Karen Hesse
Lesson plans for Out of the Dust and other works

|Biography and Background| |Aleutian Sparrow| |The Cats in Krasinski Square| |Come on, Rain! |Letters from Rifka| |The Music of Dolphins| |Out of the Dust| |A Time of Angels| |Witness|

Biography and Background

Karen Hesse
An interview.

Aleutian Sparrow

Aleutian Sparrow
Summary, discussion questions, and postreading activities.

The Cats in Krasinski Square

The Cats in Krasinski Square
Summary, 4 discussion questions, 3 postreading activities, related titles.

Come on, Rain!

Supporting Vocabulary Development with EASE
Students learn 10 vocabulary words using graphic organizers, similes, and more. This lesson uses Come on, Rain! but could also be used with other titles.

Letters from Rifka

Letters from Rifka
This 7-page document includes discussion questions, key quotations, and ideas for writing and projects. Adobe Reader or compatible application required for access.

Letters from Rifka
These lessons emphasize social studies skills.

Letters from Rifka
Summary, themes, extension activities, author information, related titles.

The Music of Dolphins

The Music of Dolphins
Summary, 10 discussion questions, and suggested activities.

Out of the Dust

Out of the Dust:

• Overview
• Weeks 1-3
• Weeks 4-6
• Extras

Out of the Dust
Three activities related to the book.

Out of the Dust
Summary, discussion topics and activities from Carol Hurst.

Out of the Dust
A variety of pre-, during-, and post-reading activities.

Out of the Dust
Use the links under "Related Resources" to access a discussion guide, writing prompt, vocabulary practice, and information about the author.

Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
Summary and links to related sites.

Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
In this WebQuest students select a journal entry from the book and use it to create a newspaper for the date given in the selected journal. Designed for fifth graders.

Questions on Books studied in YA and Children's Literature Classes
Ten questions related to Out of the Dust.

Visions In the Dust: A Child's Perspective of the Dust Bowl
Students use primary materials and Out of the Dust to explore the Dust Bowl experience.

A Time of Angels

A Time of Angels
This 5-page document includes questions for discussion, key quotations, and ideas for writing and projects. Access requires Adobe Reader or compatible application.

Witness

Witness
Summary and 9 discussion questions.

Witness
Summary, discussion questions, author interview, and related titles.

Witness
Synopsis, 4 discussion questions, and 5 activity ideas.