Presented By: Kim Richardson, Psy.S. School Psychologist, Palm Beach County
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Presented By: Kim Richardson, Psy.S. School Psychologist, Palm Beach County Hurricanes Educators Acknowledgements During the first six weeks of the 2004-2005 school year, the state of Florida was struck by four hurricanes, resulting in $42 billion dollars in damage and the destruction of over 65,000 homes. Following each natural disaster, school psychology leaders throughout the state worked to secure resources to support parents, teachers and administrators, often while coping with their own personal losses. The president of the Florida Association of School Psychologists at the time, Mary Alice Meyers, mobilized our state association to support the communities affected. It became clear that a document designed to assist adults in responding to the mental health needs of children following a hurricane was critically needed. Kim Richardson, Psy.S., a classroom teacher for over ten years and a school psychologist, volunteered to steward this ambitious project. Kim has given countless hours to the compilation of these materials, which has resulted in an extremely comprehensive, user-friendly document that brings together “Best Practices” in preparing for, responding to and coping in the aftermath of a hurricane. Documents were gleaned from organizations such as the National Association of School Psychologists, FEMA, the Red Cross, and Education World. Many thanks go to Mary Alice Meyers, Bob Templeton, Gene Cash, and Scott Poland for their leadership and feedback in the dissemination of these materials. Please make copies of this CD, print out the materials and help support anyone for whom they may be of use. Hurricane Katrina has made us all powerfully aware of the potential devastation a natural disaster can bring. It has also made us keenly aware of the potential power of humanity following such tragedy. Perhaps Adam Lindsay Gordon, said it best: “Life is mostly froth and bubble, Two things stand like stone; Kindness in another’s trouble, Courage in your own.” May these materials provide you with resources to support both kindness and courage. Respectfully Submitted, Sarah Valley-Gray, Psy.D. Assistant Professor, Nova Southeastern University FASP Executive Board Member 1 Hurricanes Educators TABLE OF CONTENTS: I. Introduction to the manual………………………………………...…Page 4 II. Selected Readings for Elementary/Middle School ……………...…..Page 5 III. Selected Readings for High School/Adult………………………...….Page 13 IV. Selected Readings for Teachers…………………………………...….Page 16 V. Learning About Disasters: Curriculum Suggestions…………...…...Page 18 VI. Classroom Activities………… …………………………………...…...Page 20 VII. Classroom Activities to Help Children Express Feelings: v The Talking Method v The Drawing Method v The Writing Method…………………………………...……...Page 23 VIII. What Children May Be Experiencing………………………………. Page 36 IX. Implications for Teachers………………………………………...…...Page 40 X. Reproducible Activities………………………………………...…….. Page 43 v Hurricane Coloring Book (elem) v Label the Hurricane (elem) v Fill in the Letters of the Hurricane (elem) v Unscramble Hurricane Words (elem) v Color Hurricane Related Words (elem) v Draw & Color Hurricane Related Words (elem) v Names of Hurricanes (elem) v Hurricane Word Search v Hurricane Cloze Activity v Hurricane Quiz v Hurricane Tracking XI. FEMA: Things to Know:Hurricane Information………………...… Page 83 XII. Hurricane Preparation…………………………………………..…… Page 98 XIII. Article: Helping Children After a Natural Disaster: Information for Parents and Teachers By Philip J. Lazarus, NCSP, Florida International University Shane R. Jimerson, NCSP, University of California, Santa Barbara Stephen E. Brock, NCSP, California State University, Sacramento ……….….. Page 101 2 Hurricanes Educators XIV. Coping with Crisis—Helping Children With Special Needs: Tips for School Personnel and Parents: By: National Association of School Psychologists……………………….……. Page 106 XV. Responding to Hurricane Katrina: The American Red Cross……Page 111 3 Hurricanes Educators September 4, 2005 Dear Educator: Hurricanes may have friendly names, but there is nothing nice about them. These catastrophic storms can produce winds anywhere from 74 mph to 200 mph. In addition, hurricanes can create torrential rains causing floods and devastation. Not only can this happen along the coast, but hundreds of miles inland as well. On August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina hit the coastline of Louisiana and Mississippi with winds clocked at 160 mph. Thousands of people lost their homes, lives, and basic services such as water, gas, and electricity. Preparation for emergencies is critical at school and in the community. Long before hurricane season begins, educators can incorporate hurricane preparedness in their