Graphical interpretation

4. Hurricane Katrina impact

Required Resources

• Slides 12-13
• Student Worksheet 2

Delivery

• Student Worksheet 2-2a build on the areas tackled in the previous Episode, inviting students to interpret further graphically represented and tabulated data and to create their own graphs. Greater use of multi-stage questions demand greater problem solving skills from students, though once again the Worksheet focuses on the identification of patterns (in this case direct relationships between storm force and impact).
• Events have now progressed and the accompanying imagery illustrates the extent of the impact of the hurricane and the required clean-up operation / infrastructure re-build.

Differentiation

Lower Ability:

Students may find the tangible nature of some of the recorded impacts of storm damage easier to grasp than variables with unfamiliar units (e.g. air pressure).

Higher Ability:

This Episode highlights the direct relationship between storm force and effect. Students may be able to volunteer some of the measurable indicators of storm force (e.g. trees blown down, roofs damaged and river banks broken) prior to tackling Student Worksheet 2.
Again, invite students to present their findings in the form of a formal Met Office briefing to the New Orleans authorities. Students should focus on those findings of relevance to those responsible for the re-build.