Rail Activity Lesson Plans Kindergarten

Lesson Plans

www.parachutecanada.org

Around TrainsStaying Safe

Kindergarten - Grade 1



1


LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Railway signs in our community tell us where to safely cross the tracks. Railwaypoliceofficershelpkeepstudentssafeinthecommunity.

LENGTH OF LESSON:30 minutes

TEACHING ACTIVITIES:Introduce rail safety to the students •Trainsarefuntowatch,butwalkingandplayingnearthemisdangerous.Kids

havebeenhurtandevenkilledwhentheyhavebeenhitbytrains.Don’tplayonthetracksorwalkonorbesidethem.Crossthetrackswithagrown-upandonlywhere there are crossing signs.

Railway Crossing Signs Game •Askthestudentsiftheyhaveseenanyhighway-railwaycrossingsignsintheir

neighbourhood. •Wherearethey?Dotheylookdifferentoraretheythesame? •Reviewthisinformationwiththestudents,showingthemtheattachedpicturesof

eachsign.Railwaycrossingshavedifferentkindsofsignsandsignals.

The X-shaped sign is called a crossbuck.

Some crossings also have a bell and flashing red lights to warn people that a train is coming.

Other crossings also have a gate. The gate comes down to warn people about driving or walking on the track.

Another sign at the crossing is a rectangle with a number and a picture of a track. This one tells you how many sets of tracks there are at the crossing.

KINDERGARTEN – GRADE 1Social Science Local Community/Community Helpers


2


•Reviewthesesafetymessageswiththestudents

•Showpicturesofthesignsagainandseeifthestudentscanrememberthenamesofthe signs

•Youmayalsomakecopiesofthesignsandnamesandhavethestudentsplayagame withasmallgrouporindividually.

•Remindstudentsthatwhentheycrossattherailwaycrossingtheyshouldlookleft,lookright,andlookleftagain.Justthesameasiftheywerecrossingastreet.

•Invitethelocalrailwaypoliceofficertocometoyourclass.

STUDENT ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATIONHavestudentsroleplaythesafetymessagesinsmallgroups.Assignrolesorhavestudentscomeupwithactionsthatmimicwhathappensatcrossings(e.g.onestudentcouldbethebell,otherscouldbethetrain,whileanotheruseshis/herarmstoshowthegatesthatcomedown).

If you see a flashing light or hear a bell, wait! You do not have time to get across safely.

If you are on the tracks and the bell rings and the lights flash, keep walking.

If a train is going by, stand at least 5 metres back (that’s about 10 giant steps) from the tracks when a train is passing.



3


FOLLOW–UP ACTIVITY

LINK TO HOME:DistributetheSafeCrossingWeeklettertoparents/guardiansandtheObie’s Activity bookletparenttipsheettothestudents.

DistributeObie’s Activity Booktothestudentsandhavethemcompletetheactivitieswiththeirparentsoroldersiblings.

Encouragethestudentstotalktotheirparents/guardiansabouthowtobesafe atrailwaycrossingsandaroundtracks.Whatsafetyrulewillyouremembertotell?


1)Askthestudentstowatchforthehighway-railwaycrossingsignsintheirneighbourhood.

2)Overthenextfewdays,askthestudentswhohaveseensignsandwheretheyare.Ifyouhaveacommunity map or are making a community map, mark on the map where all the signs are.

3)Linkrailandpedestriansafety.Whenteachingyourlessonsonpedestriansafety,remindthestudentsthatthesafety rules for crossing the street are the same as at highway–railway crossings.

4)ProvidestudentswithObieandMax colouring pages.

5)Gotowww.cn.ca/obie.Readthestoriesandhavethestudentscolourtheincludedpicture.

6)Fillintheclass’orschool’snameontheSafeCrossingWeekcertificateandhang it on the wall.

Linktodailyphysicalactivityandphysicaleducationcurriculum: Follow the Engineer!Object: Followtheengineer

aroundthegym.Equipment: CDplayerandmusic (e.g.Locomotion),whistleHow to Play:-Divideclassintogroupsoffour.-Eachgroupofstudentsformsatrainandmovesabouttheplayingarea(orgymnasium)tothemusic.-Theengine,personinfront,leads

the others through a basic movement pattern(e.g.hopping,jumping,skipping,galloping,running,sidestep).Theteachermayalsocalloutordemonstratethemovementpatternforthe engines to use.-Onthewhistle,theenginebecomestheendofthetrainandthenextpersoninlinebecomestheengineandbeginsanew movement pattern for their train.


4


SAFETY RULES• Always cross at a railway crossing.

Most crossings have a sign, lights,

bells, and/or gates.

• Just like crossing the street –

stop and look both ways before

crossing train tracks. Listen for

the train coming and for warning

bells. If there are lights, watch for

them to flash.

• If a train is going by, stand at least

5 metres or 16 feet (that’s about 10

giant steps) back from the tracks.

• Never try to cross the tracks

if a train is coming. It is too

dangerous.

• If a train goes by, look both ways

again before crossing. Make sure

another train is not coming. Many

crossings have more than one track,

which means there could be more

than one train at the same time.

• Always walk your bike across the

tracks to make sure your tires do

not get caught.

• Never play on or near train tracks.

It is dangerous and illegal.

Injuries are the number one cause of death and disability

among children and youth in Canada.

Safety at Railway Crossings

This rail safety resource will help

parents and caregivers teach their

children how to be safe around trains,

tracks and at railway crossings.


THE SITUATIONEach year, on average, close to 100

people are killed and about 75

seriously injured in collisions with

trains. The collisions are either

between trains and motor vehicles

or trains and people.

