This publication provides ready-to-use, hands-on activities for students and teachers explaining what happens during an earthquake, how to prepare for earthquake shaking, and how to stay safe during and after an earthquake. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Science Teachers Association have also prepared Earthquake: A Teacher’s Package for K-6, which includes hands-on classroom activities to support all elementary subject areas: creative writing, art, mathematics, social studies, and science.

Known as Tremor Troop, this publication contains matrices that link the classroom activities to the National Science Education Standards. The Drop, Cover, and Hold drawing shown on Master C of this Earthquake Safety Activities publication is available from FEMA as a classroom poster, as noted below.

For middle and high school teachers, FEMA and the American Geophysical Union have prepared Earthquake: A Teacher’s Package for Grades 7-12. Classroom activities are described, and activity sheets for students and background material for teachers are provided in each of the volume’s six units. Known as Seismic Sleuths, this publication also contains matrices that link the classroom activities to the National Science Education Standards.

Tremor Troop and Seismic Sleuths are available both in print and on CD-ROM. The classroom poster is available as a print publication. For information about where to obtain copies of these publications, as well as other resources, refer to the References section, on page 31 of this document.

Download Earthquake Safety Activities For Children and Teachers

PDF format, 5MB, 74 Pages. Provided by FEMA.
FEMA 527 / August 2005

Introduction and Background

Forty-five States and U.S. Territories are vulnerable to the hazards of earthquakes and are at very high to moderate risk of damage from earthquakes. Earthquakes have caused, and can cause in the future enormous loss of life, injury, destruction of property, and economic and social disruption.

Since earthquake shaking is possible almost everywhere in the United States, earthquake safety should be practiced by everyone. There is a great deal that you and your students can do to take care of yourselves during and after an earthquake. The lessons in this booklet cover planning, preparation, practice, and more practice. The classroom activities are designed for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. We provided teaching notes; “Learning Links” summarizing interdisciplinary connections; and a set of masters ready to reproduce for transparencies, handouts, and worksheets.

Students find the topic of earthquakes fascinating. Their fascination may contain an element of fear, like the fear that arises in teaching fire safety. That fear can be reduced by reminding them that they are learning how to take care of themselves if an earthquake happens. Parents’ fears may also need to be addressed. Let your students know that fear is a normal reaction to any danger. Make your message clear: We can’t do anything to prevent earthquakes, but we can prepare ourselves to cope with them. We can help ourselves and others to do many things that will make our homes and schools safer.

For earthquake safety information developed specifically for children and families, visit the websites of FEMA (http://fema.gov/kids/) and the U.S. Geological Survey (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/4kids/).

Home Earthquake Safety Checklist

1. As a family, determine the safest spots in each room of your home: under heavy pieces of furniture such as sturdy tables or desks, and in inside corners.

2. Determine the danger spots in each room. These include any place near: windows, bookcases, large mirrors, china cabinets, hanging objects, stoves, or fireplaces.

❏ If you’re cooking, remember to turn off the stove before taking cover.

3. Discuss, then practice what to do if an earthquake happens while you’re at home. (Children who have practiced safety procedures are more likely to stay calm during an actual earthquake.) Drop, Cover, and Hold:

❏ Crouch in a safe place (see 1. above).
❏ Hold on to the table or desk leg so that the table or desk stays on top of you.
❏ Tuck your head and close your eyes.
❏ Stay covered until the shaking has stopped.

4. Determine an emergency evacuation plan for each room of your home.
❏ Keep a flashlight with fresh batteries beside each bed, and shoes to protect feet from glass and other sharp objects.

5. Agree on a safe gathering place outside the house where all family members will meet after an earthquake.

6. Discuss as a family what needs to be done after an earthquake ends.

Reminders:
❏ Stay calm.
❏ Be prepared for aftershocks. These may be strong. Take cover if shaking begins again.

Parents Only:
❏ Check for injuries. Apply first-aid as needed.
❏ Check for fires.
❏ Shut off electricity at main power if you suspect damage. Don’t turn switches on or off.
❏ Shut off gas valves if-there is any chance of a gas leak. Detect gas by smell, never by using matches or candles.
❏ Shut off water inside and out if breakage has occurred.

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