for an orphanage in Haiti sponsored by Art Projects for Kids.  As of today, I haven't done this project with our class, but we have done it here at home.  Here is our result:

Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping

During our limited class time we discussed the disappearance, media attention, and investigation of the kidnapped Lindbergh baby.  Interestingly enough, Norman Schwarzkopf Sr. was the lead investigator at the onset of the case.  This is a gruesome and disturbing piece of history.  My heart is so saddened for the Lindbergh family.  The story gripped the nation at the time as Charles Lindbergh was a hero of the era.  Depending on the age of your children and/or students you may need to limit the exposure to the information.

Here are some links for further reading on the case:

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/history/famous-cases/the-lindbergh-kidnapping/the-lindbergh-kidnapping

http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/famous/lindbergh/index_1.html

Dionne Quintuplets

We also spent class time learning about the Dionne Quintuplets.  After learning about them I continued to be awed at the fact that they were IDENTICAL quintuplets!  That's just downright amazing!  It is disturbing how they were treated as a "Freak Show."

I have to share the Dionne Quintuplets and I share the same birthday!  That made learning about them even more interesting!

Learn more about the quintuplets at:

http://www.quintland.com/

http://articles.cnn.com/1997-11-19/us/9711_19_dionne.quints_1_quints-emilie-and-marie-sisters?_s=PM:US

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dionne_quintuplets

http://particle.physics.ucdavis.edu/bios/Dionne.html

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/fts/wichita_200803A12.html

Black Sunday

Lastly we discussed Black Sunday.  Based on the photos of the era, like the people living through it, I would have thought it the Apocalypse.  The devastation occurring during the Dust Bowl reminds me so much of the plagues experienced in the Book of Exodus.  Ironically, the dust blackened the sun and blew all the way to Washington D.C.  Coincidentally, this was also time Hugh Hammond Bennett was testifying before Congress regarding Soil Conservation Legislation. The Soil Conservation Act was passed before year's end.

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/?n=blacksunday

http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1583.html

http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe30s/water_02.html

http://www.perryton.com/black.htm

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/?n=blacksunday

There's so much to learn, and so little time!  Until next week...Read On!