curriculum. When disasters of this kind occur, students can be the most affected. They may experience varying emotions and reactions. Just knowing that these reactions are likely and normal can help you be better prepared. As a caring role model in a young child’s life, it is important to remember that your students may look towards you for information and guidance. So what specifically can educators do to help alleviate students’ stress during the aftermath of a hurricane? Providing an opportunity in the classroom for children to express their emotions will enable them to feel more secure in their environment. Enclosed are materials and activities designed to help educators assist with student’s varying emotions. These resources are geared with you, the educator, in mind. Respectfully Submitted, Selected Hurricane Readings/Media for Elementary, Middle School 4 Hurricanes Educators 1. Air at work. Ltd Video Arts. 25 minutes,videocassette. Start Here: Adventures into Science Landmark, 1983. Middle School Konrad, the kitchen robot, explains air movement, using simple experiments that can be reproduced in the classroom or at home. 2. Anholt, Catherine and Laurence Anholt. Sun, snow, stars, sky. Viking Press, 1995. Elementary Takes children on a bright, busy tour of the changing seasons, from frosty winter nights to melting-hot summer days. 3. Archer, Jules. Hurricane! Crestwood House; Collier Macmillan Canada, 1991. Elementary, Middle School Examines the nature, origins and dangers of hurricanes and discusses the warning system that detects them and alerts people in their path. 4. Barrett, Norman S. Hurricanes and tornadoes. F. Watts, 1990. Elementary, Middle School (in Spanish) Describes how a hurricane or tornado happens, the damage caused, and precautions and defensive behavior. 5. Branley, Franklyn Mansfield. Hurricane watch. Crowell, 1985. Elementary Describes the origin and nature of hurricanes and ways of staying safe when threatened by one of these dangerous storms. 6. Brindze, Ruth. Hurricanes; monster storms from the sea. Atheneum, 1973. Elementary, Middle School Recounts some famous hurricanes of history and describes what man has learned about hurricanes, how they are tracked, and attempts to tame them. 7. Brown, Robert and Julie Brown. How weather works. Gareth Stevens Children's Books, 1991. Elementary Introduces the elements that make up weather and climate, discusses methods of gathering data and forecasting the weather, examines the climate's effects on animals and vegetation, and the effect of human activities on climate. 5 Hurricanes Educators 8. Butterworth, W. E. "Trying to reason with hurricane season." Boys' Life 85, no. 10 (1995): 50, 7C. Elementary, Middle School Discusses lessons about hurricanes learned by Scouts from March 1995 talk by Richard Pasch and Ed Rappaport of the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida. How hurricanes develop; speed of hurricane winds; prediction of warnings about hurricanes. 9. Clouds. 10 minutes, videocassette. Series:"Primary Science" Barr Films, 1990. Elementary Explains the composition, and formation of clouds. Describes the three main types of clouds, and why clouds are unique to our planet. Examines the interaction of air and water as it relates to cloud movement and shape. 10. Cole, Joanna. The magic school bus inside a hurricane. Scholastic Inc., 1995. Elementary Take students on a field trip through a hurricane. 11. Cork, Barbara Taylor. Weather forecaster. Gloucester Press, 1992. Middle School Describes weather patterns and the natural forces that bring about changes in climate and how to make forecasts based on observations. 12. Cory, George. Head on with Hurricane Camille. Raintree Publishers, 1980. Middle School Narrates the harrowing events that followed a family's decision not to abandon their Gulfport, Mississippi home, although it was in the path of Hurricane Camille. 13. Deery, Ruth. Tornadoes and hurricanes Good Apple (Natural Disaster Series), 1985 Elementary 14. Dineen, Jacqueline. Hurricanes and typhoons. Gloucester Press, 1991 Elementary, Middle School An introduction to violent storms, discusses violent weather patterns, damaging effects, human causes, monitoring equipment, and what can be done to protect people and property. 15. Erlbach, Arlene. Hurricanes. Childrens Press, 1993 Elementary, Middle School 6 Hurricanes Educators Describes the movements and destructive power of hurricanes and explains how they are predicted and monitored. 16. Facklam, Margery and Howard Facklam. Changes in the wind : earth's shifting climate Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1985 Elementary Examines the factors causing changes in the earth's climate, including ocean currents, the destruction of the rain forests, and the greenhouse effect, and discusses predictions for the future. 17. Forecasting the weather. Lawrence