This is a post sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association and SparkySchoolhouse.org.
Unless you live under a rock (which actually sounds like a fabulous idea right about now), you’re familiar with the TV show This is Us. And if you’re familiar with the show, you’re probably aware of The Crock Pot Fire. It deserves capitalization.
Jack and the Crock Pot (*sobs*) and my daughters’ endless obsession with the movie The Greatest Showman, which also features a near devastating fire, have sparked (see what I did there) necessary conversations about fire safety in our house. Just so happens October is Fire Prevention Month, so the parent and educator in me is seizing the opportunity to partner with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and arm you with everything you need to discuss fire safety with your kiddos and students. If you’re crazy about themes, as this English teacher happens to be, plan to share these resources during National Fire Prevention Week, October 7-13.
- Everyone learns differently: I prefer reading and taking notes (OLD SCHOOL, WHAT?!), my kids prefer learning through play and music, and my students seem to most enjoy watching videos. Sparky Schoolhouse, NFPA’s educational portal for fire safety, includes a variety of fire safety teaching tools that’ll engage every type of learner.
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- If your kids and students are young-ish, the direct approach to fire safety may not be quite right for them, in which case, Sparky.org, NFPA’s site for kids, is the answer. There’s a bunch of web-based games appropriate for their age, plus printable activities. When we take our kids out to eat, my husband and I relish the interactive place-mats that keep our littles occupied long enough for us to make important decisions about drinks and appetizers. The activities on Sparky.org remind me so much of that place-mat fun, which is how I know kiddos will love them (and learn!):
- Sparky Schoolhouse’s Fire Prevention resources offer short videos ranging from the equipment firefighters wear, songs to help kids remember what to do in case of a fire, and snippets of historical events like the Chicago Fire of 1871. This is also where you’ll find an instructional guide for Teaching Fire Prevention Week, a how-to and design template for students and families to create a home fire escape plan, and parent resource letters in both English and Spanish on the importance of fire safety and prevention.
- Finally, let’s not forget Sparky Apps for students, a web based tool for our digital natives. I really like yelling, “THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT!” and this is the perfect opportunity.
- If your kids and students are young-ish, the direct approach to fire safety may not be quite right for them, in which case, Sparky.org, NFPA’s site for kids, is the answer. There’s a bunch of web-based games appropriate for their age, plus printable activities. When we take our kids out to eat, my husband and I relish the interactive place-mats that keep our littles occupied long enough for us to make important decisions about drinks and appetizers. The activities on Sparky.org remind me so much of that place-mat fun, which is how I know kiddos will love them (and learn!):
Parents and teachers: in case you’re interested in finding NFPA and Sparky the Fire Dog on social media, I’ve included links and handles below.
@NFPA on Twitter
@Sparky_Fire_Dog on Twitter
@theNFPA on Faceook
@SparkyTheFireDog on Facebook
@NFPAdotorg & #SparkytheFireDog on Instagram
@NFPA on Pinterest
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