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Module 4Learning about life on the farm and in the countryside

Lesson objectives:To learn about road safety in the countryside while out walking, cycling or with the transportation of animals on the farm.

Teacher guidelinesIn 2019, 19 people died in farm accidents (HSA, Ireland). The most common cause of farm accidents in Ireland is from tractors and other farm machinery. With that said, some children in Irish classrooms may be affected by farm and countryside accidents, and as such, this may be a sensitive subject for some children. It is suggested that the teacher introduces students to the basic concept of farm and countryside safety before starting the lesson.

Farm and countryside safety

Road safety in the countryside Drivers must drive very carefully when travelling through the countryside, as farmers may be moving animals from one field to another. The farmer will have help to warn motorists that the animals are crossing, allowing them sufficient time to slow down. Motorists could also come across loose animals, so they need to be aware of this and inform the farmer. Drivers may also encounter slow moving machinery like tractors, combine harvesters or trailers. Farmers keep a close eye on traffic around them and usually pull in at a safe place to allow traffic to pass. Large tractors, trailers and lorries transport animals and we need to stay a safe distance from the loading of these animals.

Road safety on your feet When you go for a walk in the countryside, you need to be aware of how to stay safe. If there are no footpaths present, you should walk on the right hand side of the road, facing the traffic. This is best because it allows traffic to see you. When the days become shorter and it begins to get dark earlier in the evening, it is especially important that you wear high visibility clothing so that drivers of vehicles can see you, but you should try to wear high visibility clothing at all times when walking on the road. Roads can be narrow in the countryside so keep in near the edge. Look at Module 1, safety and the countryside for the ‘Safe Cross Code’.

Curriculum links:• Science Environmental awareness and care • Geography Human environments• SPHE Myself

road safety tractors transport high visibility bicycle reflectors

Keywords for this lesson:

bales electric fences litter disease trespassing

It is important to stay away from round bales or haystacks as you could get hurt. Littering damages the environment and can harm farm animals and wildlife. We should never enter fields without the farmer’s permission.

Keywords and concepts introduced in previous modules:

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Module 4Learning about life on the farm and in the countryside

19AGRI AWARE AGRI AWARE

Suggested activities• Photocopy the activity sheet on page 49• Design a road safety poster and highlight the importance of road safety in the school

• Discuss with the class how to walk/cycle safely to school

• Look at safety while travelling in a car e.g. seatbelts/booster seats etc.

• Invite a local Garda in to talk about road safety and prepare an interview schedule beforehand

• Discuss why the farmer would move animals from one field to another

• Watch Agri Aware’s ‘Once Upon a Farm’ and discuss what other possible dangers are lurking with each scene

• Sign your class up to participate in the “Farm Safe Schools” interactive programme. For more information on how to register your class, visit: www.farmsafeschools.ie

Learning outcomes:At the end of this lesson, students should know how to stay safe when in the countryside

Additional resources:• www.agriaware.ie/farm-safety • www.agrikids.ie• Check out Agri Aware’s ‘Once Upon a Farm’ video on YouTube

Safety on your bicycle• Cycling in the countryside is great fun and it keeps you fit, but you must

follow the rules to stay safe

• Make sure to wear a cycle helmet at all times while cycling

• Cycle on the left hand side of the road, the same side that all vehicles travel on

• Never cycle against traffic

• Your bicycle should have a light and reflectors

• Never cycle with headphones, you must be able to hear as well as see

• Do not cycle on a footpath; paths are for pedestrians and not for cyclists

• Do not carry a passenger on your bike

• Make sure that your bike is in good working order, especially the brakes. Check your brakes to be sure that they work well. Check your tyres to make sure that they have enough air and the right amount of tyre pressure.

• Wearing bright clothes can help you to stay safe. It helps other people on the road see you, and if they see you, you will be safe.

• Always cycle with your hands on the handlebars

• Always stop and check for traffic in both directions when leaving your house and turning onto the road

• Cycle in a single file

REMEMBER: PLAY SAFE! BE SAFE!

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Module 4

49AGRI AWARE AGRI AWARE

Farm and countryside safety

1 Stay safe when you go cycling:

Crack the code:

A – 1 B – 2 C-3 D-4 E-5 F-6 G-7

H-8 I-9 J-10 K-11 L-12 M-13 N-14

O-15 P-16 Q-17 R-18 S-19 T-20 U-21

V-22 W-23 X-24 Y-25 Z-26

2 Find the road safety words in the word search

bike street seatbelt helmet crossing wait red listen green stop school patrol car traffic signals home footpath walk safe look

*To be used with teacher guidelines, page 18 and accompanying Farm Safety DVD at the front of the pack!

Activity sheet*

1 12 23 1 25 19

25 15 21 18

23 5 1 18

8 5 12 13 5 20

23 8 5 14 3 25 3 12 9 14 7

SSOVFNETSIL

ALPSOZSLOOK

FALTOLTWKTC

ENORTOOAKER

TGREPOPILMO

RITEAHPTALS

ASATTCKTWES

FXPTHSR EDHI

ICARGREENOG

CEKIBEMOHIY

FRTLEBTAESN

Name:

Date: