Hurricane Katrina and its Aftermath - a Curriculum

 

Watch these three PowerPoint presentations on designing a unit based on Hurricane Katrina.

We wish to acknowledge that this video series focuses on the disaster in New Orleans.  We do not wish to imply that people in Mississippi and Alabama did not  suffer enormous devastation in Hurricane Katrina - loss of life, loss of loved ones, loss of property.  We were there in Mississippi.  See our page We Are There, which will soon have an update and photos.

Please allow a minute or two for the PPT to download;  it is well worth the wait!

Hurricane Katrina Part I -  this slide show introduces the theme of Hurricane Katrina as a meaningful, extremely important, real-life theme for delivering the curriculum. 

Hurricane Katrina Part II - in this section you will see some of the Big Question we have developed for this unit.  These Big Questions guide student research and cause a need for the information, the skills, and knowledge of the disciplines.  We also have examples of ways to teach multiple literacies for the 21st century in this unit, and a brief discussion of critical pedagogy and social issues.

Hurricane Katrina Part III -  this is where you will see examples of many connections to the disciplines, starter lists for resources, and a brief outline of the brainstorming a theme process.

By the time Hurricane Katrina hit I knew that this would be an important theme for the classroom.  Within a couple of days, as we witnessed the growing horrors, I knew it would be imperative.  This unit is appropriate and adaptable to any grade level, from PreK through PhD.

I began by brainstorming what could be done with the theme.  What disciplines were relevant?  What kinds of projects could students do that were rigorous and relevant?  The unit had to have certain critical attributes, the top three being that it was integrated, interdisciplinary and project-based. 

The PowerPoint presentations above offer some ideas, and though what we have here is enough to keep anyone busy for years, we also know that much more can be added.  I believe you will enjoy taking a look at these ideas and suggestions.

For ease of use (due to large file size) we have divided the Hurricane Katrina PowerPoint into three parts.  Please view all of them!