No Prep Sub Plans: Natural Disasters — Heatwave | Emergency Prep Series

No Prep Sub Plans: Natural Disasters — Heatwave
Research + Group Project | Emergency Prep Series
Help students explore the dangers of extreme heat and build real-world safety awareness with this engaging, no-prep lesson focused on heatwaves and emergency preparedness.
In this collaborative activity, students research heatwaves and create a practical Emergency Preparedness Plan outlining what to do before, during, and after an extreme heat event.
This resource is part of the Emergency Prep Series—designed to combine inquiry, collaboration, and real-life problem-solving in a highly engaging classroom format.

What Students Will Learn
Students will:
- Understand what defines a heatwave and why cities can become “heat islands”
- Learn the difference between: - Heat exhaustion
- Heat stroke

- Explore who is most at risk during extreme heat
- Investigate cooling centers and community safety strategies
- Create a realistic emergency preparedness plan for a family during a heatwave
- Present and justify the most important safety step in their plan

What’s Included
- ✔️ Teacher Direction Page (sub-friendly timeline format)
- ✔️ Student Research + Planning Organizer (Color)
- ✔️ Black & White version (printer-friendly)
- ✔️ Structured group project framework
- ✔️ Reflection + discussion opportunities

About the Emergency Prep Series
The Emergency Prep Series helps students investigate natural disasters and extreme weather events through:
- Inquiry-based research
- Collaborative planning
- Real-life preparedness scenarios
Each lesson challenges students to think:
👉 “What would we actually do in this situation?”

Why Teachers Love This
- No prep required
- Easy for substitutes to implement
- Strong student engagement
- Structured teamwork and discussion
- Practical, meaningful learning experience