LISTENING LESSON PLAN

BACKGROUND:

Note:*This lesson is part of an on-going (perhaps day-long, or week-long) emphasis on safety. An elementary teacher is with her/his class all day long. The issue of the accident can be addressed in several ways, ie: (1) in science class we could discuss bones and what happens when they are broken; (2) in art class, we might use the time to design and create personal cards for the children to send to the injured boy.

The purpose of this lesson is to improve the students' listening comprehension and to help them to understand safety instructions.

LEVEL:

OBJECTIVES:

1. Students will recognize and be able to explain words used in various commands.
2. Students will listen and respond to behavioral commands.
3. Students will demonstrate their understanding by participating in the activity.
4. Students will demonstrate their understanding of traffic safety rules and crossing signs and signals.
5. Students will be able to identify safe crossing locations.
6. 6. Students will be able to identify and use the safety vocabulary words.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

1. Crossing guard vest
2. Stop sign carried by crossing guards
3. Pictures of a stop light...showing red, yellow, and green
4. Pictures of crossing light....showing the Walk and Don't Walk symbols.

ACTIVITY MATERIALS:

1. A list of commands for the teacher
2. A CD player or a cassette recorder for background music.
3. A cassette or CD of marching music.
4. Clear the activity area of tables and chairs. (Move them to the side of the room, leaving the center area clear for the activity.)

APPLICATION MATERIALS:

1. A map of all the streets surrounding the school for 6 blocks in all directions. (NOTE: All of the children in your class actually live in this 36-block geographical area.)
2. Color crayons or markers for each child.

   WARM UP / REVIEW:

   
   Greet the class. Ask students, "Who remembers what happened last Thursday to Juan Gomez?" Fill in the details that the students fail to bring up. Tell them that you have spoken with Juan's mother this morning and that she wants all of you to know that Juan is going to be ok. His leg is broken and his arm has several cuts that required the doctors to put in stitches. Tell them that Juan's doctor said that Juan should be able to come back to school in another two to three weeks.

   INTRODUCTION:

   
   Display copies of crossing signs. Display a bright orange vest that the crossing guards wear....put it on. Explain the duty of a crossing guard. Tell the students that today's class will be about safety. Stress the need for safety for the person who is walking.

   PRESENTATION:

   
   Define the words rule and law Ask the class to explain the need for rules. Discuss why rules are important. Discuss why following instructions is very important.Introduce "safety" vocabulary words. e.g.:
   • Crossing guard
   • Vest
   • Intersection
   • Crosswalk
   • Stop
   • Wait
   • Look
   • Directions (left, right)
   • Safety
   • Accident
   • Hurt/Injury
   • Rules/Laws
   • Traffic light
   • Crossing light
   • Walk / Don't Walk Symbols

     ACTIVITY:

     
     Materials: Listed at beginning of lesson plan.
     Time Needed: 15 - 30 minutes

     Procedure: Follow the steps listeed below

     1. Have the children form a circle. Turn on the "marching" music. While the music is playing, have the children march in a clock-wise direction. Tell them that they should continue to march and when you turn off the music, they are supposed to STOP and OBEY whatever command you give them. As soon as the music is switched off, give a command, e.g.:"Stand together in groups of five"
     2. Step #2: After the students have sorted themselves into groups, the music continues and everybody again forms a circle and begins marching to the music. Give commands that are just "fun" things to do until the children are really actively involved in the activity. Then, switch to the "safety" commands. Continue this order of marching and stopping when a command is given until all of the "safety" commands have been learned.

     Possible commands:

     • Shake hands with as many people as possible
     • Form a group with people who are as tall as you are.
     • Stand together in groups of four and sing a song.
     • Find a person who has the same color eyes that you have.

     Safety Commands:
     

     • Stop
     • Hold hands with someone and walk across the room together.
     • Stand by the person wearing the crossing guard vest.
     • Turn around and go in the opposite direction.
     • Look to the left and then to the right.
     • Turn to the left and walk five steps.
     • Everybody yell "Stop, it isn't safe yet!
     • With a partner, go the blackboard and draw a picture of the intersection in front of the school. Be sure to draw in the lines for the crosswalk.
     • Walk with your partner and return to your seats.

     EVALUATION:

     
     Allow students to demonstrate their understanding of "safety" vocabulary in class discussion about the preceding activity. Students will be given a drawing of the six block area surrounding the school. Using only one color crayon/marker students will be asked to identify and color in the places that is safe for them to cross the street. They will be asked to draw a crossing guard at each safe place.

     APPLICATION:

     
     Students will be asked to use a different color crayon/marker to draw the path that they use to get to their own homes. "How do you walk home?" "Which streets do you have to cross to get to your own house?" They will be asked to count the number of times that they must cross a street between the school and their home.

     Discussion:

     
     How many streets do you have to cross to get home?
     Are there crossing guards on the corners?
     If there are, what will you do?
     If there are no crossing guards on your corner, what will you do?
     What are the rules to follow if there is no crossing guard?
     Teacher will answer every question about safety that the students have.

     END OF SCHOOL DAY: Staple a note to the picture that each child drew. The note should tell the parents about the accident that happened to Juan and about the safety lesson their child had today. The note should also encourage each parent to discuss the safety rules with their child.