Sometimes I think that just because my kids are in elementary and middle school that I don’t have to go over the basics with them.
But this weekend I realized I was totally wrong.
You guys, even our ‘big kids’ need to be reminded about what to do if there’s a fire in the house, just like they need to be reminded about stranger safety and bike safety.
And right now, because National Fire Prevention Week is right around the corner, there’s no better time than now to hit your kids with a little fire safety reminders.
Really.
I am thrilled to be teaming up with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and We Are Teachers to share some pretty cool–actually the best I’ve found!–resources for fire prevention week. These resources can be used naturally at home or at school.
We’ve even got an awesome giveaway for you: an iPad mini 2 so that you can check out these resources and games with your own kids.
For real.
Here’s the skinny. . .
Fire Prevention Week–Best Resources for Home and School:
Owen and I took a long time going through these resources this weekend while Maddy and Cora were out and about, and what we realized is that he and I both did not know a lot about the history of fire safety. And we both appreciated the refresher on fire prevention. It was really cool.
We commented about the fact that the games were totally worth playing so that we remember the important how-to’s and what-to-do’s if and when a fire occurs.
Lessons From History: Seriously cool background information on fire prevention.
1. Video: author Lauren Tarshis
I love that this is ‘lessons from history’ vs ‘history lessons’. Owen and I were in awe watching this video and reading through the resources.
Lauren Tarshis is one of our favorite authors ever. (You totally know her–she writes the I Survived. . . series!) Check out this quick video on what she learned about the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 while researching for I Survived The Great Chicago Fire of 1871:
I learned so much!
2. Great Chicago Fire of 1871 printables & more!
The Sparky School House site has so many resources and printables, it’s nuts.
We went right for the resources on the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, though, since we had just watched the video. It’s a great combo with the video above, and if you’re not sure how to bring up the topic of fire safety with your kids, then maybe start with the video.
Show them the video.
Print out the printable.
Talk about it.
- Talk about how the fire changed history.
- Talk about how it impacted city and building design.
- Talk about how Lauren Tarshis did her research and what she learned.
- Talk about how reliable those resources were and how first-hand accounts can help in ways that data and numbers cannot.
3. Sparky’s Brain Busters App
We’ve looked at other Sparky apps in the past, but this one–Sparky’s Brain Busters–is new.
It’s free. And you can grab Sparky’s Brain Busters at the iTunes store for ios or Amazon for Android users.
The fun thing about this app is that it’s more like a game show, which Owen really loved. The goal is to answer as many questions correctly as possible in a given amount of time, and in each category.
The super cool thing is that you can play with multiple players–which is something that my kids really love since they don’t play many games this way. Any way they can sneak in a little healthy competition with each other, they’re game.
And when they’re playing with questions dealing with fire safety, fire prevention history, math, and more, it’s a win in my book.
4. Tons and tons of resources for school and families
Head to the Sparky School House site and scroll all the way down to check out all of the printables and resources. Or use the navigation bar at the top of the screen to search that way.
Either way, you will be amazed at how much is there and what an amazing age range it spans.
There is something for home and school, no matter the child’s age, maturity level, or need: videos, games, apps, printables, and more. Yay!
Definitely share the link with teachers and administrators–every activity is aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS), so it’s really worth checking out. I truly believe that these are resources worth passing along!
5. Next steps for school and family: plan and share
Honestly, our next step is to get a fire safety plan in place for our home. At our next Family Meeting, this is number one on the ‘must discuss’ list.
Most schools, by law, must have fire drills on a regular, monthly basis, but I am embarrassed to say that our family has not talked about a fire escape plan once.
Am I alone, or has your family made a fire escape plan? I’d love to know.
Until then, I’m sharing these resources with everyone I know. I’d love if you did the same.
Okay–now let’s get to the giveaway!
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GIVEAWAY: One iPad Mini 2 (32GB), retail value $319!
Do you want to win an iPad Mini 2 (32GB), retail value $319, so that you can enjoy the Sparky Brain Buster app with your family on a new device!??! Yes, yes you do.
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Please use the Rafflecopter widget below to throw your name in the hat:
This giveaway ends Friday, October 9, 2015 at midnight ET and is open to folks here in the US only. Winner will be chosen by ‘Rafflecopter’ and will be notified on or around 10/09/15. Winner must respond within three (3) days of notification or forfeit the prize, in which case an alternate winner will be selected. All Official Sweepstakes Rules apply.
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fyi: This post was written as a partnership with NFPA and WeAreTeachers, but as always, my opinions are my own, influenced only by my experience as a parent and educator.
What an awesome resource. And a FANTASTIC giveaway!!!!
I would give it to my nieces.
