Summary: Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005, killing hundreds of people and causing billions of dollars in damage. The effects of the storm are still felt today in Louisiana and Mississippi, and the government response to the storm remains a politically charged issue. In this lesson, students learn about the storm and consider whether a range of online sources provide reliable information about the effects of Hurricane Katrina. As this lesson has students assessing the validity and reliability of different source information regarding the federal government’s response to Hurricane Katrina, it is recommended that the supplemental resources also be utilized to broaden issue context. .
Overarching Questions:
- CIVICS: How well does the government balance individual rights and the common good, including the need to maintain order, safety and a healthy environment, during this time period?
- ECONOMICS: What is the proper role of government in the economy? (Especially with regard to economic crises, national defense/security, health and safety of the people, and economic development and practices.)
NJ Student Learning Standards for Social Studies:
- 6.1.12.GeoHE.14.a: Evaluate the impact of individual, business, and government decisions and actions on the environment and climate change and assess the efficacy of government policies and agencies in New Jersey and the United States in addressing these decisions.
Link to Lesson: Hurricane Katrina | Digital Inquiry Group
Supplemental materials (links):