According to statistics, young

men, aged 18-24 years old, are

most likely to be injured or killed

either in a crossing collision or a

trespassing incident.

WHYAs with other types of injuries,

the reasons for the collisions vary.

Anecdotal information tells part of

the story for children and youth.

Sometimes they wait for one train

to pass and are hit by another

train coming from either direction.

Sometimes they climb over a

stationary train into the path of

an oncoming train or fall as they

are climbing on it and it begins to

move. Sometimes they just simply

are unaware that a train is coming

as they walk on or beside the

tracks. These causes tell us that

these incidents are preventable.

Just as you teach your children

how to navigate through traffic,

children must be taught the rules

for staying safe around trains and

at railway crossings.

Each year, on average, close to

100 people are killed and

about 75 seriously injured

in collisions with trains.

Research tells us that up to

90 per cent of injuries are

predictable, therefore,

most railway injuries and

deaths can be prevented.

“Safety at Railway Crossings – A Parent Tip Sheet” for children to take home

“Obie’s Activity Book” for school children

RESOURCES:

www.parachutecanada.org – Rail safety education.

www.cn.ca/obie – Discover lots of stories, games, puzzles and fun things for kids to do on Obie’s Website. CN’s All Aboard for Safety train, Obie, and his engineer, Max, teach kids how to stay safe around railroad cross-ings and tracks in a fun and entertaining way. Kids may also join Obie’s Club and print their own personalized certificate. Obie is based on an actual two-metre high CN locomotive, called Little Obie, that has been pro-moting rail safety at schools and community events and giving rides to thousands of children across Canada and the United States for more than ten years.

www.cn.ca – CN is one of the largest freight railroads in North America. For more than 25 years, through its program All Aboard for Safety, CN Police officers speak annually to more than 300,000 children and adults about the importance of safety at railway crossings and the danger of walking and playing on or near railway tracks.

www.operationlifesaver.ca – Rail safety education for educators, students, parents, and drivers.

If you would like to invite a CN Police officer to come to your classroom, please contact:

British Columbia – [email protected] Alberta – [email protected] Saskatchewan – [email protected] Manitoba – [email protected] Ontario – [email protected] Quebec – [email protected] New Brunswick – [email protected] Nova Scotia – [email protected]



5

Around TrainsStaying SafeRAILWAY SIGNS

CROS

SBUC

K

BELL

NUMB

ER OF

SETS

OF TR

ACKS

GATE

Obi

e an

d hi

s eng

inee

r, M

ax h

ave

fun

stor

ies

and

gam

es fo

r you

on

thei

r web

site

!www.cn.ca/obie

To le

arn

mor

e ab

out s

afet

y at

ra

ilway

cros

sing

s, vi

sit


Max re

minds

you: Lo

ok bo

th wa

ys be

fore c

rossin

g trac

ks.

Obi

e an

d hi

s eng

inee

r, M

ax h

ave

fun

stor

ies

and

gam

es fo

r you

on

thei

r web

site

!www.cn.ca/obie

To le

arn

mor

e ab

out s

afet

y at

ra

ilway

cros

sing

s, vi

sit


Obie r

emind

s you:

Look

both

ways

befor

e cros

sing t

racks.

Obi

e an

d hi

s eng

inee

r, M

ax h

ave

fun

stor

ies

and

gam

es fo

r you

on

thei

r web

site

!www.cn.ca/obie

To le

arn

mor

e ab

out s

afet

y at

ra

ilway

cros

sing

s, vi

sit


Obie r

emind

s you:

Walki

ng or

play

ing on

trac

ks is

dang

erous

.

Grade 2



9


LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Studentswill:

•Readtothemselvesorbereadonestoryonrailsafety. •Respondtoinformationthatiscommunicatedinthestorybysharingprior

knowledge,predictingfutureevents,engagingindiscussion,andcreatingrepresentations.


TEACHING ACTIVITIES: • Inadvanceoftheclass,reviewObie’sSafe Crossing Story: -Gotowww.cn.ca/obie -ClickonObie’s Stories -ReviewSafe Crossing Story -Downloadthestoryoruseacomputerscreentoviewpagesofthebook

SAFE CROSSING STORY:IfreadingthestoryfromObie’swebsite,gotowww.cn.ca/obieandclickonObie’s Stories. Beforeyoureadthestorytotheclass,choosethesoundoffbutton.Asyoureadthestory,herearequestionsthatmaybeusedtoencouragepriorknowledge,predictfutureevents,engageindiscussionorcreaterepresentations.

1. What safety rule did Andrew not obey? (Prior knowledge, engage in discussion) 2. Do you know how long 20 seconds is? (Predicting, create representations)

STUDENT ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION:Havestudentsdrawapictureand/orwriteajournalentryofhowtheywouldfeelinOfficerMike’s,Carla’s,Andrew’s,orObie’sposition.Whatwouldtheydodifferently?Whatnewinformationdidtheylearn?

Kindergarten – Grade 2English LanguageStrategies for Learning to Read and View


10


FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES:

1)ThereareotherstoriesonObie’swebsite. Belowarequestionstoaskthestudentsasyoureadthestoriestoencouragepriorknowledge,predictfutureevents,engageindiscussionorcreaterepresentations.

