In the first lesson of the Lake County Cascading Hazards Unit, students read a poem written by a local fire survivor, and utilize a visualization practice to build personal resilience.
Context for Use
This lesson utilizes trauma-informed practices, creativity and visualization for students to begin thinking about difficult topics that may have personally impacted them in the past.
For more information on Trauma-Informed Practices, check out the HEART Force Trauma-Informed Practices & Mental Health Strategies to Foster Hope and Resilience page.
A home being rebuilt after the Valley Fire as part of the Hope City project in Lake County. Photo Credit: Lake County News
Goals Header
What Students Will Do
- To begin a unit on cascading hazards in Lake County, students will share their own experiences with hazards and/or traumatic events they’ve experienced.
- Students will use visualization practices to transform negative emotions from past events in order to increase psychological preparedness for future traumatic events.
Teaching Materials
Description
In this lesson, students will:
Part 1 – (30 minutes) The Unusual Pool
Read a poem written by a survivor of the Valley Fire who lost her home. Next, students write a brief reflection about the poem and their own experiences with a natural hazard or traumatic event in their lives.
Part 2 – (10 minutes) Visualizing the Past and Future
Participate in a visualization activity to remember a traumatic event in their life.
Part 3 – (10 minutes) Closing Activity
Do a quick stretch and share out, to get ready to transition to the next part of their day.
