Fire Prevention Week is observed annually in early October. What kid doesn't want to ride on a fire truck with the siren sounding? What kid isn't glued to the TV as a variety of news events focus on spectacular fires and the firefighters whose bravery and skills are displayed?

TV coverage of the recent anniversary of 9/11 and the drought-caused wildfires in the Western states, and a growing threat of arson provide the motivation for student to learn more about how fires are caused, the tools that are used to fight them, and the ways to help prevent them in our homes and communities.

Forest fires, wildfires, Smoke Jumpers, and Smokey the Bear are great topics for kids to investigate during Fire Prevention Week.

Activity: Let students observe Fire Prevention Week by researching topics that help them understand more about the challenges of fires to firefighters and their communities. Also help them build awareness of home safety strategies for preventing and escaping from fires.

Teachers are always interested in saving valuable classroom and library time while integrating technology into the curriculum. Rolling carts of appropriate print materials to each classroom was (and still is in some schools) the traditional way of doing this.

Now with eLibrary Elementary BookCarts, the work is easier thanks to a digital equivalent of this strategy. BookCarts provide resources, but they also provide guidance in the use of those resources for students. Check out the new BookCart tool (see illustration on page 4.)

The good news is that ProQuest has rolled these two carts to your classroom door: "Fire Prevention and Safety," and "Fighting Forest Fires." You can copy and use these immediately with your students:

• Click the ProQuest Carts tab > Elementary BookCarts folder > Scroll to FIRE titles
• Select the Copy icon next to the titles listed above > Return to My Local Carts
• Edit the BookCart to remove "Copy of" from its title and include yourself as the Author

Each has four essential questions for critical thinking to guide their research. Each has a place for you to include specific information that you want them to know about the assignment.

Oral reports of two minutes (or PowerPoint if appropriate) are an excellent way for students to learn presentation skills and share what they have learned with their classmates. Students should use at least two of the resources to answer at least two of the essential questions.

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