Obie’s Story:Questionstoaskasyoureadthestory:1.WhydoyouthinkObieissad?(Predicting)2.WhatdoyouthinkObie’sspecialjobwillbe?(Predicting)

3.WhatwasObie’sjob?(Engageindiscussion)4.HowdoesthatjobmakeObiehappy? (Engageindiscussion)

A Magical Day:Questionstoaskasyoureadthestory:1.Wheredoyousafelycrosstraintracks? (Priorknowledge)

2. Who knows any safety rules for crossing traintracks?(Priorknowledge)

3.Whatsafetyrulesdidwelearnfrom thestory?(Engageindiscussion)

4.UseObie’sActivityBooktodraw a picture of a railway crossing sign. (Creativerepresentations)

2)OnObie’swebsite,havethestudentsjoinObie’sClubandprintoutthecertificate.(N.B.Printthecertificateonlandscape).TobecomeamemberofObie’sClub,studentsmustanswersixsafetyquestions.

3)OnObie’swebsite,gotoObie’sClub,clickonObie’sSafetyTipsandprintouttocolour.

4)OnObie’swebsite,gotoFunandGames (PictureGames)tocolourObiepictures.

5)OnObie’swebsite,gotoFunandGames(Extras–Song)tosingalongwithObie’sSong.Thesonglyricsareincludedattheendofthelesson.

6)ProvidestudentswithObieandMaxcolouringpages.Havetheolderstudentswrite their favourite safety rule on the page, usingObie’sActivityBookasaresource.

7)Fillintheclass’orschool’snameintheSafeCrossingWeekcertificateandhangitonthewall.

8)InviteaCNPoliceofficerintotheclassroom to talk about rail safety with the class.

9)Linkrailandpedestriansafety.Whenteachingyourlessonsonpedestriansafety,remindthestudentsthatthesafetyrulesfor crossing the street are the same as at highway–railway crossings.

10)Linktodailyphysicalactivityandphysicaleducationcurriculum:TrainShuffle

Object: To be the fastest team to complete the relay

Equipment: 5poolnoodles

How to Play:-Divideclassintogroupsof5or6.-Eachgrouphasonepoolnoodle.-Thefirstperson,theengineer,putsthepoolnoodlebetweentheirkneesandshufflestotheotherendoftheplayingarea(orgymnasium)andback.-Thenextpersoninline,thecar,joinsinbehindtheengineerandbothcarsshuffletotheotherendandback.-Theycontinueuntilthelastperson,theend

of the train, makes the trip.



11


LINK TO HOME:DistributetheSafeCrossingWeeklettertoparents/guardiansandthe Obie’s Activity bookletparenttipsheettothestudents.


Encouragethestudentstotalktotheirparents/guardiansabouthowtobesafeatrailwaycrossingsandaroundtracks.Whatsafetyrulewillyouremembertotell?

RESOURCES:www.parachutecanada.org –Railsafetyeducation.www.cn.ca/obie –Discoverlotsofstories,games,puzzlesandfun

thingsforkidstodoonObie’sWebsite.CN’sAll Aboard for Safetytrain,Obie,andhisengineer,Max,teachkidshowtostaysafearoundrailroadcrossingsandtracksinafunandentertainingway.KidsmayalsojoinObie’sClubandprinttheirownpersonalizedcertificate.Obieisbasedonanactualtwo-metrehighCNlocomotive,calledLittleObie,thathasbeenpromotingrailsafetyatschoolsandcommunityeventsandgivingridestothousandsofchildrenacrossCanadaandtheUnitedStatesformore than ten years.

www.cn.ca –CNisoneofthelargestfreightrailroadsinNorthAmerica.Formorethan25years,throughitsprogram All Aboard for Safety,CNPoliceofficersspeakannuallytomorethan300,000childrenandadultsabouttheimportanceofsafetyatrailwaycrossingsandthedangerofwalkingandplayingonor near railway tracks.

www.operationlifesaver.ca –Railsafetyeducationforeducators,students,parents,anddrivers.



12


IfyouwouldliketoinviteaCNPoliceofficer tocometoyourclassroom,pleasecontact:










them to flash.






dangerous.









not get caught.
























































13


Obie’smynameandRailsafety’smygame.LearnafewrulesandYou can say the same.

WatchforsignsandsignalsAtrailroadcrossings.Take care near train tracksEveryday.

CHORUS:Ding,ding,dong,Wooo-wooo.ListentothesignsandtrainsThey’retalkingtoyou.

Ding,ding,dong,Wooo-wooo.ListentothesignsandtrainsThey’retalkingtoyou.

The lights are flashing,Thegateisdown.That means a train Is going through town.

Trains go fast,So always look both ways.Leftandright,Remember, safety pays!



Trains are bigAndtrainsarestrong.Buttheycan’tstopquicklyWhenthey’respeedingalong.

AndplayingontracksIsjustnotcool.AndwalkingontracksBreaks all of the rules.



DING, DING, DONG, WOOO-WOOO OBIE’S SONG


Grade 3



14



•Learnthattrainsmovewithgreatspeedandforce. •Learnthatbecauseofthetrain’ssizeandhowfastittravels,itcannotstopquickly

even though it looks like it is moving slowly.


TEACHING ACTIVITIES:Introduce rail safety to the students• Trainsarefuntowatch,butwalkingandplayingnearthemisdangerous.

Trainsarebigandlookliketheyaremovingslowerthantheyreallyare. Trains cannot stop quickly.

Learning about trains• Duringthestudents’visitto

the library, encourage them to choose books about trains.

• Askthestudentstoeachreadfor15 minutes about trains.

• Askthestudentswhatfactstheyreadabouttrains.

• Makealistofallthefactsontheblackboard.• Askthestudents:

Howlongdoyouthinkatraintravellingat100km/hrtakestostop? -Answer:morethan1kilometre!Onekilometreis10footballfieldsorhowfaryou

can walk in 15 minutes.• Discusshowfar1kilometreis.Howmanylengthsoftheschool?

