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6-8
The Saguenay Flood: Acts of Mercy
Project type: Assignment
Related topic:
The Saguenay Flood
The Saguenay Flood
Subjects
Social Studies
Summary
Students write a short essay about the way in which humans help one another during and after a disaster.
Duration
1 lesson
Purpose
To investigate the concept of community
PDF
Before Exploring
Have students brainstorm and describe times they have acted to help someone in need. Ask them to identify the reasons for these acts and the feelings generated by the helpers and the victims as a result of these acts.
Outline the Opportunity
Direct students to Clip 4 and Clip 6, and any other clips they think will offer information about people helping one another in the aftermath of the Saguenay Flood. Students should then write a short essay reflecting on the short- and long-term impacts of such acts and comment on the fact that Canadians from across the nation rushed to provide assistance. Students should differentiate between acts by individuals and organizations, and between immediate acts and long-term acts.
Revisit and Reflect
Have students share their essays. Then, note that many people have rebuilt their homes on the floodplain. Ask students to discuss whether they feel that people and organizations would provide the same assistance if a similar flood occurs again.
Extension
Present the following activity to students:
Put yourself in the position of a victim of a natural disaster. Your home and your place of work have both been destroyed. Your future seems bleak. Write a journal entry describing your feelings after people from all over the country have found ways to provide assistance to you and your family.
Put yourself in the position of a victim of a natural disaster. Your home and your place of work have both been destroyed. Your future seems bleak. Write a journal entry describing your feelings after people from all over the country have found ways to provide assistance to you and your family.
