Helping Children Cope with Natural Disasters: Archived Resources

The following resources are related to past events and may serve as a useful reference or historical record for educators and other professionals.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes in Iran/Iraq and Mexico

Resources

• Managing Distress About an Earthquake from Afar (American Psychological Association) | Spanish version
• What You Should Know About Earthquakes (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
• Guidance for School Personnel: Students Who had a Loved One Die in an Earthquake
• Talking to Children about Earthquakes & Other Natural Disasters (American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry)

Headlines: Iran/Iraq

• Iran-Iraq Earthquake Kills More Than 500 (The New York Times)

Headlines: Mexico

• In Earthquake Aftermath, It's Uncertain When Kids in Mexico Will Return to School (NPR)
• How to Help the Victims of the Central Mexican Earthquake (Huffington Post)
• Powerful 7.1 Earthquake Will Test Mexico's Emergency Response (PBS NewsHour)

Hurricanes

Hurricane Maria: Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands

• In Puerto Rico, frustrated parents wonder when schools will reopen. It may be a while (Miami Herald)
• School Districts Ready to Enroll Puerto Rican Students Affected By Hurricane Maria (Education Week)
• U.S. Schools Brace for an Influx of Students from Puerto Rico (NPR)
• Re-Opening Puerto Rico's Schools Takes a Back Seat to Island's Basic Needs (Education Week)
• How You Can Help Hurricane Victims in Puerto Rico (PBS NewsHour)
• How to Help Mexico and Puerto Rico (Latino USA)
• Hurricane Maria Could Send Wave of Puerto Rican Students to Miami (Miami Herald)

Hurricane Irma

Resources for Affected Families & Educators

• Help Educators Affected by Hurricane Irma (NEA, AFT, and Florida Education Association)
• Hurricane Irma: How to Help (Save the Children)
• How to Help Hurricane Irma Victims — and How to Avoid Scams (The New York Times)

Related Headlines: Irma

• As Hurricane Irma Lashes Florida, Educators and Schools Offer Refuge (Education Week)
• Power 'Is the Number One Problem' for Florida Schools Trying to Re-Open (Education Week)

Hurricane Harvey

Resources for Affected Families & Educators

• Hurricane Harvey: Resources for Educators (American Federation of Teachers)
• Hurricane Harvey: Resources and Relief (National Education Association)
• Hurricane Harvey: Bilingual Resources List for Immigrant Families (United We Dream)
• Tips for Parents: Helping Kids Cope with Hurricane Harvey (Save the Children)
• How To Help Your Children Cope After Hurricane Harvey (Forbes)
• What You Should Know About Floods and Hurricanes (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
• Understanding Child Traumatic Stress (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
• American Academy of Pediatrics' Statement on Hurricane Harvey

How You Can Help

• Houston Independent School District Foundation
• National groups can donate supplies to HISD students and families (HISD Blog)
• Here's How You Can Help Libraries and Schools Affected by Hurricane Harvey (International Literacy Association Daily)
• The latest on Hurricane Harvey and how you can help (PBS NewsHour)

Classroom Resources & Booklists

• How Media Literacy Can Help Talk About Hurricane Harvey with Students (Share My Lesson / PBS NewsHour)
• Learning About Hurricane Harvey and Ideas for Supporting Those Affected (Larry Ferlazzo)
• Hurricane Harvey Book Club (Facebook Group via Larry Ferlazzo)
• Houston Teacher's Reading Group Comforts Students in Hurricane Aftermath (Education Week)
• Hurricane Harvey Hits Texas (Scholastic News for Kids)
• Talk to Your Kids About Hurricanes (Scholastic Parents)
• Lesson Plans: Coping with Natural Disasters (Share My Lesson)
• Recommended Children's Books About Hurricanes (ThoughtCo)
• Remembering Hurricane Katrina: 15 Moving Books for Kids of All Ages (Brightly)

Related Headlines: Harvey

• Schools Reopen in Houston, Buoying Hope for Recovery (The Washington Post)
• As Students Return to School, the Future of Houston ISD Hangs in the Balance (Houston Chronicle)
• School Closings From Harvey Threaten Disruption Across Texas (The New York Times)
• Houston School Superintendent Says A Lot Of Work Ahead To Open Schools (NPR)
• A School Counselor Takes To The Floodwaters To Rescue His Students And Their Families (NPR)
• The DACA Hero (and Victim) of Hurricane Harvey (Latino USA)