Wildfire Prevention Conducting School Programs Guide - National ...

Junior high school
What you should know
The typical junior high school student is experiencing an awkward
stage of adjustment and development. These youngsters are
undergoing the mental and physical challenges of adolescence.
This age group is not only impressionable and creative but also
inconsistent. Anyone teaching this age group must be alert and
flexible to cope with its challenging behavior patterns. These
youngsters are inclined to react spontaneously and somewhat
unpredictably to changes in classroom situations. In spite of all this,
these children are probably the most rewarding of all to instruct.
Seventh through ninth graders are interested in the things that affect
them. Therefore, it is critical that natural resource and fire prevention
education relate directly to the audience or to some other interest that
is important to them. Responsibility and dollars do not get their
attention.
Presentation techniques
Show how wildland resource losses from fires affect them. Make the
presentation relate to their world and teenage interests. Describe fire
prevention step-by-step with unfolding drama on their terms. Explain
what fires can do to them and their future. Cite examples of recent
local or regional fires they may have seen or heard about.
Increase the presentation effectiveness by meeting the students' needs.
Ideally, any effort to extend fire prevention programs into junior high
schools should be approached from a curriculum standpoint. In other
words,relate the presentation to the specific class.
12 – Junior High School CONDUCTING SCHOOL PROGRAMS –GUIDE