Name: Moody, Gary
E-mail: gsm10@pgtc.com
Topic: The Great Flood  of 1927 in Arkansas
Grade: 7-8
Time: 1-2 class periods
Ark. Hist. Framework: 1.1.15,  2.1.7,  2.1.12,  3.1.12


Objective: The students will be able to develop an understanding  of the Great 
Flood's impact on the people and the land of Arkansas.

Set: Begin with discussing what natural disasters are.  Pose the question-- 
What was the worst natural disaster in the history of Arkansas?

Materials: Arkansas history textbook, Flood video, Flood audio, lesson review quiz

Key Terms: natural disaster, Mississippi River Valley, levee, property loss, 
Red Cross, tent cities, tent refugees

Key Facts: 
* Heavy rains in early spring of 1927 put several of Arkansas' major rivers 
  at flood levels
* Levees built up and down the Mississippi River Valley failed to hold up
* Flooding began in mid-April 1927
* Floods covered over 6,000 square miles in Arkansas (13% of the state)
* The Red Cross was called on to provide help and support in flood areas
* Flood waters destroyed towns, farms, businesses and homes all along the area
* Tent cities were established to provide temporary shelter for flood refugees
* 36 out of 75 Arkansas counties were touched by the flood
* $15,000,000 worth of damage was caused by the flood in the state
* 127 people lost their lives due to the flood
* Arkansas had more area covered by flood waters than the states of Mississippi 
  and Louisianna combined

Activities: Students will review information in the arkansas history text 
concerning the flood of 1927.  Key terms will be defined and discussed.  
Students will watch a video and listen to a historical song concerning the 
flood.  Key facts about the great flood will be put on the overhead transparency 
and discussed.

Closure: Discuss the significance of this natural disaster in Arkansas.  
Re-emphasize some of the key facts about the flood and their impact on the state 
and it's people.

Assessment: 
1.  Students will write a 3 point paragraph about the flood's effect upon 
    the state.
2.  Students will take a quiz/answer questions over the lesson.

Resources: 
1.  An Arkansas History for Young People (textbook)pp.283-285.
2.  Arkansas Odyssey pp. 410-412  Michael Dougan
3.  "Water Steals the Land" Arkansas' Great Flood  (video)  AETN TV
4.  "I don't believe the levee's gonna hold"  (audio)  
    Arkansas Stories:  http://www.arkansasstories.com/flood-of-1927-two.html

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