Voices of Resilience: Collecting Stories of Survivors | CEEE

Voices of Resilience: Collecting Stories of Survivors Oral Histories are a tool that historians use to record peoples experiences and stories. We can use these stories to gain knowledge for future events, and gain a better understanding of the strengths in our own community members' personal experiences. Context for Use This lesson is best used as part of the HEART Force curricular unit, as part of information gathering for students to begin thinking about a resilience action project.  Lake County California wildfire survivor Stephen Wasik shares about rebuilding his home after losing it to the Valley Fire in 2015. Photo Credit: Museums of Lake County Program Hazard Education, Awareness, and Resilience Task Force Resource Type Lesson Topics Colorado-Based Community Resilience & Climate Action Community-focused Natural Hazards Middle School High School Instructional Time 100 minutes NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea(s) ESS3B: Natural Hazards ESS3C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems Published Date February 3, 2025 Funding Information Voices of Resilience: Collecting Stories of Survivors Funding Information × NOAA award number NA18SEC0080007 funded as part of the NOAA Environmental Literacy Program. Close Goals Header What Students Will Do Using the framework of oral history, ask a community member questions about their experience with natural hazards . Look for patterns by analyzing and interpreting data collected from community members about their experience with natural hazards . Materials User note: To make an editable copy of the teaching materials in Google Drive, select File > "Make a copy". This will make a copy for you to save to your own drive and edit as you see fit. Voices of Resilience Lesson Materials Google Folder Voices of Resilience Lesson Materials Google Folder Voices of Resilience Teacher Guide Voice of Resilience Teacher Guide Voices of Resilience Lesson Slides Voices of Resilience Lesson Slides Voices of Resilience Student Handout Voices of Resilience Student Handout Voices of Resilience Student Handout KEY Voices of Resilience Student Handout KEY Description In this lesson, students will collect oral histories from community members about their lived experiences with wildfire, flood or drought.  Part 1 – Engage (10 minutes) Oral History Example Watch an example of an oral history, and facilitate a think-pair-share to reflect on the video.  Part 2 – Explore (15 minutes) Practice Interview Students pair up and interview each other about an emotional event they experienced. Part 3 – Explore (25 minutes) Preparing for an Interview As a class, students watch a video about how to conduct an oral history, and brainstorm a list of questions to ask.  Part 4 – Explore (Homework) Conduct an Oral History Interview Students interview a family member, friend, or expert in the community about a natural hazard they experienced.  Part 5 – Explain (30 minutes) Class Discussion In small groups, students share out their oral history interviews. In a class discussion, students look for patterns in how community members experienced hazards in the past.  Part 6 – Explore (20 minutes) Looking Back to Look Forward In a writing assignment, students use the evidence they collected in the oral histories to brainstorm ideas on how the community can be better prepared for the next hazard.    Similar Resources Data Puzzle: Windstorms on the Front Range The Vocabulary of Hazards Envisioning a Resilient Future A Changing Climate: Understanding Drought in Colorado Middle School Lesson Adapting to Extremes: Exploring the Science of Drought in Colorado High School Lesson A Changing Climate: Understanding Floods in Colorado Middle School Lesson Adapting to Extremes: Exploring the Science of Floods in Colorado High School Lesson A Changing Climate: Understanding Wildfire in Colorado Middle School Lesson