When Disaster Strikes! (Grades 3-4)

Students read about two little known disasters - the Boston Molasses Flood of 1919 and the Peshtigo Fire of 1871. Students are supported to write effective explanations about man-made disasters and how they can be prevented. Two informational texts 2-3 weeks instruction Explanation writing   What is this unit about? In this unit, students will read two texts: “The Boston Molasses Flood of 1919” and “The Blood-Red Night” both by Lauren Tarshis. In both texts, Tarshis explores historical disasters through the use of factual information and narrative stories of children who experienced the disasters first hand. In “The Boston Molasses Flood of 1919,” students read about Anthony and his experience as he is taken by surprise by a giant wave of molasses sweeping through his North End neighborhood. The second text, “The Blood-Red Night,” follows the Kramer family and the town of Peshtigo, Wisconsin, as they try to escape the firestorm raging through the forest surrounding the town. Throug