FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
S
TATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
LINDA K. TAYLOR
John L. Winn
Commissioner of Education
February 20, 2006
M E M O R A N D U M
TO:
District School Superintendents
Elementary School Principals
FROM:
John L. Winn
SUBJECT:
Severe Weather-Themed Storybooks
Soon your elementary schools will be receiving copies of three severe weather-themed
storybooks intended to be read in the classroom by first, second, and third grade students.
While we cannot prevent severe weather, there is much each of us can do to prevent injury to
ss begins with each individual, no matter how
young. To that end, through a partnership with the Department of Community Affairs and the
Florida Department of Education, the Florida Division of Emergency Management has
commissioned these storybooks for children throughout the state.
The storybook for first graders, The Adventures of Rabbit, Possum, and Squirrel in The 30/30
Rule, teaches young children how they can protect themselves from lightning strikes. Professor
Tinkermeister and the Wacky, Whiz-Bang, Weather-Watching Wonder, allows the second grade
reader a chance to learn about and protect themselves from the powerful nature of thunderstorms
while traveling on a fantastic journey in a magical machine. In The Acorn Club, third graders
will learn about how they can create a Disaster Supply Kit for their families to prepare for a
hurricane. Each of these books was created at the appropriate reading level for each grade. The
science is presented in a matter-of-fact and non-threatening manner so as not to create undo fears
in our children.
325 W. GAINES STREET • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0505 • www.fldoe.org
Memo to District School Superintendents and Elementary School Principals
Page 2
Each of the books also comes with an accompanying guide for teachers and parents. Each guide
explains some of the science presented in the books and answers questions that children are
likely to have while reading the stories. The guides also explain how the books can be used to
help our children to become better readers. The guides can be found on-line at
http://www.FloridaDisaster.org/kids under “Teacher Planning.”
We hope you find the books and accompanying guides for teachers and parents helpful. Thank
you for your continued support in helping Florida’s children protect themselves from the hazards
of severe weather.
JLW