How many lengths of the hallway?• Tellthemthatchildrenaresometimesinjuredbytrains.Peopledon’texpectthetrain

to come that quickly or they think they can cross the tracks before the train comes.

How do they travel?How fast do they travel?

What makes the engine work? How many cars do they pull?

What do trains carry?

Grades 2 – 3Science and TechnologyForces and Movement


15


Remindthestudentsofthefollowingsafetytips:

STUDENT ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION:Havestudentsillustrate,writeormeasurehowfarakilometreisinrelationtotheirschool.

Forexample,theycoulddesignaonekilometreroutehomefromschool,orindicatehowmanytimesaroundtheirplaygroundonekilometrewouldlooklike.

Never play on the tracks or walk on or beside them.

A train can come from either direction, on any track, and at any time. Trains do not always run on a schedule.

Do not play on railway bridges or explore train tunnels. Railway bridges and tunnels do not have room for you to stay safe when a train goes by.

Trains only run on tracks. The engineer cannot swerve to avoid a crash like a car driver can.

Trains that are standing still look quiet – but they can move at any time. Never play around or climb on train cars.

Never climb on a train car. The train can move suddenly and you could fall underneath the wheels.

Headphones block the sound of a train whistle. Never wear them when you are near railway tracks.

Remind students that when they cross at the railway crossing they should look left, look right, and look left again. Just the same as if they were crossing a street.



16


FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITY:

LINK TO HOME:DistributetheSafeCrossingWeeklettertoparents/guardiansandtheObie Activity bookletparenttipsheettothestudents.



1)ProvidestudentswithObieandMaxcolouringpages.Havetheolderstudentswrite their favourite safety rule on the page, usingObie’sActivityBookasaresource.

2)Fillintheclass’orschool’snameinthe SafeCrossingWeekcertificateandhang it on the wall.

3)InviteaCNPoliceofficerintotheclassroom to talk about rail safety with the class.

4)Linktodailyphysicalactivityandphysicaleducationcurriculum:TrainTag

Object: To get as many cars as possible on your train

Equipment: 4pinnies(preferablydifferentcolours),whistle

How to Play:-Designatefourtrainengineers(peoplewhoare“it”)andhandthemeachapinnie.-Oncethetrainwhistlehassounded,the

engineers try to gather cars for their train by tagging others.-Oncetagged,thecarsjointhetrainandholdontotheshouldersorhipsofthecarinfrontof them.-Onlytheengineercantagothers.-Allcarsmuststayconnectedatalltimes.-Continueuntileveryoneispartofanengineer’s

train.



17


RESOURCES:www.parachutecanada.org–Railsafetyeducation. www.cn.ca/obie–Discoverlotsofstories,games,puzzlesandfunthingsforkidstodoonObie’s Website.CN’sAll Aboard for Safetytrain,Obie,andhisengineer,Max,teachkidshowtostaysafearoundrailroadcrossingsandtracksinafunandentertainingway.KidsmayalsojoinObie’sClubandprinttheirownpersonalizedcertificate.Obieisbasedonanactualtwo-metrehighCNlocomotive,calledLittleObie,thathasbeenpromotingrailsafetyatschoolsandcommunityeventsandgivingridestothousandsofchildrenacrossCanadaandtheUnitedStatesformorethantenyears.www.cn.ca–CNisoneofthelargestfreightrailroadsinNorthAmerica.Formorethan25years, through its program All Aboard for Safety,CNPoliceofficersspeakannuallytomorethan300,000childrenandadultsabouttheimportanceofsafetyatrailwaycrossingsandthedangerofwalkingandplaying on or near railway tracks.www.operationlifesaver.ca–Railsafetyeducationforeducators,students,parents,anddrivers.

IfyouwouldliketoinviteaCNPoliceofficertocometoyourclassroom,pleasecontact:










them to flash.






dangerous.









not get caught.























































Grade 4



18



•Research,writeandillustrateanewspaperormagazineadvertisement. •Learnthreestrategiesforcreatingmessagesforanadvertisement.

LENGTH OF LESSON:30 to 45 minutes

TEACHING ACTIVITIES:Introduce rail safety to the students• Trainsarefuntowatch,butwalkingandplayingnearthemisdangerous.

Design an advertisement for rail safety•Askthestudentstomakealistofrailsafetyrules.•Askthestudentstodesignanadvertisementtowarnotherstudentsintheirschoolaboutthedangersoftrains.Theymaydrawpicturesorusephotosoftrains.(Seelistofresourcesforphotos.)

•Oncetheirworkiscompleted,askthestudentstopresenttheiradstotheotherstudents.Ifthereisanopportunity,displaytheadsinhalls,cafeteriaorcommunityareas at the school.

TRIVIA GAMEDividetheclassintotwogroups.Usingthestatementsprovided,giveonegroupthefirstsetofstatementsfoundonpage21underMediaLiteracy(Part1)andgivethesecondgroupthesecondsetofstatements(Part2).

Grade 3 – Grade 4Language – English Media Literacy


19


STUDENT ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION:Todevelophigherlevelthinking,havethestudentsprovidereasonsforeachsafetytip.Forexample,“Don’tcountonhearingawhistletowarnyouthatatrainiscoming.”Why?Thetrainmaynotsoundawhistle,youmayhaveearphonesorearplugson,theremaybeanobjectthatinterfereswiththesoundofthewhistle,etc.

FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITY:

LINK TO HOME:DistributetheSafeCrossingWeeklettertoparents/guardiansandtheSafety at Railway Crossingsparenttipsheettothestudents.



1)DistributetheprovidedWordSearchtothestudentsandaskthemtocomplete.