My daughter would use the books. We would keep it!
I would use the books for my son and we would keep this IPad for A great learning tool!!
Shared this giveaway on my Facebook page!
Here is the link from yesterday
https://www.facebook.com/julie.wood.5015/posts/686689891462020
Thanks for Sharing. I would love to win.
i will use it the books with my family and my family childcare. I WILL KEEP IT FOR MYSELF.
I would use these books in my preschool classroom. We used a lot of them when my kids were little.
i would totally keep this!
My other iPad is super old and this would be the upgrade I need.
thank you for the chance to win.
I would give the iPad mini to my husband for traveling. It would be perfect for keeping him entertained.
I would keep the iPad for myself. I’ve always wanted a tablet, and so far only my kids have had the luxury!
i WOULD GIVE THE IPAD TO MY YOUNGEST CHILD.
I think I will keep it I have been wanting an iPad for a while now.
Shared it with one of my good friends.
I’d keep it so I could do my homework and school assignments on it
I would use this in my first grade classroom!
I would keep it and use it for classes
We would keep it. My daughter would use it;)
It would be the family tablet for everyone to enjoy. This would be immensely awesome on long car rides.
I will give it to my boyfriend, He’s such a sweet heart he deserves it.
We would use the iPad mini in our homeschool for a variety of inline research and lessons like language and learning new songs on violin and research into topics of interest and, of course, the fire safety lessons. Thanks so much for this post…after lots of fires in our area of late, we are keen to get ourselves and our kids up to date with a plan for fire and earthquakes. Thanks for the resources and inspiration!
I sent an email to my sister sharing your giveaway!
Name of sister Karen Glatt
I would give it to my son
This would be for my son!
I love the original iPad, but it’s so heavy. The mini would be so much easier to use.
I am so going to look into these for educating our family!
I would keep this for myself.
My son would use it
I have 2 wonderful little boys who have Autism. my oldest would love to use it to help with his communication needs (he is non-verbal).
I would give it to my son to watch Netflix and play games.
I would give this ipad to my mom so that she can look online for recipes and upload pictures and check email!
I shared your giveaway on Facebook with my friend Julie cutshaw
https://www.facebook.com/julie.wood.5015/posts/687490148048661
I would give it to my daughter!
I would keep the tablet for myself..or rather for my family to share.
I would give this to my son for Christmas!
I will be keeping this ipad for myself. I would love to win it!!!
Shared it via Facebook
I would keep the ipad for my two kid’s to use.
I Would Gift This to my niece .
I would give it to one of my daughters
I would like to give this to my mom.
i would give it to my dad
i would give it to my son who I know would enjoy it!
I would keep it, but I’m sure my kids would try to use it too.
This would be a great birthday present for my husband.
I would so keep this!
I’d keep it for myself and use it to play games, browse the INternet, and listen to music. Thanks.
partymix25(at)Hotmail(dot)com
I like to have it too.
If I won I would give it to my son. I would also play on it some too 🙂 .
My nephew would be the one using it! he would be so excited.
I would Give it to my mother, she uses her ancient iphone to view everything from pictures of her grandchildren to articles.
If I won, I will be giving this Ipad to my son. It has been on his wish list for some time 🙂
My kids will use it for learning games!
I would keep it and I would use it myself
I would keep it and my kids and I would all enjoy it
I would give this my niece and thank you for the chance to win it for her.
I shared this with all my facebook friends.
https://www.facebook.com/tom.murphy.946179/posts/958868570850846?pnref=story
I would use it to enter giveaways!
I would definitely keep the iPad Mini 2 for myself.
I would keep this iPad Mini 2 for my kids to use to do some of the online homework that they need to accomplish here at home.
I would share with my grand kids when they are over.
We would use it for schooling, and I would also love to use it for cooking in the kitchen! Would be great for when I am trying a new recipe online!
I would give this to my boyfriend; he uses an iPad for work when he travels, and his is old and bluky compared to this one.
MY SON WOULD USE THE iPAD 🙂
I shared this with all my facebook friends
https://www.facebook.com/tom.murphy.946179/posts/959341650803538?pnref=story
would love to gift an ipad mini to my mom. She has wanted one forever!
Entered the Rafflecopter as “Wild Orchid
”Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com
I would keep the iPad for myself. Think I’ll have to fight with my son though!
I would definitely keep it for my kids and I to use. they love learning through computer games, and I love being able to use Apple apps.
I woudl keep it so my kids could play with it.
Shared on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betsy.r.barnes.9/posts/10153139251972393?pnref=story 🙂
my kids will be using it as i will be giving it to them as they need it
shared with my friend sherry
I would keep it and use it all the time!
i’d keep it for myself. I’ve been wanting an iPad forever.
