Hurricane Katrina Part II

Big Questions? These are the questions students seek to answer. The Big Questions guide student research. The Big Questions create the need for the disciplines. Students need the information, skills and knowledge of the disciplines in order to answer their Big Questions.

What is a hurricane? How are hurricanes formed and sustained?

Why is New Orleans an important city? History of New Orleans Economics – industries, Port of New Orleans Culture - religions, languages, music, food, ethnicity/race, arts, architecture...

Why did New Orleans flood? Scientific studies - geographical, climatological and geological facts Government action and inaction Economics

What are the environmental issues? Flood control EPA - Pollution – toxic floodwaters Coastal erosion Fossil Fuels Global Warming Natural resources Waterways Wildlife and fisheries Agriculture, fishing, shrimping, oyster beds

What are the social issues? Race Class Age Ability How can we end poverty? What will be the impact of the largest displacement of people in U.S. since the Civil War?

Critical Pedagogy “Critical pedagogy considers how education can provide individuals with the tools to better themselves and strengthen democracy, to create a more egalitarian and just society, and thus to deploy education in a process of progressive social change”. Douglas Kellner, UCLA We ask the following questions:

Critical Pedagogy asks... What is the current state of affairs? What are the sociohistorical contexts – i.e., how and why did things get this way? Learn about Critical Pedagogy at

How could - and should - things be? What can we do to get from here to there? How can we make this world a better, happier place? What specific actions can we take to effect this desired change?

Critical Pedagogy and Hurricane Katrina Examining issues of the environment, the role of government, the accountability of government, issues of poverty, race, class, ability, the media... How could this happen? Who got left behind? What can we do about it?

Ageism Discrimination based on age, especially prejudice against the elderly.

Ableism Discrimination or prejudice against people with disabilities, especially physical disabilities.

Racism 1.The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others. 2.Discrimination or prejudice based on race.

Classism Bias based on social or economic class.

How can we help?

What are the Possibilities and Hope that can come out of Hurricane Katrina?

Multiple Literacies for the 21 st Century Connections

Visual Literacy Photo essays, documentaries, flow charts, graphic organizers, photography, video, web sites, clip art, photos, drawings, works of art,....

Aural Literacy Incorporating speech, music, song, and sound effects into products. Analyze, evaluate, critique and produce aural messages.

More Aural Literacy Critically listening to: News reports on television and radio Politicians statements Opinion pieces Fact vs. Opinion Evaluating validity and credibility of information presented. Listening to others in discussions and negotiation, and in Jigsaw Groups.

Ecoliteracy Floodwaters are pumped over the repaired Metairie Relief Outfall canal in New Orleans September 9, Toxic flood waters Global warming Pollution Wildlife refuge Coastal erosion Agriculture Fisheries

Emotional Literacy Rage Fear Grief Relief Joy

Financial Literacy Costs to: Individuals & Families Local to national communities Industries - shipbuilding, agriculture, shrimping, fishing, oil,.. Port of New Orleans

Port industry includes: steamship companies, stevedoring companies, railroads, tugboats and barge companies, and freight forwarders. Everyone in the United States has something, probably in arm’s reach, that was shipped through the Port of New Orleans. (Ali Velshi, CNN Business Reporter)

Media Literacy How can we use multiple forms of media to effect change in the world?

Multicultural Literacy Global response Foreign aid to U.S. Multicultural roots of New Orleans culture

Vocabulary Here you can build your vocabulary list for this unit.. Starter list: Hurricane Coastal Erosion Barrier islands Fossil Fuels Climatology Meteorology Racism Classism

More Resources Find many more resources for this unit theme at: See other unit theme ideas at Contact us at:

Hurricane Katrina Part III