2)Fillintheclass’orschool’snameintheSafeCrossingWeekcertificateandhangitonthewall.

3)Linktodailyphysicalactivityandphysicaleducationcurriculum:StationtoStation

Object: CompletethecircuitEquipment: Station numbers with activities

postedateachsitearoundtheplayingarea(orgymnasium)

How to Play:-Dividetheclassintogroupsof4-6.

-Eachgroupmakesatrain-holdingontoeitherhipsorshoulders.-Trainsvisiteachandeverystationinanyorderoftheengine’s(leader)choosing(e.g.notnecessarilyintheorderofsequentialnumbers).-Alltrainmembersperformstheactivitynotedatthatstation,andanewenginetakesthetraintoitsnextdestination.

Activity Ideas:jumpingjacks,squatjumps,kneeraises,lunges,scissorjumps,burpees,situps,pushups,onefoothops,twofootjumps,crossoverjumps,bicepcurls,tricepextensions,sidekicks,armcircles,andtoetouches.


20


RESOURCES:www.parachutecanada.org–Railsafetyeducation.

www.cn.ca/news–Photosoftrainsinthe MediaImageCentre

www.cn.ca/history – Stories about the history of CNandrailroadinginCanadaandtheUnitedStates

www.cn.ca–CNisoneofthelargestfreightrailroadsinNorthAmerica.Formorethan25years,through its program All Aboard for Safety,CNPoliceofficersspeaktomorethan300,000childrenandadultsabouttheimportanceofsafetyatrailwaycrossingsandthedangerofwalkingandplayingon or near railway tracks.

www.operationlifesaver.ca–Railsafetyeducationforeducators,students,parents,anddrivers.











them to flash.






dangerous.









not get caught.























































21


STAYING SAFE AROUND TRAINS: STATEMENTS (PART 1)Whydokidsgetinjuredbytrains?• Trainstakealongtimetostop.Atrainmovingat100km/hneedsmorethan1

kilometretostop!Canyoupicturehowfarthatis?Ifittakesyou15minutestowalktoschool,thatdistanceisabout1kilometre.

• Atraincancomefromeitherdirection,onanytrack,andatanytime. Trainsdonotalwaysrunonaschedule.

• Trainsonlyrunontracks.Theengineercannotswervetoavoidacrashlikeacardrivercan.

• Railwaybridgesandtunnelsdonothaveroomforyoutostaysafewhenatraingoesby.Trainsthatarestandingstilllookquiet–buttheycanmoveatanytime.

• Headphonesblockthesoundofatrainanditswhistle.

STAYING SAFE AROUND TRAINS: STATEMENTS (PART 2)SAFETY TIPS• Alwayscrossatahighway-railwaycrossing.Publiccrossingshaveasignandsome

have gates.• Justlikecrossingthestreet–stopandlookbothwaysbeforecrossingtraintracks.

Listenforthewarningbellandwatchfortheflashinglights.• Sometimes,engineersblowthetrain’swhistletowarnpeople.Donotdependon

hearing a whistle to warn you that a train is coming.• Ifatrainisgoingby,standatleast5metresback(that’sabout10giantsteps)from

the tracks when a train is passing. • Nevertrytogetacrossthetracksifatrainiscoming,itistoodangerous.• Whenyoucrossthetracks,alwaysstepovertherails(themetalparts).Steppingon

therailscanmakeyouslipandfall.• Ifonetraingoesby,lookbothwaysagainbeforecrossing.Makesureanothertrainis

notcomingineitherdirection.Manycrossingshavemorethanonetrackfortrainstorideon.

• Alwayswalkyourbikeacrossthetrackstomakesureyourtiresdon’tgetcaught.• Takeoffyourheadphoneswhenyouarenearrailwaytracks.• Neverclimbonatraincar.Thetraincouldmovesuddenlyandyoucouldfall

underneaththewheels.



22


LOOK

CROSSING

SIGN

GATES

BELLS

TRACK

RAILS

WHISTLES

TRAIN

WORD SEARCH

Grade 6



23


LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Studentswill:

•Beabletoidentify5waystheycanprotectthemselvesfromatraininjury.


TEACHING ACTIVITIES: Can You Beat the Train?• Theobjectiveofthisexerciseistoseeifyoucancrosstherailwaytracksbeforea

trainarrives.Therearetwopartstothisexercise:1) Determinehowlongittakestocrossthetracks.2) Determinehowlongfromthetimeyoucanseeatrainuntilitarriveswhereyouare

crossing.

Step 1: How long does it take to cross the tracks?Using masking tape, mark a start and a finish line, 6 metres apart.Put the students in pairs.Have one student run from the start to the finish line.Have the second student time how long it takes.Then ask the students to switch roles.Each student should know the amount of time it took them to run from start to finish. Tell the students that the distance between the lines is about how far it is across the train tracks.Ask a few students to tell how long it took them to cross. (Answers should be between 1–2 seconds)Now mention that on a real track the students would have to cross over two rails. So, ask everyone to add 5 seconds to their time.Then tell the students that tracks sit on small rocks, called ballast, that are often oily and slippery. So, tell them to add another 5 seconds to their time. Ask a few students to give their time.The students should have a total of 11—12 seconds.

Grades 4 – 6Physical EducationPersonal Safety


24


Step 2: How long does it take the train to come?Now say a train is coming down the track. It seems to be a very long way – say 400 metres – that is 4 football fields.Now in the 11 or 12 seconds it took you to run across the tracks, the train would have traveled 530 metres.

Ask the students:Whatwouldhavehappenedtoyou?

