Script: Welcome, everyone! Here in Ingenia we are always working to make sure people are safe, especially in our urban, or city, locations. There are lots of people and technologies that help us stay safe. Can you think of some? [crossing guard, police, firefighter, traffic signals, signage, etc.]
Today, you’ll help us as Assistant Urban Designers working to create new signals that will notify people of safe, and dangerous, situations. Urban Designers work in all different kinds of urban, or city, places to ensure everyone living there is safe, healthy, and happy. They often introduce new technologies, give advice, and research the needs and wants of people in the community. An important part of their job is to design ways for places to be safer. To start learning about signals and safety, let’s play a game!
Engage students in the game Red Light, Green Light using either the words “red light” and “green light.” or pieces of colored paper. Establish a play zone where students can move safely and quickly.
As needed, review the stoplight colored signals: Red means stop; green means go.
NOTE: This game may be best played in a gym or outside.
*For further instructions and ideas for variations or modifications, see the Playworks webpage.
Students will learn about different ways people use signals for safety. Then, they will design their own signal using craft materials.
Materials: for the class
10 min Script: Have you ever tried to cross a busy street? How do you know when it is safe to cross? [accept all responses]. People use different kinds of signals to share important information. A signal could be something you see or hear, and it could use both! Today, we’re going to learn about the different types of signals people use to keep others safe, like the crosswalk signal. What other situations use a signal? [accept all responses. Common responses may include: STOP; Caution: Falling Rocks; Poison - skull and bones; No fires; bells and lights warning of an approaching vehicle/train; stoplight, etc.]
5 min Explain the matching game.
10 min Distribute the signal cards and play the game.
5 min After all students have matched and created an action or movement, invite each pair to share their signal and action with the class.
10 min Lead a class discussion using the following questions:
Students will use the examples of signals learned in the previous section as inspiration as they design their own warning signal for a situation or event of their choice.
5 min Script: Now that we’ve learned about some common signals people use, as an Assistant Safety Officer you are going to design your own. First, you’ll have to think about an event or situation that could use a safety signal. Then, you’ll think about what that safety signal should look and/or sound like. You can use any of the materials here (display materials) to design your safety signal.
25 min Dismiss students to design their safety signals.
5 min Gather students together once safety signals have been created. Have students turn and talk using the following questions:
5 min Script: We’ve been learning about different ways people can signal, or communicate, with each other. In this video, kids are using flashlights to send signals. Let’s watch!
5 min Watch: https://kcts9.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/buac18-k2-sci-ps-communicatelight/communicating-with-light/ (©2018 WGBH Educational Foundation. All Rights Reserved.)
5 min Discuss: Lead a discussion about light signals:
Students can design a safety signal to use at home. Have students think about a common problem at their home (e.g., baby siblings climbing out of a crib; refrigerator door being left open; hot stove; etc.). Then, students can draw and write about a design for a signal that would help ensure safety and solve that problem.
