by Alicia Cyr Stenard (Author), Greg Matusic (Illustrator)
"How do I teach my students a lockdown drill without fear?"
As a kindergarten teacher I struggled with teaching my students the procedures of a lockdown drill. I knew they needed to react quickly and quietly, but I worried about frightening them. Being prepared is essential, but it wasn't necessary to put terrifying images into their minds for them to take the drills seriously.
I became frustrated at the lack of materials available that would protect my students from being traumatized by the implications of a lockdown drill. As a teacher, that reality was difficult enough, but it felt wrong to place that emotional burden on my students.
I decided to write my own lockdown story. It worked like a charm My story created a sense of urgency, without creating a sense of fear.
The Elephant in the Room: A Lockdown Story is a frolicking tale of circus animals, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and a fun-loving teacher.
In this book children are protected from the harsh realities of lockdown drills while learning life-saving procedures.