What a fun giveaway! Would love to keep this for our family – we don’t have an ipad!
I shared this on facebook with all my friends
https://www.facebook.com/tom.murphy.946179/posts/959814480756255?pnref=story
I would keep this for myself as my 5-6 year old original iPad is on its last leg. Thanks for a great giveaway!
This is so awesome! I would definitely keep this and use it for my pre-nursing studies, I think it would be extremely helpful! I would also share it with my Nana who loves to play games and read!
I would keep it for me – GREAT FOR EMAIL and watching movies.
I will keep this for myself to play games on
I would share this with my husband. It would be great to take on our travels, also!
I would keep it for myself – always wanted one!!
We’d love this as a resource for homeschooling!! it would be incredibly helpful!
I shared this on facebook with all my friends
https://www.facebook.com/tom.murphy.946179/posts/960720497332320?pnref=story
I would keep the ipad mini. My current one is broken and only works occasionally so i’ve been hoping to get a new one soon.
I would give this to my son so he can facetime his grandparents and play games.
I would give it to my daughter. She’s been wanting a new iPad.
I would keep this for myself. I would love an ipad.
I shared this on facebook with all my friends
https://www.facebook.com/tom.murphy.946179/posts/961149807289389?pnref=story
Shared on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betsy.r.barnes.9/posts/10153144066187393 🙂
I would love a new ipad mini for e-reading and all of the great apps!
I would keep this and give my husband my current one!
Shared on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betsy.r.barnes.9/posts/10153145416132393?pnref=story 🙂
I shared this on facebook with all my friends
https://www.facebook.com/tom.murphy.946179/posts/961576920580011?pnref=story
I would keep it for myself. I have wanted a chance to try the mini size ipads!
I would keep this for myself because I have a broken tablet.
It would be for my daughter! She’s been wanting an iPad 🙂
I would give it to my husband so he can look up sports. I have my IPad 2 docked for music and like to keep it there.
I shared this on facebook with all my friends
https://www.facebook.com/tom.murphy.946179/posts/962042487200121?pnref=story
I Shared with all my facebook friends https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10205007656818791&id=1463222793&pnref=story
My teenage son would use this.
i would probably keep it for my self and hand the “old” one down to my daughter
I would put this away for Christmas. My son would love to see this under the tree.
I would gift it to my 5 year old daughter, she has autism and there are so many apps out these day to help her communicate.
I would love to give this to my oldest son! He would love to read books, play Minecraft, and watch Netflix on it!
I’d keep it for our family to share
Thanks for the chance
I shared this on facebook with all my friends
https://www.facebook.com/tom.murphy.946179/posts/962506547153715?pnref=story
I’ll keep this for myself.
I’d keep this for me! I don’t have a laptop, so this would kind of be my “pseudo” laptop because browsing on my phone is not ideal.
I shared this on facebook with all my friends
https://www.facebook.com/tom.murphy.946179/posts/962981423772894?pnref=story
I would give this to my youngest son. He really likes apple products. Thank you
I would keep it and share it with my sister. And I would use it studying,reading,watching videos, internet access and all the different apps:)
I shared here:https://plus.google.com/u/0/104668450168435059018/posts/EhvtmgQ9M7k Thanks for the chance:)
I would love to give it to my kids!
this would be a perfect holiday gift for my four year old daughter!
This would be for my deployed husband.
I would probably give it as a gift, not sure yet who would be the lucky recipient…?
I would give it to my grandson so he could use it for school or watch movies on it.
I will keep this!
I shared this on facebook with all my friends
https://www.facebook.com/tom.murphy.946179/posts/963411543729882?pnref=story
i will want to win this for myself so I can use it for my studies and i am thinking about going to nursing school and having things on the go with my sons football games and such i will have something to do as well as take pictures..
I would definitely be keeping this to use with my 3 children.
I would keep it 🙂
My father is a teacher at a school with less than adequate resources. I’d give it to him to use in the classroom. I know those kiddos need it and would appreciate it!
I would keep the ipad mini for myself!
I shared this on facebook with all my friends
https://www.facebook.com/tom.murphy.946179/posts/963845010353202?pnref=story
I have 5 kids – of course I’ll share it with them!
My kids broke my last one so I’m keeping it!
that’s a tough call — maybe I would share it… just maybe.
this would be perfect for my school I’m in dental school currently.
I would keep the ipad mini for myself!
I’d keep it for our family to share
Thanks for the chance
My FB share: https://www.facebook.com/betsy.r.barnes.9/posts/10153153570242393 🙂
I shared this on facebook with all my friends
https://www.facebook.com/tom.murphy.946179/posts/964280433642993?pnref=story