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"Mill River Calamity" from "Harper's Weekly"
"True Heroes" article from scrapbook kept by Celia M. Kimball
"Reservoir Disaster" article from the Gazette and Courier newspaper
"Terrible Horror" article from the Journal of Industry newspaper
"A Full and Graphic Account of the Terrible Mill River Disaster, caused by the Breaking of a Reservoir in Hampshire County"
"A History of Williamsburg in Massachusetts"
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Summary and Objective
Students will understand that the Mill River Flood began in one small town, yet devastated others through loss of life and property. Students will map out the path of the flood and the towns affected. They will compare before and after photos as well as read and listen to first hand accounts of the flood. They will demonstrate their understanding of the catastrophic effects by creating journal entries which might have been written at that time.
Teaching Plan
Step 1.
The teacher will read aloud from "A History of Williamsburg in Massachusetts" - pages 277, 279, 280 (up to "To the hills!") and 287. Students will be encouraged to write at least one insightful question based on what they heard. The class will discuss some of these together.
Step 2.
The class will be divided into 4 groups, each representing the 4 towns affected by the flood. Each will be given one account of the flood for a particular town to read. These will come from "A Full and Graphic Account of the Terrible Mill River Disaster, caused by the Breaking of a Reservoir in Hampshire County" - pages 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, and 18. (These will be divided up according to each town with the exception of each group receiving pp. 17 & 18.) Each group will choose important items to share from their account(s). As each group shares, they will put the name of the town represented on a large map from Harper's Weekly, "Mill River Calamity". (The teacher should previously remove the names from the map, or another may be used if preferred by the teacher.)
Step 3.
Students will be handed before and after photos (a couple per group). They will then place the pictures on the map as to the town in which they were located. (Help from the teacher might be necessary.) The students will then share oral descriptions about what they see from the photos.
Step 4.
The teacher will then read aloud from the "Reservoir Disaster", an article from the Gazette. The teacher may pick and choose information to read as time permits. Students will listen carefully and be prepared to discuss what they hear. When finished, a class discussion will follow.
Step 5.
For homework, the students will write a journal entry of a page or more from the perspective of someone living at that time and having experienced the flood. Students will be given "Terrible Horror" and "True Heroes" to read as optional reading for aid in writing their entry.
Step 6.
The next day, the students will share their journal entries with the class.
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