I Can Stay Safe During a Tornado Drill Social Skills Story Special Education

Help your students stay calm, confident, and prepared during tornado drills with this clear and reassuring tornado drill social story. This child-friendly story walks students through exactly what will happen, what they should do, and how grown-ups keep them safe. Perfect for preschool, kindergarten, first grade, second grade, and SPED classrooms.

If your students struggle with loud noises, unexpected changes, transitions, or emergency procedures, this social story gives them the visuals and language they need to feel secure.

What’s Included

This printable includes both full color and black and white versions (great for coloring or ink-saving):

✔ A simple kid-friendly explanation of what a tornado drill is

✔ What to do when the teacher announces the drill (page 8: stopping, listening, following directions)

✔ How to walk quietly to a safe place (page 9)

✔ How to sit safely and make their body small (page 9)

✔ Putting their head down and covering it (page 10)

✔ Understanding that noises and crowds might happen and that adults are keeping them safe (page 11)

✔ Using a quiet voice and calm body (page 12)

✔ Knowing when the drill is over and returning to learning (page 13)

✔ Ending with positive reinforcement to build confidence (page 14)

Why Teachers Love This Resource

Teachers report that rehearsing a tornado drill through a social story dramatically reduces:

• anxiety during drills

• noise levels

• confusion about expectations

• behaviors caused by uncertainty

The calm, predictable language and clear visuals help students understand:

✔ What will happen

✔ Why it’s happening

✔ What their job is

✔ That they are safe

This makes your tornado drill practice smoother for everyone.

Perfect For

• Special Education
• Autism support
• Whole-class safety lessons
• Social Emotional Learning
• Behavior support plans
• Counseling sessions
• Small group or one-on-one instruction
• School safety week

Print, Read, and Go

Just print, read aloud, and discuss. Use the color version for classroom teaching and the black and white version for student copies, coloring, or take-home practice.