Grades 6-8 Life Skills Activities

	Dance
Before:	Make a list of the planning and preparations made in their community prior to the hurricane.
During:	Observe the effects of the storm at their home and write a journal entry predicting how the community’s preparations should have prevented damage to schools, playgrounds, and theatres.
After:	Assess the actual damage or non-damage of the specific areas above, creating a movement sequence of gathering (before the storm), dispersing (during the storm), and repairing (after the storm) by exaggerating movements so that they are either larger or smaller than life. The movement sequence should be repeatable.
	Drama and Theater
Before:	Assess the planning and preparations made in their community prior to the hurricane. Discussion questions: Who serves the community during the hurricanes? Who is ultimately responsible for notifying the public of hurricanes? Who do elderly people call to arrange transportation to a shelter?
During:	Observe, research, and reflect on the hurricane experiences in their community. Discussion questions: In your community, were people well prepared for the hurricane? Where is the safest place to be during a hurricane? What immediate preparations must be completed before a hurricane?
After:	What was the community’s level of preparedness for the storm and make recommendations for improving readiness in the event of another storm. Discussion questions: What recommendations do you have to better prepare the community for the next hurricane? How would you go about disseminating the information to the community? Do you have any recommendations for additional services which need to be provided to the community?
	Music
Before:	Assess the planning and preparations made in their community prior to the hurricane. Students will gather materials to compose a Rap Song.
During:	Write the lyrics to a rhythmic musical piece with an emphasis on the strong beat. The lyrics will rhyme in couplets. The theme will be a reflection of their hurricane experiences.
After:	Evaluate their community’s level of preparedness for the storm and make recommendations for improving readiness in the event of another storm. They will compose a rhythmic accompaniment to their Rap Song by clapping, knee-slapping, foot stomping, etc.
	Physical Education
Before:	Create a two day menu of healthy food items referencing the food pyramid.  Students will also develop a list of physical activities that can be performed indoors to help maintain their level of fitness and relieve stress.
During:	Think about the value of proper nutrition and daily physical activity.  Students will perform daily activities such as curl-ups, jogging in place, push-ups, lunges, and other activities to keep physically active.  A log of activities for students and family members should be kept daily.
After:	Do exercises and activities that promote cardiovascular endurance such as: run in place, lunges, step-ups, crunches and high knee lifts.