Date: February 28, 1997

Grade level(s): 4, 5, 6

Subject(s):

• Health/Safety

Description:

In this lesson plan the students will learn what to do when stranded in a car during the middle of winter. From this experience my students will also learn how to construct a winter survival kit for their parents car.

Goal: Students will learn about winter survival.

Objectives:

1. The students will be able to list 5 things to do or not to do if stranded in a car.
2. Using materials at home, the students will be able to construct their own winter survival kit and then share it with the rest of the class.

Background information:

The students will be aware of how important it is to stay warm when outside during winter. They will also know the consequences if they are not properly dressed.

Concepts:

1. Cognitive thinking
2. Decision making

Materials:

1. An old coffee can
2. A big fat candle with wooden matches
3. A bright colored flag
4. Some food (candy bars and powdered soups)
5. Extra gloves, socks and hat
6. A cup, knife and spoon
7. Paper and pencil

Procedure:

Go over what to do if you get stranded in a car.

1. Crack a window
   
2. Stick the bright flag out the window or tie it to the antennas
   
3. Put on spare clothes
   
4. Light candle
   
5. Eat food only if needed
   

Go over what should be in a survival kit and what each thing should be used for.

Construct an example survival kit.

Have your kids practice making one in class and then go home and make their own.

Assessment:

1. Give a quiz, and have them identify five things to do when stranded in a car.
2. Observe their homemade survival kits, and ask them to explain what everything in it is for.
3. Use your car to have them demonstrate what to do if they get stranded.

Useful Internet Resources:
Outdoor Action Guide to Hypothermia and Cold Weather Injuries
http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/safety/hypocold.shtml

Hypothermia
http://www.adventuresports.com/asap/ski/skihypo.htm

Ski Patrol Web
http://www.skipatrol.org/#wsafety

Winter Camping & Hypothermia
http://www.macscouter.com/KeepWarm/

Winter Survival film - A short documentary on how to survive outdoors in winter.
http://cmm.nfb.ca/E/titleinfo/index.epl?id=13262&recherche=simple&coll=onf