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Summary and Objective
Students will understand that the main source of fire fighting was the formation of a “Bucket Brigade”. They will view pictures of a warning alarm, fire bucket and fire engine. Through websites and books, students will read about the history and purpose of the fire buckets. As students participate in a mock “Bucket Brigade”, they will understand that it took a community to fight fires and save structures.
Teaching Plan
Step 1.
Introduce the topic with a class discussion on fire fighting. Who puts out the fires? What equipment do you need?
Step 2.
Use the three items from the digital collection and compare to modern day fire apparatus.
Step 3.
Using the websites below, teacher can read aloud or have students independently search the sites and answer teacher developed questions about fire fighting of the past.
Step 4.
Coordinate a “Bucket Brigade” on the playground. You will need two pails (one reads “well”, one reads “fire”), enough sturdy plastic cups for the students, and water.
Step 5.
Have the students form two lines facing each other and the pails at either end.
Step 6.
Ring a “warning alarm” sound to begin the brigade. One fills their cup and passes it along to the fire then the empty cups get passed back down the other side. The “fire” must be “put out” in the time allotted, i.e.: 3 minutes.
Step 7.
You may also want to make a mark in your “fire” pail with a line marking how much water is needed. Some groups might not accomplish this because of spillage, representing that they were not successful in “putting out" the fire. This demonstration shows the students that team work in the community helped fight fires and save structures.
Step 8.
As an extension, the following books may be of interest: F is for Firefighting by Dori Hillestad Butler, By Hook and Ladder: Story of Fire Fighting by John J. Loeper and Good Children Get Rewards: A Story of Colonial Times by Eva Moore.
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