Save hours of planning with this comprehensive, no-prep novel study unit for Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse. With 173 pages of standards-based materials, this resource includes everything you need to teach the novel—pre-reading activities, informational texts, comprehension questions, literary analysis, writing lessons, quizzes, assessments, and more. Designed to balance rigor with accessibility, this unit helps students deeply understand Hesse’s novel while building essential ELA skills.

Why Teachers Love It

• Over 170 pages of ready-to-use materials for a complete novel study
• Integrates literary analysis, writing, grammar, and informational texts
• Includes multiple cross-curricular articles to build historical and scientific context
• Flexible activities for whole-class, small-group, or independent learning
• Saves prep time with pre-made worksheets, rubrics, and answer keys

What’s Included

Pre-Reading & Context Activities

• Pre-Reading Ideas and Activities List
• Anticipation/Reaction Guide
• Author Biography with Questions (Karen Hesse)
• Vocabulary Lists (with and without definitions)
• List of Allusions and Terminology
• Note-Taking Graphic Organizers
• Informational Texts + Questions:
  • The Great Depression
  • America in the 1930s (Compare/Contrast)
  • Drought and Erosion
  • Dust Storms
  • The Dust Bowl
  • The Exodus
  • When Disasters Happen – Oklahoma
  • Genre: Historical Fiction and Free Verse Poetry

Literary Analysis Activities

• Inference with Textual Support
• Point of View
• Reading Poetry vs. Hearing Poetry
• Changing Styles
• Understanding Author’s Choice
• Identifying Theme

Vocabulary & Grammar Lessons

• Similes and Metaphors
• Context Clues
• Word Relationships
• Using a Thesaurus
• Denotation/Connotation
• Grammar Skills (including usage and style practice)

Writing Lessons & Skills Practice

• Narrative Writing
• Gathering Support for a Persuasive Piece
• Organizing Research
• Narratives Focused on Cause and Effect
• Narrative Techniques
• Compare and Contrast Texts
• Writing Poetry

Comprehension & Assessments

• 90 Chapter-Based Comprehension/Analysis Questions
• Mixed-Response Reading Quizzes
• Vocabulary Quizzes
• 50-Question Final Test (Multiple Choice & Short Response)
• 50-Question Multiple Choice Final Test
• Complete Answer Key

Post-Reading & Extras

• Post-Reading Ideas and Activities
• Essay Prompts and Creative Writing Ideas
• Sample Teacher Agenda
• Novel Summary
• Project, Presentation, and Writing Rubrics
• Teacher Notes

Why It Works
This resource functions as a complete, stand-alone literature unit for Out of the Dust. By combining close reading and literary analysis with writing, grammar, and historical/scientific context, it gives students a well-rounded understanding of both the novel and its time period. Every resource is designed for immediate classroom use, providing rigorous yet engaging learning opportunities while saving teachers valuable prep time.

Teacher Feedback
“I LOVED LOVED LOVED this resource!! The article was well written and the questions were great.” – Rikki R.

"Anything you could possibly need for a solid, rigorous novel study! If you’re teaching this novel and you purchase anything other than this, you’re wasting your money.” – Hammatt’s ELA Corner

“This provided an immense amount of resources, all very well organized and included great higher-level thinking.” – Katherine S.

“Jam-packed with super great resources! My students loved the introduction reading and chapter questions. I’ll use this again!” – Mallory H.

“Loved the background information and layout. Very easy to use and engaging.” – Carolyn P.

“Extremely helpful as an aid for our novel. Students enjoyed the pre-reading activities and section studies!” – Amanda W.