Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath is a major, ongoing, historical event.  We know that this event is impacting everyone in the United States, especially, our students.  The enormity of this event has overwhelmed everyone – from our highest government officials, to state and local government officials, organizations providing assistance (such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army), the reporters covering the stories, the victims, and all the citizens of this country.  The impact is physical, emotional, political and financial. 

This event will have far-reaching impact on all the citizens of the United States.  It will impact every facet of our lives.  There will be mental health issues for our students due to their feelings about what is happening now and to the financial stresses we all will feel.  Classrooms will have even greater stresses as we incorporate the thousands of displaced students into our already overcrowded schools and classrooms.  At least 400,000 have lost their jobs – the places they worked no longer exist.  Many have lost their homes. 

How do we help our students deal with this catastrophic event?  How can we help them avoid or overcome the overwhelming sense of powerlessness that so many are experiencing?  What can our students do to help? 

Sample concept-map brainstorming ideas for this unit.

Critical Attributes of a 21st century curriculum.

Content Standards for this unit.

Big Questions - these are the questions the students seek to answer through their exploration and research.  This exploration leads them into the disciplines (content standards and skills) which they require in order to answer the questions.

Service-Learning Projects for Hurricane Katrina Victims  -  these may be adapted to your particular situation, and may be the vehicle for delivering the curriculum in the regular school day, or may be used as an After-School Program.

Survival - disaster preparedness.

See also, Hurricane Katrina - How Educators Can Respond

We Are There - read reports of our personnel from 21st Century Schools who are in the Hurricane Katrina disaster zone lending help.

Online resources for your Hurricane Unit