The Sitka Hurricane: What Primary Sources Can Tell Us
Analyzing Documents
About this Activity
- Created by:Curry School of Education and Human Development
- Historical Era:Across Historical Eras
- Thinking Skill:Historical Analysis & Interpretation
- Bloom's Taxonomy:Analyzing
- Grade Level:Middle School
This lesson is focused on the analysis of one document that captures the drastic changes in weather experienced in Sitka, Alaska, just before and during what became known as the Sitka Hurricane. For many years, experts were unsure about the true categorization of the storm, mostly arguing that it was a severe extratropical cyclone. But new evidence suggests that this storm was indeed a hurricane. What information can students derive from the primary source document that hinted at the storm's true nature?
The main goals of this activity are to 1) have students analyze a primary source that describes changing weather patterns; 2) have students describe, in writing, the primary evidence that suggests that the storm was severe enough to be a hurricane; and 3) have students evaluate whether this document helps or hurts our understanding of whether this storm was truly a hurricane.
Based on the document, students should be able to recognize that the change in weather from the beginning to the end of the document was drastic and that it became more severe as time passed. Students should also be able to describe that this document supports the claim that this storm was indeed a hurricane. Please see the following objectives below:
Students will be able to:
https://www.docsteach.org/activities/student/the-sitka-hurricane-what-primary-sources-can-tell-usThe main goals of this activity are to 1) have students analyze a primary source that describes changing weather patterns; 2) have students describe, in writing, the primary evidence that suggests that the storm was severe enough to be a hurricane; and 3) have students evaluate whether this document helps or hurts our understanding of whether this storm was truly a hurricane.
Based on the document, students should be able to recognize that the change in weather from the beginning to the end of the document was drastic and that it became more severe as time passed. Students should also be able to describe that this document supports the claim that this storm was indeed a hurricane. Please see the following objectives below:
Students will be able to:
- Recall and describe the importance of the U.S.S. Jamestown crews' collection of weather data during the Sitka Hurricane.
- Describe and evaluate how the Sitka Hurricane was understood to be a hurricane based on primary source weather data.
- Assess the importance of historical weather data collection and how it can inform us about our understanding of weather today.