Staying Safe Around TrainsAskthestudentstobrainstormalistofsafetypracticesforstayingsafearoundtrains. Thelistshouldinclude:• Alwayscrossatahighway-railwaycrossing.Publiccrossingshaveasignandsome

crossings have gates.• Justlikecrossingthestreet–stopandlookbothwaysbeforecrossingtraintracks.

Listenforthewarningbellandwatchfortheflashinglights.• Sometimes,engineersalsoblowthetrain’swhistletowarnpeople.Donotdependon

hearing the whistle to warn you that a train is coming.• Ifatrainisgoingby,standatleast5metresback(that’sabout10giantsteps)fromthe

tracks when a train is passing.• Nevertrytogetacrossthetracksifatrainiscoming.Itistoodangerous!• Ifonetraingoesby,lookbothwaysagainbeforecrossing.Makesureanothertrainis

notcomingineitherdirection.Manycrossingshavemorethanonetrackfortrainstorideon.

• Whenyoucrossthetracks,alwaysstepovertherails(themetalparts).Steppingontherailscanmakeyouslipandfall.

• Alwayswalkyourbikeacrossthetrackstomakesureyourtiresdon’tgetcaught.• Neverwearheadphoneswhenyouarenearrailwaytracks.



25


STUDENT ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION:Placethefollowingwordsseparatelyonsmallpiecesofcardstock.Askstudentstovolunteertocomeupinfrontoftheclass,drawoutaword,andspeakfor30secondsaboutthattopicandhowitrelatestotrainsafety.Thestudentmustpresentfor30seconds.Reminder:studentsshouldvolunteerforthisactivity,andhaveasafeatmosphere to present in.

Word list: bell,signs(orhavepicturesofthe4signs),engineers,flashinglights,whistle,tracks,bike,pedestrian,driver,headphones,cars,speed,gate, 5metres,1kilometre,non-movingtrains.

FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITY:

LINK TO HOME:DistributetheSafeCrossingWeeklettertoparents/guardiansandtheSafety at Railway Crossingsparenttipsheettothestudents.



1)Linkrailandpedestriansafety.Whenteachingyourlessonsonpedestriansafety,remindthestudentsthatthesafetyrulesfor crossing the street are the same as at highway–railway crossings.

2)Providethe“StayingSafeAroundTrains”safe practices on a worksheet, omitting importantwordsfromthestatements.Havestudentsfillinwordstoshowtheir comprehension of the statement. Listingomittedwordsatthebottomoftheworksheetcouldbehelpfulforsomestudents.

3)Havestudentsdecidewhichsafepracticelistedin“StayingSafeAroundTrains”wouldbemostimportantforthefollowing:apedestrian,adriverandacyclist.Askthem to write a reason why they believe thatstatementismostimportant.Partnerstudentsupandhavethemdebatewhoismostcorrectandwhy.


26



www.cn.ca–CNisoneofthelargestfreightrailroadsinNorthAmerica.Formorethan25years, through its program All Aboard for Safety,CNPoliceofficersspeakannuallytomorethan300,000childrenandadultsabouttheimportanceofsafetyatrailwaycrossingsandthedangerofwalkingandplaying on or near railway tracks.












them to flash.






dangerous.









not get caught.






















































Grade 5



27


LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Studentswill:

•Learnhowlawshavebeendevelopedtoprotectchildrenfrominjuriesonrailwaytracksandproperty.

LENGTH OF LESSON:45-60minutes

TEACHING ACTIVITIES:Ask the students: • What is a law? •Whatareexamplesoflaws? •Howarelawsmade? • What is trespassing on railways?

Trespassing is: •Walking,playingorrunningonorbesiderailwaytracks •Drivingabike,acar,anATV,asnowmobileoranyothervehicleonorbeside

railway tracks • Taking a shortcut across railway tracks or railway property •Enteringrailwayyardsatanytime

Discuss railway laws with the students. Lawsarecreatedtoprotectpeopleandpeople’sproperty.Railwaylawsprotectpeoplefrombeinginjuredandkilledbytrainsandprotectpropertythatbelongstotherailwaycompanies.AllrailwaytracksinCanadaareownedbyprivatecompanies,justlikeahouseoranapartmentisownedbysomeone.Youcannotgoonsomeoneelse’spropertywithouttheirpermission.Ifyoudo,itiscalledtrespassing.Railwaypolicemakesurethatthelawsarefollowed.Theyissuewarnings,tickets,andfinestoensurethatpeoplefollow the laws.

Grades 5Social StudiesCanada and World Connections: Aspects of Citizenship and Government in Canada


28


Today’sassignmentistolearnabouttrespassingonrailwaypropertyandalsoaboutthelawsthatprotectthepropertyoftherailwaycompaniesandprotectpeoplefrombeinginjuredandkilledbytrains.

Breakthestudentsintosmallgroups.EachgroupwillreceiveacopyofTheRailwayLawsandEnforcementFactSheet(foundonpage30)toreview.Askeachgrouptodothefollowingactivities: •Useaclassroomdictionaryandlookupthewordstrespass,lawandenforcement. •Writeoutallthedefinitions. •Havethestudentsanswer: -WhatisthetrespassinglawforrailwaysinCanada? -Howisitenforced? -Whyisthisanimportantlaw? • Have groups share their answers.

STUDENT ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION:Havestudentswriteajournalentryfromthepointofviewofafinedtrespasser,orcreateadailylogentryofarailwaypoliceofficer.Havethemincludewhattheircharacterwasthinking or feeling.



1)Invitealocalrailwaypoliceofficerintoyourclassroom to talk about how they enforce safetyaroundrailwaytracksandproperty.

