NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?
SUMMARY
Amid the devastation of the wildfires that tore through Southern California last month, thousands had their education disrupted. At least a dozen schools were burned or so badly damaged that students can’t return any time soon. William Brangham spent time with teachers and students from an elementary in Altadena to understand how educators keep moving forward in the middle of a disaster zone.
View the transcript of the story.
Key terms
wildfire — a powerful fire that burns out of control across a large area.
News alternative: Check out recent segments from the News Hour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- What happened to Rosebud Elementary School?
- How many students lost their home in the Eaton fire?
- Who helped provide a temporary relocation space for Rosebud?
- Where does the Young family have to live after losing their home?
- How does teacher Laura Chavez relate to many of her students?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Many Southern California teachers and students lost their homes and schools in the Eaton fire. Shawn Brown, executive director of Pasadena Rosebud Academy, says that after the fire, the most important thing was to get the kids back in school. How do you think being together after tragedy helps students and teachers get through difficult times?
Media literacy: Has your community or school been affected by any natural disasters or other hardships? How did you get through it and what did you learn from the experience?
WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
Watch the video below to learn about the challenges facing Black homeowners in Altadena after losing their homes in what will likely become the most expensive fires in U.S. history.
Learn more about the background of the Southern California wildfires by completing this daily news lesson.
Written by Gianfranco Beran, PBS News Hour Classroom's production assistant, and Classroom's director, Victoria Pasquantonio.
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