Researchers benefit from arranging information with graphic organizers, such as timelines or sequencing charts. Depending on the kind of information, researchers can choose from a variety of graphic organizers. You are going to read about two events in US history. You will then choose a different graphic organizer for each event to chart out the information you read. Choose and read about any two of the following events in US history: Industrial Revolution, World War I, World War II, or the Dust Bowl. For each event you chose, create one of the graphic organizers listed in the lesson (sequence chart, cause and effect, compare and contrast, categorizing, or timeline) to organize the information presented in each article. Use a different graphic organizer for each of the two chosen topics. Pay attention to what information is presented to choose the best graphic organizer for each topic. Blank organizer templates can be found online.

World War II – Cause and Effect

Cause

Japan is dependent on foreign imports. Japan seeks to defeat the US Navy in the Pacific and attacks Pearl Harbor. Germany conquers much of Europe and seeks to control the Soviet Union.

Effect

Japan attacks China to claim the resource-rich area of Manchuria.  The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor draws the United States into the war.  Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union opens a two-front war that ultimately leads to Germany’s defeat.

Dust Bowl – Categorizing Information

Natural Landscape

The Great Plains had tall grassland that could be farmed. The landscape was semi-arid and delicate. The dry region occasionally dealt with droughts.

Drought

Over-farming caused soil deterioration. Removal of natural grasses caused erosion of soil. Soil destruction increased the severity of droughts.

Human Geography

Farmers traveled to the Great Plains region after 1860 and the Homestead Act.  The landscape could be difficult to farm, but some farmers succeeded.  Erosion and drought caused farmers to lose their crops and livelihood, forcing farmers to migrate.