Ordinary People, Extraordinary Situations
Late August and early September mark two tragic anniversaries. Six years ago, Hurricane Katrina slammed the Gulf Coast, causing devastation in Mississippi and Louisiana. The subsequent catastrophic failure of levees in New Orleans caused unprecedented flooding and took some 1,500 lives. Ten years ago, on September 11, terrorists stunned the world by attacking the United States. Nearly 3,000 people died that day.
We pair those very different events together in this issue for several reasons. The anniversaries fall within days of each other. Both events shocked the world in ways that are still reverberating today. Each saw ordinary individuals rise to the task of helping their fellow human beings, demonstrating deep wells of generosity and character. In each of those extraordinary events, ordinary people found themselves unexpectedly caught in situations in which they never dreamed they would be.
The two events offer contrast as well. After 9/11, Americans came together with great national pride and commitment. Katrina, however, left many people disappointed, disenchanted, and angry.
You probably remember those events as if they happened yesterday. Your students, however, may have no memory of them at all. And these are events that they should know about. In the current issue of READ, we pay tribute through literature.
September Printable Activities (PDF)
Past Teaching Centers
August - What's Old Is New Again
After the Hurricane / Lit Scene Investigation: Motif
(page 6)
In this issue we offer a Reader’s Theater play of Rita Williams-Garcia’s powerful narrative poem. Although it is told by one narrator, we have broken it into 20 “voices.” (If you have fewer than 20 students in your class, you can double up some of the roles.) Both boys and girls can take a turn at being the voice of Fredericka. If your students need help understanding that concept, you might explain that we are taking artistic license; Fredericka speaks for many folks in New Orleans—male, female, old, young, and all races.
Teaching Tip: To add drama and richness to this presentation, consider playing music at intervals throughout the reading. Some works to consider are “When the Saints Go Marching In,” performed by Louis Armstrong; “Saint James Infirmary,” performed by Louis Armstrong; “Bourbon Street Parade,” performed by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band; “Any Other Day,” performed by Wyclef Jean with Norah Jones; and “Wide Awake,” performed by Audioslave. There are countless others. For footage of the disaster, we recommend you share the music video “All These People” by New Orleans native Harry Connick Jr.
Lit Scene Investigation: Motif
Explore the concept of motif with our interactive LSI (which can be found in your digital edition). Ask students to watch for the references to marching and band music, and ask why the author chose to use that imagery repeatedly throughout the narrative.
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The Real Story of Flight 93
(page 16)
This is a story that all Americans should know. After students read the story, ask them to respond in written form to the Write About It questions at the end. You might choose to have some students share their responses with the class to spur a class discussion.
Extension Activity 1: Ask students to find out what memorials have been built or planned to honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks. On this 10th anniversary of the events, are those memorials in place, or have there been obstacles to building them?
Extension Activity 2: Have students design or compose memorials in the form of artwork, poems, or songs to the heroes of United Flight 93.
The READ magazine Poetry Contest is open to all students 18 years of age and younger.
Please download and print this entry form, attach it to your poem, and mail it to:
READ Magazine Poetry Contest
Weekly Reader
44 South Broadway, 18th Fl.
White Plains, NY 10601
Poems should be no longer than 500 words.
Deadline is December 31, 2011.
The winning six poems will be published in READ magazine in an issue this spring.
