West with Giraffes

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What makes a zoo different from a circus? What are some benefits and drawbacks of zoos for both humans and animals? In what ways might a place that cages wild animals be considered humane or inhumane?

Teaching Suggestion: These questions can be used to activate students’ prior knowledge about zoos and animal welfare, which are key ideas in the text. After reading and/or discussing the following sources, you might reframe the questions to support a debate. This may encourage discussion and student engagement while raising important questions about related topics.  

• This website provides a behind-the-scenes view of the Depression Era carnival and circus.
• This article from the San Diego History Center explores the history of the San Diego zoo, including commentary regarding its vision for habitat immersion and conservation.

2. What was the Dustbowl? What caused this phenomenon, and what environmental and social upheaval did it create? How did it affect Americans in different parts of the country?

Teaching Suggestion: These questions are best used as either discussion or written responses after viewing the film linked below, Colorado Experience: The Dust Bowl. This video contains important background information and may help students develop a stronger understanding of historical events in the text. While viewing, it may be helpful to include subtitles and to pause the film once or twice so students can take notes.

• This short film includes commentary from historians and eyewitness accounts of the Dustbowl and its impact on Colorado communities.  

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

Write about an animal that has made a positive impact on your life. You may write a story that illustrates your bond and connection, or you may choose to examine your relationship in a personal essay. When you are done, reflect on the following: Why do you think animals enrich human lives?

Teaching Suggestion: This prompt works best as an individual writing assignment. To make this prompt more inclusive, consider encouraging students to think of experiences with animals outside of family pets, such wildlife, a class pet, or a favorite zoo animal. Students may appreciate the opportunity to share their stories and/or thoughts on the reflection question afterward.

Differentiation Suggestion: Due to the open-ended nature of the prompt, students with organizational or executive functioning differences may benefit from graphic organizers, leading questions, or oral responses. It may also help to provide a model outline or word limit, depending on student needs.