ELA Lesson: Causes & Effects of Lahaina Wildfires
Lesson Plan
1 hour 50 minutesGrades9, 10, 11, 12Social Studies, English Language Arts
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Written by Emily Pepitone
About this lesson
Students journal and share their own experiences of the Lahaina Wildfire, and are given space to process their emotions. Students identify the causes and effects of the 1919 and 2023 Lahaina Wildfires.
Inquire: Students explore the Lahaina Wildfires through journaling and discussion, reflecting on personal experiences.
Investigate: Students read three articles to identify the causes and effects of wildfires.
Inspire: Students create a mind map of the causes and effects of the wildfires and create a video summary of what they have learned.
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Suggestions
- This lesson aligns with Hawai’i’s Nā Hopena A‘o HĀ-BREATH Framework.
- This lesson can be taught during a unit on natural disasters, climate change, or localized geography and climate.
- This lesson can be taught in an English Language Arts or Social Studies class.
- If being taught in shorter class periods, the three sections of the lesson could each be completed on a different day, with the discussion of the Inquire section given more time.
Prerequisites
- This is lesson 1 of 5 in our grades 9-12 ELA Unit: Climate Change Impacts in Lahaina.
- Students should have a basic understanding of summary skills.
- Teacher should be aware of the sensitivity of the Lahaina Wildfires, especially on the island of Maui.
Differentiation
- Students can use Chapter 8: Droughts, Floods, and Wildfire to extend their learning in the Investigate Section.
- Students can discuss or research the long-term impacts of the wildfire beyond their personal experience.
- Students can write or reflect from the perspective of someone directly affected, such as a firefighter, evacuee, or wildlife rescuer.
- The Investigate section could also be completed as a jigsaw to reduce reading time and burden for students who may struggle to read all of the articles.
From the scientist review
In their study of wildfires, students delve deeply into the causative relationship between wildfires and climate change. They also develop a mind map that illustrates the causes and consequences of the 1919 and 2023 Lahaina Wildfires as well as strategies for preventing future occurrences. After a thorough evaluation of this lesson, we found out that it passed our credibility test for science.
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About the teacher writer
Emily Pepitone
AP Language, 11th Grade English Teacher
Emily Pepitone holds a Master's in education from Moreland University. They have 6 years of experience teaching AP Language, Humanities, Creative Writing, English across grades 7-8-9-10-11-12.
