U.S. Schools Find Lessons in Tsunami

Generosity, Geography Are Among Them

By Andrew Trotter , Vaishali Honawar and Jessica L. Tonn

The earthquake and resulting tsunami that wracked coastlines along the Indian Ocean and killed an estimated 150,000 people or more prompted generosity and classroom lessons in U.S. schools last week.

As schools reopened after the holiday break, students and teachers were talking about the Dec. 26 temblor that struck western Indonesia and the devastating effects. Flags were flying at half-staff to honor the dead, relief money was being raised, and science and social studies classes were seeking to understand the natural disaster and its long-term implications for human welfare.

Teachers on Christmas vacation had ample time before classes resumed to reflect on how to address the catastrophe—and to gauge the appropriate presentation for...