Risk Watch - Level Pre-K and K
Risk Watch is recommended to support the Kindergarten curriculum across Canada in addressing personal safety and injury prevention.
Description
Author : Andy Halper
National Fire Protection Association
, 1998
Print, 125 pages, colour, loose pages with binder, hardcover
Grades : JK-K
Concepts : Injury prevention, safety, risk management, emergency services, fire safety, motor vehicle safety, bicycle safety, pedestrian safety, water safety, choking, firearms, falls
Subjects : Health and Physical Education, Language, Science
CSC Evaluation
Curriculum Correlation
Risk Watch supports the Kindergarten curriculum across Canada in addressing personal safety and injury prevention.
Content
Risk Watch provides young learners with information and develops their decision-making skills for responding appropriately to personal safety and injury prevention situations. The program is presented through eight themes: motor vehicle safety; fire and burn prevention; poisoning prevention; falls prevention; firearms injury prevention; bike and pedestrian safety; water safety; and choking, suffocation, and strangulation prevention. In each of the lessons, students take the role of "Storyteller," using stories to determine safety risks and strategies to remain safe. The purpose, intent, and instructions for using this learning resource are clearly outlined in the introduction and in the teacher instructional video. The material for students is clear and easy to follow. The resource includes links to Language Arts and the Arts, e.g., oral presentations, poems, songs, and finger plays.
Methodology
Risk Watch provides numerous opportunities for large-group, teacher-led learning. The activities are designed to be developmentally appropriate and engaging for young learners in kindergarten through the use of interactive stories, games, finger plays, and posters. There are opportunities for students to discuss their learning for each of the eight safety themes and then to consolidate and practise safety skills through three application activities. Cooperative learning and problem-solving are focuses for supporting the learning. Each theme identifies a home and community link. Included are suggestions for accessing service organizations such as police, fire, and health organizations, and information and resources to apply the learning both at school and at home. Some extension activities are also suggested.
Assessment
The learning resource includes a fourteen-question, circle-the-right-picture test that can be used for determining student understanding. The lesson activities and the Risk Watch in Action culminating activities also provide assessment opportunities.
Format
Risk Watch contains print materials and a teacher instructional video. The components are well organized and intuitive to use. Each safety theme has its own entry and exit points and can be used individually or together as a group of lessons. The themes are presented on cardstock and contained in a binder for durability and ease of use.
Bias
This learning resource is presented from a balanced perspective. Although a number of American examples are used, Canadian references are made through statistics, data, resources, and agencies listed.
Review Recommendation
Risk Watch is recommended to support the Kindergarten curriculum across Canada in addressing personal safety and injury prevention.
Contact Information
Art Pullan
Public Education - Canada
100 Strowger Blvd., Suite 107
Brockville, ON K6V 5J9
613-498-6247 ext. 100
e-mail: art.pullan@firesafetycouncil.com
Chris Slosser
Media Relations & Public Education
Office of the Fire Marshal
5775 Yonge St., 7th Floor
Toronto, ON M2M 4J1
416-325-3120
e-mail: chris.slosser@ontario.ca
Read the publisher's description of this resource
Note: These learning resources are recommended by Curriculum Services Canada. However, such a recommendation is of the resource only and should not be construed as a general recommendation of the developer of such a resource or the developer's business or related activities. While CSC recommends a resource on pedagogical grounds, the end user is fully responsible for its use.