Out of the Dust Novel Study for Special Education with chapter questions

Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse is the focus of this novel unit for students with autism and special learning needs. This book won the Newberry Medal in 1998. Have you ever wanted to read a novel to your special education students but thought, there is no way they will sit and listen? Persevere, it is worth it!! This 160 page unit on the novel, Out of the Dust is designed for students who have significant disabilities and special learning needs. I was always reading a novel to my students, regardless of their learning level. The lesson of learning to sit while someone is talking is an invaluable skill that is worthwhile teaching.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS NOVEL STUDY DOES NOT INCLUDE AN ADAPTED VERSION OF THE NOVEL.  YOU WILL NEED YOUR OWN COPY OF THE NOVEL TO READ ALOUD.  I USED THE UNABRIDGED VERSION, BUT THE ACTIVITIES WILL WORK WITH ANY ADAPTED VERSION YOU MAY HAVE.

This unit has various activities to accompany Hesse’s book, Out of the Dust. The materials were designed to allow students with multiple levels of learning to access and engage in lessons learned through listening to this novel. There are many opportunities for students to engage in repeated information as they listen to this story that takes place in the 1930s in Oklahoma’s Dust Bowl during the Great Depression. A girl’s ability to survive so many hardships, one being the incredible dust storms, will inspire your students and brings this time period to life. This repetition encourages deeper engagement of the book. Finally, many of the activities include more than one version, suggestions for differentiation, and options for presentation. There are 25 different activities to keep students engaged while you read this novel aloud.

There are 2 complete files to go with this unit. One is in color and one is in BW.

This unit has 5-10 multiple choice comprehension questions for every season. Each question has 3 picture answer choices. An answer key is included.

______________________________________________

For more resources on this time period, check these out:

• Great Depression Unit
• Echo Mountain novel study

______________________________________________

See preview for the table of contents and a detailed look at what is included.

*****************************************************************************

Out of the Dust Novel Unit Includes:

• 64 pages (2 sets; one in color one in BW) of activities to accompany Out of the Dust
• Table of Contents
• Suggestions for Use and Suggestions for Differentiation for activities
• 25 activities
• 5-10 multiple-choice questions for every season
• Answer key

*****************************************************************************

There are so many benefits to reading out loud to your students. You will teach them an invaluable skill of learning to sit still while someone else is talking. Your parents will also LOVE you for not only teaching them this skill of sitting but also for exposing them to age-appropriate material. Plus, you never know which students you will touch with each story you read.

♥As always please take a moment to leave feedback or post any questions you may have. Remember, you will gain credit toward future purchases on tpt as you leave more and more feedback!!

♥I am currently developing more units, and any feedback I get helps me make improvements in the future.

I also have a blog post on reading novels to a low incidence class that includes some FREE SAMPLES:

Reading Novels to a Low Incidence Class