Kids Books

Florida’s Division of Emergency Management is charged with bringing awareness and preparing Florida’s citizens for emergencies and disasters in order to mitigate loss. When they decided to carry their message to primary grade children, they came to IDEAS Learning for help. The result was the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s Classroom Reading Project.

We began by making sure that we aligned the objectives of each story with the Sunshine State Standards for Language Arts and Science. Then we wrote the books at the appropriate grade level so that the students could read the books themselves, and teachers could use them in their classrooms as integrated curriculum materials. To make a story “real,” a young child must be able to relate to and identify with the characters. We created characters who, like the target audience, reside in the state of Florida. That way, the children could “see themselves” in the stories. The trick was to create stories that could educate about the hazards without scaring the kids! We used the characters to do that. By integrating science (basic weather awareness), Florida studies, and reading skills together, we provided a rich source of story elements and activity-based learning.

Each book has a corresponding Teacher/Parent Guide with deeper science information and teaching suggestions to prepare the adults for all those questions kids ask, as well as, questions to ask kids as they read in order to improve their comprehension skills.

Grade 1- The Adventures of Rabbit, Possum, and Squirrel in The 30/30 Rule: When a thunderstorm approaches, Rabbit, Possum, and Squirrel each react differently. Rabbit remembers the 30/30 rule that he learned in school and he leads the way to lightning safety for him and his friends. Here’s an example of the audio book for grade 1.

Grade 2- Professor Tinkermeister and the Wacky, Wiz-Bang, Weather-Watching Wonder: The professor has a new flying machine and he uses it to search for a tornado. In his travels across Florida, he touches down to warn people and tell them how to prepare. Here’s an example of the audio book for grade 2.

Grade 3- The Oak Tree Club: This chapter book features four Oak Tree Club members and a cousin who evacuates from the coast of Florida as a hurricane approaches. Each family goes about preparing their home and a Disaster Supply Kit for their family. Here’s an example of the audio book for grade 3.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ie8pgxto10

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