Stay Alert!

Main Curriculum Connection:  Grade 4 Science 

Learning Objectives 

  1. To investigate different sounds in school neighbourhood
  2. To apply learnings to understand how neighbourhood sounds could impact pedestrian safety 

Resources Needed  

Location outside the school where students can listen for various sounds including traffic noises.

Instructions 

  1. Divide students into small groups 
  2. Outside the school, ask students to close their eyes and observe what they hear in the school neighbourhood and list as many sounds as they can in five minutes 
  3. Back in the classroom, ask students to: 
    1. Identify which sounds came from traffic and which sounds came from other sources. 
    2. Discuss in their small groups if any of the sounds could make it harder to listen for sounds of approaching vehicles.
    3. Discuss how different pedestrians might be impacted by the neighbourhood sounds (e.g., someone who is hearing impaired, someone wearing headphones/ earbuds, groups of people, etc.) 
    4. Ask students to brainstorm any extra precautions these people should take to stay safe as pedestrians .

Cross-curricular and Integrated Learning 

Students can  

  • Use mixed media to tell others about what they learned  
  • Write and deliver PA announcements to educate other students about what to wear to be a safe pedestrian