
Whether you’re a history buff, a lover of survival stories, or simply seeking a thrilling read, I Survived the Great Molasses Flood, 1919 is a must-read that will stay with you long after the final page.
In January 1919, a massive wave of molasses swept through the streets of Boston, leaving death and destruction in its wake. The Great Molasses Flood, as it came to be known, was a tragic and bizarre event that has captivated people’s imaginations for over a century.
In I Survived the Great Molasses Flood, 1919, readers are taken on a gripping journey through the eyes of one survivor. Carmen recounts the harrowing experience of being caught in the sticky, suffocating deluge. With vivid detail and heart-wrenching emotion, this novel brings to life a forgotten moment in history. Readers will explore themes of resilience, trauma, and the human spirit’s unbreakable will to survive.
I Survived the Great Molasses Flood, 1919 Teaching Activities
Book Unit Samples

You will find the following in this novel study sample:
- Vocabulary Practice
- Comprehension Questions for Chapters 1-2
- Constructed Response Question for Chapters 1-2
Teaching Idea #1 – Video Trailer for I Survived the Great Molasses Flood, 1919
Scholastic makes great book trailers for librarians to show during their book fairs. Check out the trailer for I Survived the Great Molasses Flood, 1919. This trailer makes a great hook activity for your novel study.
Also, be sure to visit the Scholastic website for free teaching materials. This download goes to a free reproducible that can be used for any book in the I Survived Series.
Teaching Idea #2 – Science Experiment
This video does a great job explaining the science behind the Molasses Flood. After watching, have students conduct an experiment to see how different liquids move and flow. They can then discuss how the properties of molasses may have affected the flood and its impact on the city.
Teaching Idea #3 – The Historical Account
This 10-minute video explains the disaster in detail. Students can watch the video and then read the information found in this one-page article. The two information sources provide plenty of information fo students to compare and contrast an actual event to a fictional account found in the novel. The article comes with comprehension questions.
Get this and the following activities in this one download.
Teaching Idea #4 – Timeline

This timeline highlights the events leading up to and following the Great Molasses Flood of 1919, It includes the rescue efforts, cleanup, and legal aftermath. It also shows how the disaster led to changes in engineering and safety standards that continue to impact modern-day construction practices.
The timeline is included in the handout of activities found in the link above. Following the timeline is a list of questions for students.
Teaching Idea #5 – Teaching Resources from Lauren Tarshis

Lauren Tarshis offers several printables for each book in the I Survived Series.
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I Survived the Great Molasses Flood, 1919 Novel Study includes vocabulary practice, comprehension questions, constructed response writing, and skill practice.
1 comment
Thanks for joining in on the link up, Gay! Love your post!