Chris+Lorenz+-+Traffic+Lesson

Lesson Title: Traffic Dangers Grade Level: Middle School – Social Studies Unit: Problem Based Learning and Technology Content Standards: Colorado Geography Content Standard 5.1 5.1 Students know how human actions modify the physical environment. • describing ways that humans depend upon, adapt to, and affect the physical environment. ISTE NETS: Instructional Objective: Students study the traffic patterns on Holly street in front of the school in order to determine why there have been several automobile – student accidents and how they can be prevented in the future. Ongoing assessment: Each student group will conference with the teacher on a daily basis to make sure they are staying on the right track. The teacher will provide some assistance when needed to keep the discussion productive. Accommodations: Students will be grouped in heterogeneous groups so that each group can utilize the strengths of different members.
 * GOALS:**
 * 1) Creativity and innovation
 * 2) Communication and collaboration
 * 3) Research and Information fluency
 * 4) Critical thinking and problem solving
 * Action:**
 * 1) To introduce this lesson, the teacher will begin by discussing the fact that in the recent past, several students at our school have been hit by cars in front of the school. Although none of the students was seriously injured, it may only be a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt or killed. The class will have a discussion about the students who have been injured and the details about the accidents. This will allow students to not only connect personally to the problem, but also to discuss how they happened.
 * 2) Next, the teacher will explain that as part of a unit of study, we are going to be gathering some data on the accidents and on the traffic patterns in front of the schools. After gathering data, it will be the students who will devise possible solutions for making the traffic in front of the school safer for students.
 * 3) The research gathering process will involve finding the details of the accidents (time of day, etc.) and also using video to record what is going on before and after school. Once the data is gathered and video taken, students work in groups to analyze the data. Each group will come up with one or two problems that they believe are contributing to or causing the accidents.
 * 4) Once each group has analyzed the data, they will come up with ideas on possible ways to reduce accidents in front of the school. Each group will discuss and come up with at least two possible solutions to the problems identified in step 3.
 * 5) Once each group has identified problems and several solutions, they will need to the resources they would need to implement their solutions.
 * 6) Finally, students will present to their solutions to the appropriate person or organization who could potentially make changes to fix the problem.
 * Monitor:**
 * Evaluation:** Each group will be evaluated on their data analysis of the accidents and why they are happening, their potential solutions, and their communication to their person or group who has the authority to make the changes necessary to improve safety.

Hi Chris, I think this is an excellent lesson. It reflects a concern of the community and may actually benefit students in your school in the long run. Not only will students be learning their content, but they will learn about the importance of being proactive and fighting to make a difference for something you believe in. Also, it will demonstrate how with research and statistics, that they can make a difference and help change occur.

A few questions: How will students research the prior accidents? Newspaper archives, police reports? How will they gather the data? Observation? Police officer guest speaker?

I found your lesson quick, simple, and effective. Well done! Lynne

Chris- This is a serious problem to have students work up solutions to, well done!
 * How will the present these findings?? Could students organize them on a tri-fold poster? Make a brochure?
 * Can you make any connection with your language arts teacher for a writing assignment and connect to their persuasive unit?

I just thought these brainstorms might help with the upcoming lessons. Good luck! I can't wait to see the next lesson in the unit! ~Meghan

Chris, This is a great problem - it is relevant to the students and it is something that they can present solutions to in order to have great class discussion. I have one question - is this a real situation for your school? One aspect you could add is asking students to interview those who had witnessed the accidents. Perhaps you could ask a local Department of Transportation official to come and speak or to share in an online format the ways that traffic is often redirected so students are familiar with some other situations where traffic problems have been corrected. Anna Marie