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Office of Emergency Management » Classroom Resources

Classroom Resources

Emergency Preparedness Classroom Resources and Student Activities

The resources provided on this webpage are optional items for you to consider using to supplement your instructional program as students learn about emergency preparedness. These are available at no cost though some may require registration and specific classroom supplies or equipment. Unless otherwise stated, resources are downloadable.
 
Note: Always ensure that you review and follow District policy for emergencies including: REF-5803 Emergency Procedures, Drills and District-Wide Exercises.

Calendar of Events

Date Event
3rd Thursday of October The Great CA ShakeOut

Teacher-led Resources 

These are optional lessons and other classroom activities for teachers to facilitate to support their students’ emergency preparedness.

 
Resources/Activities Organization
Grade Levels
 Resources/Activities Description
Prepare with Pedro American Red Cross  K-2 A short 30- to 45-minute session to help students become prepared and take action for either home fires or a local hazard; includes coping skills, a storybook, video, standards alignment information, downloadable storybooks and other resources regarding sheltering and washing hands; resources in other languages.
FEMA 159, Tremor Troop: Earthquakes - A Teacher's Package for K-6 FEMA K-6 Downloadable package with hands-on activities on earthquake science and safety, assessments, National Science Education Standards alignment matrices, and glossary. Enter course number, “FEMA 159” in Search by Document Title field.
FireWorks California Office of Emergency Services  K-12 Interdisciplinary, interactive materials about wildland fire; addresses properties of matter, chemical and physical processes, habitat and survival, and ecosystems.
Youth Emergency Preparedness Curriculum- Ready Kids U.S. Department of Homeland Security  1-12 Teaches students what to do prior, during, and after an emergency; skills include problem solving, teamwork, and leadership.
Prepare with Pedro Disaster Preparedness Activity Book American Red Cross  2-6 Disaster preparedness activities include crossword, coloring pages, and matching games; includes resources in other languages.
FEMA 531, The Adventures of Terry the Turtle and Gracie the Wonder Dog FEMA 3-6 Storybook about the adventures of the safety-conscious mayor of Shakeyville (Terry the Turtle) and volunteers who teach about earthquake safety; includes suggestions for disaster kit development, Drop, Cover, and Hold illustrations, and list of resources. Enter course number, “FEMA 531” in Search by Document Title field. 
Disaster Preparedness Curriculum California Office of Emergency Services/San Diego County Office of Education  4 Discusses geological systems, natural disasters, and emergency preparation using print, technology and collaborative research; curriculum copies can be ordered or downloaded; resources in other languages; includes unit overview, student manual, teacher manual and family disaster plan and personal survival guide: https://www.readysandiego.org/getprepared/
Student Tools for Emergency Preparedness U.S. Department of Homeland Security  4 and above Using FEMA’s Student Tools for Emergency Planning (STEP), students learn how to create emergency kits and family communication plans, while learning about disasters, such as, severe weather and wildfires through various lessons which include videos; includes STEP Overview, Instructor Guide, Activity Book, STEP Supplemental Hazard Lessons, Certificate of Completion, and Disaster Dodgers Video Series
FEMA 527, Earthquake Safety Activities for Children and Teachers FEMA Elementary Activities related to what happens during an earthquake, preparing for earthquake shaking, and staying safe during and post- earthquake; includes songs, maps, hazard hunt worksheets, and safety checklists. Enter course number, “FEMA 527” in Search by Document Title field.
FEMA 253, Seismic Sleuths A Teachers Package FEMA MS and HS Addresses the causes and effects of earthquakes, assessment, preparedness and emergency management; includes information on crustal stresses and the earth’s structure, and seismic waves and the development of seismology and instruments, as well as historical information. Enter course number, “FEMA 253” in Search by Document Title field.

Additional Resources

These include lessons led by volunteers, as well as games, references, and programs to support students’ emergency preparedness.

 
Resources/Activities Organization
Grade Levels
 Resources/Activities Description
Kids Resource Library U.S. Department of Homeland Security Unspecified A short 30- to 45-minute session to help students become prepared and take action for either home fires or a local hazard; includes coping skills, a storybook, video, standards alignment information, downloadable storybooks and other resources regarding sheltering and washing hands; resources in other languages.
Disaster Facts U.S. Department of Homeland Security Unspecified Learn what actions to take prior, during and post-disaster, such as tsunami or floods.
Earthquake School Hazard Hunt Video Game California Office of Emergency Service/ FEMA Unspecified A game to learn about earthquake hazard mitigation and presented as a school hazard hunt, where players identify the hazard and tools to mitigate it.
Independent Study: Introduction to Community Emergency Response Team (CERTs) FEMA Unspecified An interactive web-based introduction to the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) to learn more about the CERT program and also used as a pre-requisite for the CERT Basic classroom training available in some local communities; course is two hours and includes a final exam; students will need a FEMA Student Identification which can be obtained here.
The Pillowcase Project American Red Cross 3-5 American Red Cross volunteers present lessons about disaster preparedness at the personal and family levels; teaches safety and survival skills and address local hazards, and coping skills; upon completion, students receive durable pillowcase for their emergency supplies kit; resources include educator letter, coloring sheet, My Preparedness Workbook, posters (including a U.S. hazard map), science supplemental lesson plans, Educational Standards Report, and emergency contact card; resources in other languages.
Ready 2 Help FEMA Ages 8 and above Card game designed to teach five simple steps to stay safe and assist while help arrives; includes card deck and companion book.
Extreme Event LabX/National Academies of Sciences MS and above An award winning in-person role-playing game that gives participants a taste of what it takes to build community resilience in the face of disaster. Players work together to make decisions and solve problems during an engaging, fast-paced disaster simulation. Download materials here.
Youth Preparedness Council FEMA Grades 8-11 Council seeks youth leaders who want to support disaster preparedness and complete projects nationally and locally; summit for participants in July in Washington, D.C.; requires group conference calls; summit expenses reimbursed; application period opens on Jan. 23, 2023 for the 2023 council.
Teen CERT U.S. Department of Homeland Security High School
A 20-hour, in-person course led by trained CERT instructors which teaches youth how to respond during an emergency in their community and schools; students learn how to extinguish small fires, do light search and rescue, assist the injured and set up medical treatment areas, as well as identify and anticipate hazards; to enroll students can inquire at their local fire department; LAFD courses are posted here; school staff can initiate Teen CERT; resources to start a Teen CERT program at your high school are available here.
 
 
Last updated: 06/17/24