Early elementary resources for teaching emergency preparedness, understand the science behind severe weather, explore through lessons, videos, puzzles and more.
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Disaster preparedness is a delicate matter for young students. As teachers, you want to educate them about potential dangers and yet reassure them that if they are prepared, things will be okay. This section contains sound advice, solid information, and a set of developmentally appropriate tools to help you strike the right balance. Along with simple, standards-aligned lesson plans and creative ideas for reinforcing them in the classroom, there are links to a range of useful resources. You'll find reference material and talking points to help you prepare and respond to topics most relevant to where you live. Plus there are downloadable take-home pages to help students make an emergency plan with their families.
The goal of this section is twofold: to teach students the science behind natural disasters that can happen across the country, and to empower them to be safe and prepared in case one happens close to home. Students may or may not get comprehensive information from home about preparedness. Therefore, schools and teachers play a critical role.
Lesson Plans
- Thunderstorms, Tornadoes and Hurricanes
Engaging, cross-curricular activities bring science and safety concepts to life in your classroom. Make a cloud mural, play a lightning game, practice safety positions and learn more through stories. - Earthquakes and Tsunamis
Be safe, be smart and be prepared! Young students explore earthquakes and tsunamis through storytelling. - Understanding Volcanoes
Build a model volcano to learn about its properties and why volcanoes are dangerous for people who live near them. - Wildfires
Students learn about the complex habitat of a forest. This will heighten their appreciation for the importance of protecting forests from wildfire.
Videos
Early elementary videos present rules for safely exiting buildings, tips for memorizing important emergency contact numbers and more ready reminders.
Bulletin Board Ideas
- Creatively link science and preparedness concepts.
Bring bulletin boards back to life with weather warnings, plans for pets and ready reminders.
Themed Puzzles
These puzzles help beginning readers with letter and word recognition while supporting key readiness and science concepts. Plus, puzzles are plain old fun! Print these examples in support of the lesson plans or make your own.
Resources
For additional information that can help ready your classroom, you can visit the following sites:
- The Department of Homeland Security's Ready Campaign
Create an emergency supply kit, make an emergency plan, and learn important facts about thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural hazards.
http://www.ready.gov/ - NEW - Plan for the flu with this communication toolkit for schools.
http://www.flu.gov/plan/school/toolkit.html - Local Emergency Management
Find resources and information on preparedness in your community.
http://www.ready.gov/america/local/index.html - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Education Site
Get daily weather forecasts and severe storm warnings.
http://www.weather.gov/os/edures.shtml - National Preparedness Month
A Nationwide coordinated effort held each September to promote emergency preparedness in the home, workplace, school, and community.
www.ready.gov/america - State Preparedness Awareness Events
Each state has its own weather awareness week/s. Learn more about the weather awareness week/s in your state, and find out what you can do in support of state-wide initiatives with your class.
http://www.weather.gov/os/severeweather/severewxcal.shtml - Smokey Bear's Home Page
Learn essential wildfire prevention information.
http://www.smokeybear.com/wildfires.asp - School Emergency Checklist
http://readyclassroom.discoveryeducation.com/media/pdfs/school-emergency-supplies-go-kit.pdf - Webcast Archive