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Dorothea Lange: Photos of the Dust Bowl — Reading Comprehension

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D2.HIS.2.3-5
D2.HIS.3.3-5
RI.4.3
RI.4.4
W.4.2

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This reading passage introduces students to the important work of Dorothea Lange, a photographer during the Great Depression. The text describes how her photos helped people understand the struggles of American families during hard times. Students will learn about the causes and effects of the Great Depression, the lives of migrant workers, and how photos can help bring change. The passage uses simple language, includes a glossary, and highlights key historical facts. Activities include a multiple-choice quiz, writing questions, a timeline, and a graphic organizer. Also included are a read aloud audio and a Spanish translation for accessibility. This resource is aligned to C3 history and Common Core standards to support social studies and literacy learning. Keywords include Dorothea Lange, Great Depression, photography, migrant workers, U.S. history, and Dust Bowl.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Migrant mother and children - California

Dorothea Lange was a photographer during the Great Depression in the United States. She used her camera to tell true stories about the lives of people who were suffering during hard times. One of the hardest times was called the Dust Bowl. This was when huge dust storms destroyed farms in the Midwest. Crops died, and many families lost their homes and jobs.

Lange traveled to areas hit by the Dust Bowl. She saw people struggling to survive. Many families became migrant workers. They had to move from place to place to find work picking fruits and vegetables. These families lived in poor camps and had little food. Their faces showed sadness and strength.

Using her camera, Dorothea Lange took powerful photos of these families. Her photos did not just show what people looked like. They also showed their feelings and struggles. One of her most famous pictures is of a worried mother with her children. The photo made many Americans feel sad for the family and want to help.

Lange’s work is called documentary photography. This kind of photography shows real events and real people. It helps others understand problems by letting them see what is happening. Through her pictures, Lange was able to tell stories without using words.

Her photos were published in newspapers and magazines. People across the country saw them. The government also saw them, and leaders realized that something needed to be done to help these families. In this way, Lange’s photos led to more support and aid for migrant workers and their children.

Lange showed that pictures are a powerful way to share history. She helped the country see the truth about poverty and hardship. Her work inspired other photographers to use cameras to help people understand important issues.

Interesting Fact: Dorothea Lange’s “Migrant Mother” photo is one of the most famous images in American history, and it still helps people learn about the Dust Bowl today.

Who was Dorothea Lange?

A photographerA doctorA teacherA farmer

What was the Dust Bowl?

A dust storm disasterA big cityA famous photoA new law

What did migrant workers do?

Picked cropsBuilt housesDrove trucksSold food

Why did Lange take photos of families?

To show sufferingTo become richTo sell camerasTo draw pictures

How did Lange’s photos help?

They made people careThey sold newspapersThey caused more stormsThey ended poverty

What did the government do after the photos?

Gave more helpIgnored the problemClosed schoolsMoved families