In tenth grade English, we read The Grapes of Wrath. We made a wall map of the American Southwest and marked the progress of the Joad family from the Dust Bowl to California. The students had adopted the last name “Joad” soon into the novel, so all were Joads and identified with the generous but long-suffering family. In class they addressed each other in full names such as “Travis Joad” and “Debbie Joad.” When the reading and writing was done, small teams of Joads gathered around a workbench in the front of the classroom, each group ready to take turns at replacing the connecting rod or “con rod” – in record time. Some in overalls, some in ragged denim and cowboy boots. Most had hats or ball caps of various descriptions.

This was hands-on learning time.