2)Havestudentscreateapostertoshow“trespassing” on the railway tracks. Have studentspresenttheirposterstotheschoolandpresentrailsafetytips.

3)Havestudentsdivideasheetofpaperin halfandlistsreasonsforandagainstthe followingstatements:

-It’sokaytotrespassoverarailwaytrackifnotrainsarecoming,inordertogettoschool on time.-Farmerscancrossovertraintracksifthetracksgothroughtheirland/fields.-Trespassinglawsareanuisance.

Discusstheabovestatementsasaclassandhavestudentscircletheviewsontheirpagesthatbestdescribestheirpositiononeachstatement.


29


LINK TO HOME:DistributetheSafeCrossingWeeklettertoparents/guardiansandtheSafety at Railway Crossings parent tip sheettothestudents.

Encouragethestudentstotalktotheirparents/guardiansabouthowtobesafeatrailwaycrossingsandaroundtracks. What safety rule will you remember to tell?


www.cn.ca–CNisoneofthelargestfreightrailroadsinNorthAmerica.Formorethan25years,throughitsprogram All Aboard for Safety,CNPoliceofficersspeakannuallytomorethan300,000childrenandadultsabouttheimportanceofsafetyatrailwaycrossingsandthedangerofwalkingandplayingonornearrailwaytracks.


IfyouwouldliketoinviteaCNPoliceofficertocome toyourclassroom,pleasecontact:










them to flash.






dangerous.









not get caught.























































30

Around TrainsStaying SafeRAILWAY LAWS AND ENFORCEMENTFACT SHEET

Railwaytracksareprivateproperty.Itisbothillegalanddangeroustobeonornearanyrailwaytracks,exceptatadesignatedcrossing.Children,students,andadultssometimes use the train tracks as a short cut to go to school or to the store or use it as a hangoutwithfriends.Thetruthisyouarenotallowedtodoanyofthesethings—youare trespassing!Trespassingmeansgoingontosomeoneelse’sprivatepropertywithouttheirpermission—anditisagainstthelaw!

So,iftraintracksareprivatepropertyandyouarenotallowedtobeonornearthetracks,howshouldyoucrossthetrackstogettotheotherside?Highway-railwaycrossings(wheretheroadmeetstherail)aretheonlylocationswhereanyoneisallowedto cross the tracks. At these locations, there are warningdevices,suchassigns,flashingredlights,aringingbell,andbarrierarmsthatgoupanddown.Somelevelcrossingsmayonlyhavestopsignsorevenjustcross buck signs. There are pavement markings, suchasabigwhite“X”andtwothickwhitelinesthatarepaintedontheroadwayalongwith yellow advanced warning signsthatindicatetherearetraintracksupaheadandtoproceedwithcaution.

Whenthesewarningdevicesactivate,itmeansthatatrainisapproachingandthatyoumuststop.Whetheryouarewalking,ridingyourbikeordrivinginmomordad’scar,youmuststop,waitforthetraintogobyand,moreimportantly,waitforthewarningdevicestocompletelyshutoffbeforeyouproceedacrossthetraintracks.Beforecrossing,you must look both ways to make sure another train is not coming from the same or the otherdirection.

Crossingtraintracksatanylocation,otherthanatthedesignatedlevelcrossings,isdangerous.


31


TRESPASS TO PROPERTY ACT AND RAILWAY SAFETY ACT

The Trespass to Property ActandtheRailway Safety Actgiverailwaypoliceofficersandotherpolicingagenciestherighttochargeanyonewho:•Enterspremiseswhenentryisprohibited,•Engagesinprohibitedactivityonpremises;and/or•Failstoleavetherailway’spropertywhentoldtodosobyapoliceofficer.

The Railway Safety Actstates:“Nopersonshall,withoutlawfulexcuse,enteronlandonwhichalineworkissituated.”Line workmeansrailwaytracks,switchesand/orsignalsandbuildingsthatareonrailwayproperty.Amonetarycharge(fine)orasummonstoappearincourt(dependingontheseverityoftheincident)maybegiventothetrespasserasaresultofthepoliceofficer’sfindings.

Thepurposeofenforcingtheselawsistoensurethatchildren,studentsandadultsarefullyawareofthepotentialdangersassociatedwithtraintracks.Theselawshelpreduceinjuriesandtheneedlesslossoflifeaswellasensurethesafeoperationofalltrainsandmechanicaldevicesandtheworkinrailwayyards.

Trainscannotstopquickly.Itcantakemorethan10footballfieldsormorethan1kilometretocometoacompletestopwhentravelingat100km/h.

Locomotivesdonothavesteeringwheels.Anengineercannotswervethetrainoutofthewaytoavoidatrespasserorvehiclethatisonthetracks.

Remember:Atraincanapproachfromeitherdirectiononanytrackatanytime.

Crossingtraintracksanywhereotherthanatadesignatedlevelcrossingistrespassing. Itisnotonlyagainstthelaw,butextremelydangerous!

IS THE TIME YOU SAVE WORTH YOUR LIFE?

ANY TIME IS TRAIN TIME!

Grade 6



32


LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Studentswill: •Analyzebehavioursthatleadtorailwayinjuries. •Analyzerailwaylegislationasitrelatestoprotectionfrominjuries.

LENGTH OF LESSON:45-60minutes

TEACHING ACTIVITIES:Reviewattachedinformationonrailwaylawsandenforcement.

Trespassingis: •Walking,playingorrunningonorbesiderailwaytracks. •Drivingabike,acar,anATV,asnowmobileoranyothervehicleonorbeside

railway tracks. • Taking a shortcut across railway tracks or railway property. •Enteringrailwayyardsatanytime.

