Act as a Responsible Citizen

Act as a Responsible Citizen – Think Challenge #1

Fire Pony

On your own or in groups of 3 or 4, read the novel Fire Pony by Rodman Philbrick.

After finishing the novel, with your group or in the online discussion area called “Fire Pony” (requires Desire2Learn), talk about the book. Use the following questions as a guide to your discussion.

1. Why was Joe on the run? What had he done in Montana?
2. At what point in the story do we really see that Roy is afraid of what his brother will do?
3. The theme of fire comes up often in this story. Why?
4. Why do you think that Joe has such an interest in fire?
5. Was there anything Joe or Roy could have done to solve the problem?
6. What would you do if you knew someone like Joe? Would you try to help him? How?

With a partner, prepare a multimedia presentation that compares the characters of Roy and Joe. Talk about their strengths and weaknesses and decide who the stronger person is. Use examples from the story to back up your ideas.

Act as a Responsible Citizen – Think Challenge #2

Watch the video below to hear what Firefighter Ron says about how fires set by people playing with fire affects firefighters.

With a partner, prepare a chart using Word, Excel, Apple Works or pen and paper that shows all the people and groups that can be affected by a fire that is deliberately started. Beside each group that you identify, write what you think their reaction to the fire starter would be. Use the chart below as an example.

Once you've finished your chart get together with another group and compare. What parts are the same? Which are different?

Act as a Responsible Citizen – Think Challenge #3

An Ounce of Prevention

Have you ever heard the phrase, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?” When you're talking about fire this is really true. Damage to property from fires can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair. Injuries can last a lifetime and affect everyone close to a victim.

Think of how many resources and how much pain and suffering can be avoided if fires are not started in the first place.

Teach the Children about Fire Safety

When people learn about fire safety when they are young, the more likely they are to practice good fire safety as they grow older.

In a group of four prepare a presentation for a group of grade 1 or 2 students that will teach them basic fire safety.

Listen to some of the videos found throughout this Fire Safety site and then use the following sites to begin to gather information that children should know about fire safety.

• Hunt for Home Hazards
• Staying Alive: Fire Safety

Plan a way to make your presentation interesting, fun and informative. It must teach children about the danger of playing with fire and show them what to do if they see a dangerous fire situation. Keep in mind that young children cannot sit still for long periods of time, so your presentation must include activities that will keep them involved. Your presentation should not be more than ten minutes long.

Act as a Responsible Citizen – Think Challenge #4

Fundraising for a Good Cause

Watch the videos below to hear firefighter Garth Rabel talk about how the firefighters raise money for the Burn Unit at the Foothills Hospital.

How Can You Make a Difference?

In groups or as a class discuss and think of ways that you may be able to raise money to donate to the Burn Unit. You may decide to do several small projects or a larger one as a whole class.

Plan out your ideas and prepare a short multi-media presentation to show how your fund raising idea will work. You are welcome to contact Carol Henke, Community Safety Officer at carol.henke@calgary.ca to tell her what you would like to do and arrange a time for her, or another representative, to come to the school and see your idea.

Discuss your idea with the person who comes to the school and arrange the details of how money will be collected and what your contributions will go towards.

Keep a video diary of the process the class goes through in planning and carrying out this fundraising project. Show it at a school assembly or school council meeting.

Act as a Responsible Citizen – Think Challenge #5

Create a Home Fire Escape Plan... and more!

Everyone should have a home fire escape plan that they practice regularly. Click here to see how the Miller family created and practiced their escape plan.

Now, create a plan for your own house. Click here to explore a planning sheet for making your own escape plan. Print off the sheet and draw a map of your house. Be sure to use a separate page for each level.

Something to Try with a Peer...

It's important for you to create an escape plan, but of equal importance is encouraging others to do so. With a partner, or in groups of 3, create a presentation to explain why everyone should have a fire escape plan.

• Include reasons to have an escape plan
• A description of how to make a plan
• You want to involve younger members of a family, so think of ways to make your presentation so younger children can understand

Show your presentation to your class and see if you can get permission to present to some grade 1 or 2 classes, or maybe even at a parent's council meeting.

Here is a website to get you started:

• http://www.usfa.fema.gov/safety/escape

Act as a Responsible Citizen – Think Challenge #6

Create a Public Service Announcement

A Public Service Announcement (PSA) is a commercial that informs people about important issues and is usually run by a radio or television station for free.

How can students make a difference using media? What is our role as a responsible citizen in preventing dangerous fires?

Click here to watch some video PSAs made by Canadian youth about the dangers of smoking.

Now Make Your Own!

Make a public service announcement that addresses fire safety and/or fire starting. How can students make a difference? What is our role as responsible citizens in preventing dangerous fires?

You may make a video or radio PSA depending on what equipment you have available to you.

If you have a digital video camera you can film and download your PSA using Movie Maker or iMovie.

If you want to make a radio PSA you can also use Movie Maker or iMovie, or you can also record in PowerPoint using the Record Narration button under the “Slide Show” tab.

Some Great Pointers

1. It is a good idea to storyboard your video PSA before recording it.
2. You don’t need a storyboard for radio, but a script is a good idea. Write down what will be said and any sound effects you will need.
3. Don’t forget that the main purpose of a PSA is to get a message across. Keep it simple and clear. Don't use too many special effects.

Show it off!

Before you submit your PSA, present it to the class, the school, or maybe you can have it played on a community radio or TV program!