An Unnatural Disaster

Mission of Organization

“A group of public school educators committed to fighting for social justice in our school system and society at large, by organizing and mobilizing teachers, developing curriculum, and working with community, parent, and student organizations.”

Curriculum Description

This curriculum examines Hurricane Katrina. Teachers can use materials to guide students understanding of local, state, and federal response to Hurricane Katrina and its long term effects. Additionally, the curriculum challenges the classrooms neutrality and lack of discussion around Katrina while working to increase critical consciousness surrounding the tragedy and the unequal power balances that were involved.

Curriculum Materials Reviewed
  • Government Response
  • Inequality
  • Two Gulf Wars
Source of Funding

N/A

Learning Resources
  • News Articles
  • Websites
Target Population/Grade Levels
Cost Per Classroom
It is free, but some subscriptions may be required for opening different articles.
Training
N/A
Domain Presence
Critical Consciousness

Presence Evaluation: Full Presence

Evaluation Notes: This resource looks closely at the social inequity that exacerbated the devastating affects of Hurricane Katrina. 

Social Action

Presence Evaluation: Full Presence

Evaluation Notes: The curriculum challenges students to take social action.

Reciprocal Community Relationship

Presence Evaluation: Some Presence

Evaluation Notes: This resource examines how students can impact their community through grassroots efforts.

Systems Wide Approach

Presence Evaluation: Some Presence

Evaluation Notes: The curriculum works engages multiple levels of the school community in dealing with Hurricane Katrina.

Explicit Teaching of Social Justice Principles

Presence Evaluation: Full Presence

Evaluation Notes: The lessons cover key social justice principles throughout its lessons.

Self-Reflection

Presence Evaluation: Not Present

Evaluation Notes: The lessons reviewed are not focused on self-reflection and self-love.

Evidence Based

Presence Evaluation: Not Present

Evaluation Notes: To date, there has been no empirical study of this curriculum to evaluate its effectiveness.

Inclusion and Equity

Presence Evaluation: Minimal Presence

Evaluation Notes: There is a lesson examining the role of equity in the varying outcomes of the people of New Orleans. 

High Expectations

Presence Evaluation: N/A

Evaluation Notes: We are unable to evaluate this domain since it is best measured through observation.

Social Identities

Presence Evaluation: Full Presence

Evaluation Notes: Race and class were determining factors of Hurricane Katrina’s devastating outcomes and are discussed as such within the curriculum.