4th, 5th, 6th Grades  Project 4 weeks

"Park Smart: Safety at Dismissal"

Elise M
DA:Pr6.1.4.a
DA:Pr6.1.6.a
MS-PS2-1
Self Directed Learning
Academic Mindset
+ 1 more
1-pager

Purpose

Students will collaborate to design and implement a community-driven project aimed at enhancing safety during school dismissal. Through hands-on activities, they will explore concepts such as traffic flow, pedestrian safety, and community engagement. By applying Newton's Third Law, students will create innovative solutions to manage the motion of vehicles and pedestrians, while also transforming an informal setting into a formal performance space to present their findings. This project will foster self-directed learning, critical thinking, and a strong sense of identity and belonging as students engage with real-world challenges that impact their community.

Learning goals

Students will collaborate to design and implement a plan to enhance the safety of the school parking lot during dismissal, integrating community input and feedback. They will apply Newton's Third Law to develop solutions for managing the motion of vehicles and pedestrians, considering the dynamics of potential collisions. Through this project, students will establish a sense of place and belonging by engaging with their community, while developing critical thinking skills to address real-world challenges. Additionally, students will learn to adapt performance spaces creatively and apply performance etiquette, reflecting on feedback to improve their solutions and presentations.
Standards
  • [National Core Arts Standards] DA:Pr6.1.4.a - Consider how to establish a formal performance space from an informal setting (for example, gymnasium or grassy area).
  • [National Core Arts Standards] DA:Pr6.1.6.a - Recognize needs and adapt movements to performance area. Use performance etiquette and performance practices during class, rehearsal and performance. Post-performance, accept notes from choreographer and make corrections as needed and apply to future performances.
  • [Next Generation Science Standards] MS-PS2-1 - Apply Newton's Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects.
Competencies
  • Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
  • Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.

Products

Students will collaborate to design and present a comprehensive plan for a safer school dismissal process, incorporating community input and feedback. They will create a scaled model of the parking lot, demonstrating potential safety improvements, and perform a choreographed demonstration of the new dismissal procedure, adapting movements to the designated performance area. Additionally, students will produce a written report detailing their findings, solutions, and reflections on the project's impact on their sense of community and personal growth.

Launch

Begin the project by organizing a community walk-through of the school parking lot during dismissal time, involving students, teachers, parents, and local traffic safety officers. Students will observe and document current safety challenges and traffic patterns, taking notes and photos to identify potential hazards. Following the walk-through, facilitate a brainstorming session where students share their observations and initial ideas for improvement, fostering a collaborative environment for problem-solving.

Exhibition

Students will collaborate to design and present a community safety showcase in the school's gymnasium, transforming it into a formal performance space. They will choreograph a movement piece demonstrating safe dismissal practices, applying Newton's Third Law to illustrate the dynamics of pedestrian and vehicle interactions. The exhibition will include interactive stations where students share their innovative safety solutions and gather feedback from community members. This event will foster a sense of belonging and identity as students critically reflect on their contributions to community safety.