Usetheinformationtoorganizeadebate:“Trespassersonrailwaytracksandpropertyshouldbechargedandreceivelargefines.”Assigntwodebatingteams.Onesidetodebateeachside.

ReviewTheRailwayLawsandEnforcementFactSheet(foundonpage30).Askthestudentstodofurtherresearchtoprepareforthedebate.

STUDENT ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION:Afterthedebate,havestudentswriteajournalentrythattellswhatnewinformationtheylearned,anypersonalconnectionstheyhavetothetopic,andwhatpersonalpositiontheytookinthedebateandwhy.

Grades 6Health and Life Skills


33



LINK TO HOME:DistributetheSafeCrossingWeeklettertoparents/guardiansandtheSafety at Railway Crossings parenttipsheettothestudents.


1)Invitealocalrailwaypoliceofficerintoyourclassroom to talk about how they enforce safetyaroundrailwaytracksandproperty.

2)ProvidetheStayingSafeAroundTrains:Statements(Part2)SafetyTips(frompage21)onaworksheet.

3)Fillintheclass’orschool’snameintheSafe Crossing Weekcertificateandhangitonthewall.

4)Linktolessononpedestriansafety.Remindstudentsthatwhentheycrossattherailwaycrossingtheyshouldlookleft,lookright,andlookleftagain.Justthesameasiftheywere crossing a street. When one train passes, another train may come in the same oroppositedirection.



34



www.cn.ca–CNisoneofthelargestfreightrailroadsinNorthAmerica.Formorethan25years, through its program All Aboard for Safety,CNPoliceofficersspeakannuallytomorethan300,000childrenandadultsabouttheimportanceofsafetyatrailwaycrossingsandthedangerofwalkingandplaying on or near railway tracks.


IfyouwouldliketoinviteaCNPoliceofficer tocometoyourclassroom,pleasecontact:










them to flash.






dangerous.









not get caught.






















































Additional Resources



35

Around TrainsStaying SafeRAILWAY LAWS AND ENFORCEMENTFACT SHEET

Railwaytracksareprivateproperty.Itisbothillegalanddangeroustobeonornearanyrailwaytracks.Children,students,andadultssometimesusethetraintracksasashortcuttogotoschoolortothestoreoruseitasahangoutwithfriends.Thetruthisyouarenotallowedtodoanyofthesethings–youaretrespassing! Trespassing means going ontosomeoneelse’sprivatepropertywithouttheirpermission–anditisagainstthelaw!

So,iftraintracksareprivatepropertyandyouarenotallowedtobeonornearthetracks,howshouldyoucrossthetrackstogettotheotherside?Highway-railwaylevelcrossings(wheretheroadmeetstherail)aretheonlylocationswhereanyoneisallowedto cross the tracks. At these locations, there are warning devices,suchassigns,flashingredlights,aringingbell,andbarrierarmsthatgoupanddown.Somelevelcrossingsmayonlyhavestopsignsorevenjustcross buck signs. There are pavement markings, suchasabigwhite“X”andtwothickwhitelinesthatarepaintedontheroadwayalongwith yellow advanced warning signsthatindicatetherearetraintracksupaheadandtoproceedwithcaution.

Whenthesewarningdevicesactivate,itmeansthatatrainisapproachingandthatyoumuststop.Whetheryouarewalking,ridingyourbikeordrivinginmomordad’scar,youmuststop,waitforthetraintogobyand,moreimportantly,waitforthewarningdevicestocompletelyshutoffbeforeyouproceedacrossthetraintracks.Beforecrossing,you must look both ways to make sure another train is not coming from the same or the otherdirection.

Crossingtraintracksatanylocation,otherthanatthedesignatedlevelcrossings,isdangerous.


36


TRESPASS TO PROPERTY ACT AND RAILWAY SAFETY ACT

The Trespass to Property ActandtheRailway Safety Actgiverailwaypoliceofficersandotherpolicingagenciestherighttochargeanyonewho:•Enterspremiseswhenentryisprohibited,•Engagesinprohibitedactivityonpremises;and/or•Failstoleavetherailway’spropertywhentoldtodosobyapoliceofficer.

The Railway Safety Actstates:“Nopersonshall,withoutlawfulexcuse,enteronlandonwhichalineworkissituated.”Line workmeansrailwaytracks,switchesand/orsignalsandbuildingsthatareonrailwayproperty.Amonetarycharge(fine)orasummonstoappearincourt(dependingontheseverityoftheincident)maybegiventothetrespasserasaresultofthepoliceofficersfindings.

Thepurposeofenforcingtheselawsistoensurethatchildren,studentsandadultsarefullyawareofthepotentialdangersassociatedwithtraintracks.Theselawshelpreduceinjuriesandtheneedlesslossoflifeaswellasensurethesafeoperationofalltrainsandmechanicaldevicesandtheworkinrailwayyards.

Trainscannotstopquickly.Itcantakemorethan10footballfieldsormorethan1kilometretocometoacompletestopwhentravelingat100km/h.

Locomotivesdonothavesteeringwheels.Anengineercannotswervethetrainoutofthewaytoavoidatrespasserorvehiclethatisonthetracks.

Remember: Atraincanapproachfromeitherdirectiononanytrackatanytime.

Crossingtraintracksanywhereotherthanatadesignatedlevelcrossingistrespassing. Itisnotonlyagainstthelaw,butextremelydangerous!

IS THE TIME YOU SAVE WORTH YOUR LIFE?

ANY TIME IS TRAIN TIME!

Documents

Rail Activity Lesson Plans Kindergarten