The Storm of the Century: The Blizzard of 49 is a WyomingPBS documentary.  This documentary tells the story of the worst series of storms in Wyoming's history.  But for all the tragedy and loss, suffering, and death, there was hope and heroism, unselfish sacrifice, and generosity. Students will learn about the Blizzard of 1949 and the emergency actions taken by the United States government in response. In the accompanying lesson plans (found in Support Materials), students will learn about the United States Government's response to the Blizzard of '49. 

LESSON OBJECTIVES:

• Students will understand the purpose of the executive and legislative branches of government. 
• Students will give examples of needs, wants, and scarcity and describe how tools and technology make life easier. 
• Students will analyze and evaluate how physical changes influenced historical events. 
• Students will describe how the environment influences people in Wyoming and how people adjust to and/or change the environment in order to survive. 
• Students will practice speaking and listening skills. 
• Students will use independent and whole class strategies to describe and interpret information about the Blizzard of 1949. 
• Students will write a short summary about Operation Snowbound. 
• Students will describe how historical events impact the future, describe the structures of the United States Constitution, and identify scarcity. 
• Students will describe how tools and technology in different historical periods impacted the way people lived, made decisions, and saw the world. 
• Students will evaluate multiple sources of information in diverse formats and media in order to address a question or solve a problem. 
• Students will identify historical interactions between and among individuals, groups, and/or institutions. 
• Students will describe how values and beliefs influence individual, family, and business decisions. 
• Students will evaluate how physical changes influenced historical events. 
• Students will compare and contrast the ways various groups meet human needs and concerns and contribute to identity, situations, and events. 
• Students will practice reading informational texts, speaking and listening, and reading in Social Studies and History.

View the entire documentary at Blizzard of '49