End of Book Assignment

*Next week you will be making a project about Out of the Dust.  Below are some options, but get creative!  Let me know if you think of something not on this list!

Make a movie/presentation about:

- An explanation of the history of the Dust Bowl (why did it happen, what were the effects, where did it happen, who was involved, etc)
- A summary of the book in words and pictures (what was the setting, characters, problem, major events, and solution?)
- A movie trailer advertising what the movie would be like if this book would be turned into a movie (who would be the actors? what snippets would they show to get people interested?)
- An explanation of the Great Depression (why did it happen, what were the effects, where did it happen, who was involved, etc)

You can use Windows Movie Maker or Animoto for a movie or PowerPoint, SMART notebook, or Prezi for a presentation.

To log into Animoto, you can make your own account OR go to:
https://animoto.com/sign_in
e-mail:   classroomfarnsworth+(student number)@gmail.com
password:  vanallen

You could also:
- Create a board game based on the book.
- Create a diorama showing a scene from the book.
- Make a tri-fold board trying to convince friends to read the book.
- Write your own collection of poems (maybe an alternate ending? or about a different type of severe weather)

Summer and Autumn 1935

1.Do you like the poem "Music"? Explain why or why not you like it.



2.What does Billy Joe compare her and her dad to, on what page did you find your answer on.



3.Why do you think the poem "The Dream" has the words like that. Describe what happen in that poem. Piper


4. Does Billy Joe's Dad Get With Someone IF so Does Billy Jo Like The someone?

5.What is "Not EveryWhere" about? What page is it on? Does Billy Jo seem to like Louise? Riley.

6. In the Poem "Out of the Dust" what is she thinking about and how does she feel? -Kiernan

Spring 1935

**Pick your favorite poem and be ready to read aloud in group!  Please try not to repeat a question!

Q1 - What physical problem has shown up on Daddy?  Why is Billie Jo worried?  What do you think it is?

Q2 - What happens at the school and to some boxcars that frightens Billie Jo?  Why do you think that scared her?

Q3 - Who invited Billie Jo to live with her?  Would you go if you were her?  Do you think she will go?
Why do you think Dad says, "wait and see"?

Q4 - Blankets of Black describes another dust storm.  What words and phrases helped you visualize what it was like?  Find a video of a dust storm from the internet and put the link on your comment so others can see what it would have been like.

Q5 - What is "Hope" about?  What does she compare the rain to?  Does this hope last throughout the chapter?  Why or why not?

Q6 - What happened in "Old Bones"?  Is that a true or made up story? (Use the internet to find out!)

Autumn 1934 and Winter 1935

** Pick one of the poems from these two chapters to read aloud for the group.  Practice it and make it sound smooth!

Q1 - What new things does daddy begin doing in this section?
Q2 - Why do you think Billie Jo can't bear to play her mother's piano? Would you feel the same or differently?
Q3 - What is "Outlined in Dust" about?  What do you learn in it about Billie and her relationship with Daddy?
Q4 - Find a few examples of similies or metaphors and write them down.  Tell what page you found them on!
Q5 - Explain the big dust storm.  What happened?  What were you picturing?
Q6 - Explain "The Path of our Sorrow."  What is that poem about?  What does it teach you about?

Summer 1934

1. On page 58 - 59, how does the family show compassion for others in need? Are there any other places in the chapter that do that?

2. Explain the accident.  What happened?  Was it someone's fault?  If so, whose?

3. What does the dad do after the accident?  Why do you think so?  Do you think that was ok?

4. What happened in the chapter "Blame"?  Why was it called that?

5. Why is dad digging a hole?  What does Billy think of that?  What does the hole represent?

6. What were the historical references in this chapter? (What events are actually true?) Why do you think the author did that?  Do you think that actually happened?

Spring 1934

EVERYONE:
Watch the video to see how bad rabbits were in some places:Rabbit drives link
Watch the video to see what a dust storm was like: dust storm link
**When you answer your question, also respond to the videos.  What did you think or learn?  

1. What was happening in the chapter "Tested by Dust"?  Why did that title have a double meaning?

2. What are Ma's suggestions to Pa about the wheat not growing?

3. Why was the rain on p. 46 - "no blessing"?

4. What war are they talking about in "World War"?  How does Billie Jo compare the war and dust storms?

5. On page 46, what does it mean "Who fared better?"

6. Why does Ma let Billy Jo go on the road with Arley?

Winter 1934

For each chapter (season and year), select at least one question to answer.  Use complete sentences.

Similes and metaphors are figurative language that are used widely, especially in poetry.  A simile compares two things using "like" or "as" and a metaphor compares two things by stating one this IS something else.

1. Find two examples of similes or metaphors.  Write them out in your response and someone else can comment on whether your examples are similes or metaphors or both.

2. Onomatopoeia is another form of figurative language.  This is naming something by a vocal imitation of the sound.  For example, a dog would say "woof woof."  Find two exampels of onomatopoeia (hint - look in State Tests and Fields of Flashing)

3. The author uses very few words, but still manages to tell a lot about Billie Jo.  Write about her character:  Draw a picture or sketch using your descriptions.

4. Who is the president of the United States during this time? How do Billie Jo and the townspeople feel about him.

5. What type of person does Livie seem to be?  How can you tell?

6. What happens to the Killians after they leave to seek a better life?  Have they found what they are looking for?

7. The setting of this book is the Great Depression.  Research this and write a response that tells the group what it is and how it effected people.

8. Find two harder words we should clarify and discuss.  Mention the page number they were on and what you found the definitions to be.