Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as first graders, design and share a playground safety plan that teaches others how to stay safe and have fun while using math to ensure everyone gets a turn?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What are the potential hazards on the playground?
- How can we prevent injuries while playing?
- Why is it important to follow safety rules on the playground?
- How can we communicate safety rules to others?
- How can we use counting to keep track of the number of students on each equipment?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Identify potential playground hazards.
- Understand and apply playground safety rules.
- Develop strategies for preventing playground injuries.
- Communicate safety rules effectively to peers.
- Use counting to manage turns on playground equipment.
- Collaborate with classmates to design a playground safety plan.
- Create a presentation to teach others about playground safety.
- Apply math skills to ensure fair access to playground equipment
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsPlayground Safety Video & Brainstorm
Students watch a short, engaging video featuring kids their age demonstrating safe and unsafe playground behaviors. After the video, they discuss what they observed and brainstorm ways to improve playground safety at their own school.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Safety Rule Skit
Students will role-play different scenarios on the playground, demonstrating the correct application of safety rules.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA short skit performed by a small group, showing a playground scenario with children following safety rules.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Understand and apply playground safety rules.Safety Poster Designers
Students design a poster illustrating one or more playground safety rules. The posters should be visually appealing and easy to understand.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA colorful poster with clear illustrations and simple text explaining a playground safety rule.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Communicate safety rules effectively to peers.Turn-Taking Tally
Students will learn how to use counting to ensure fair turns on popular playground equipment. They will practice timing and counting to keep track of turns.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA chart showing how many turns each student gets on a piece of equipment during recess, using counting to ensure everyone gets a fair turn.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Use counting to manage turns on playground equipment.Playground Safety Planners
Students work together to create a comprehensive playground safety plan that includes hazard identification, safety rules, and strategies for preventing injuries.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written playground safety plan with sections on hazard identification, safety rules, and injury prevention strategies.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goals: Develop strategies for preventing playground injuries, Collaborate with classmates to design a playground safety plan.Safety Ambassadors: The Big Presentation
Students will prepare and deliver a presentation to another class or the school assembly, teaching them about playground safety and how to use math to ensure fair play.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA live presentation with visual aids (posters, skits) demonstrating playground safety rules and the importance of fair play, including the use of counting.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goals: Create a presentation to teach others about playground safety, Apply math skills to ensure fair access to playground equipment.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioPlayground Safety Mastery Rubric
Playground Safety Knowledge and Skills
Focuses on students' understanding and application of safety rules, communication skills, math skills for fair play, and collaboration abilities.Understanding and Application of Safety Rules
Demonstrates understanding of playground safety rules and their application.
Exemplary
4 PointsShows a sophisticated understanding of playground safety, applying rules innovatively and demonstrating exceptional critical thinking about potential hazards. Provides comprehensive evidence from multiple activities.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates a thorough understanding of playground safety, applying rules appropriately and showing effective critical thinking. Provides clear evidence from the activities.
Developing
2 PointsShows an emerging understanding of playground safety, applying rules inconsistently and demonstrating basic critical thinking. Provides limited evidence.
Beginning
1 PointsShows an initial understanding of playground safety but struggles with applying rules and demonstrates minimal critical thinking. Provides insufficient evidence.
Communication Effectiveness
Effectively communicates safety rules to peers and others.
Exemplary
4 PointsCommunicates safety rules with exceptional clarity and creativity, engaging the audience and adapting communication to different contexts. Demonstrates leadership in collaborative presentation.
Proficient
3 PointsCommunicates safety rules effectively using clear language and appropriate visuals, contributing positively to group presentations.
Developing
2 PointsCommunicates safety rules with some clarity, but may lack engagement or have inconsistent visuals. Participates in group presentations.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to communicate safety rules clearly and effectively, requiring significant support. Limited participation in group presentations.
Application of Math Skills for Fair Play
Applies math skills (counting, timing) to ensure fair play and turn-taking on playground equipment.
Exemplary
4 PointsApplies math skills innovatively to create fair and efficient systems for turn-taking, demonstrating exceptional problem-solving and leadership in ensuring inclusivity.
Proficient
3 PointsSuccessfully applies math skills to manage turn-taking, ensuring all students have fair access to playground equipment.
Developing
2 PointsApplies math skills inconsistently to manage turn-taking, with some inaccuracies or difficulties in ensuring fairness.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to apply math skills to manage turn-taking, requiring significant support to understand and implement fair play.
Collaboration and Teamwork
Collaborates effectively with classmates to design and implement safety plans and activities.
Exemplary
4 PointsShows leadership in collaborative settings, innovatively integrating diverse ideas and proactively supporting team members to create outstanding safety plans and activities.
Proficient
3 PointsContributes effectively to collaboration, working well with classmates to design and implement safety plans and activities.
Developing
2 PointsParticipates in collaboration, but may have difficulty integrating ideas or contributing consistently to the development of safety plans and activities.
Beginning
1 PointsRequires support in collaboration, struggling to work effectively with classmates to design and implement safety plans and activities.
Artifact Quality
Focuses on assessing the quality and completeness of the final products (skits, posters, safety plan, counting chart).Quality of Final Product
The final presentation and artifacts (skits, posters, safety plan, chart) demonstrate high quality and attention to detail.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe presentation and artifacts are exceptionally well-crafted, innovative, and engaging, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of safety principles and capturing audience attention effectively.
Proficient
3 PointsThe presentation and artifacts are well-crafted and engaging, demonstrating a clear understanding of safety principles.
Developing
2 PointsThe presentation and artifacts are adequate but may lack detail or engagement, demonstrating a basic understanding of safety principles.
Beginning
1 PointsThe presentation and artifacts are incomplete or poorly crafted, demonstrating a limited understanding of safety principles.