Mind the Gaps – A Road Safety Madlibs Story

Items Provided or Needed

• Narrative story (laminated) – Spanish Language Version
• Word bank – either cut out the words as game pieces that the reader will try to match correctly, or have a dry erase marker and eraser handy so participants can write the correct word in each blank.

Extras:

• Dry-erase marker and eraser (if using this option)
• Small prize to give to participants after completing the activity

How to Facilitate

Self-Paced Option:

1. Set out the narrative story on your event table. Arrange the missing words next to the narrative story so all the words are visible. (ALTERNATIVE: have the word bank displayed next to the narrative story and have a dry erase marker nearby.)
2. When a person wants to complete the activity, instruct them on how to do it. Encourage them to fill in the blanks they know first and come back to harder ones later.
3. Check for accuracy when completed and correct any mistakes. Once all correctly matched, end with a final message about how they have the power to choose to avoid being distracted while driving.
4. Optional: Give them a small prize for participating.

Facilitator Reading Option:

1. When a participant wants to complete this activity, the facilitator will first instruct them that they should listen to the story and their job is to identify the correct missing word.
2. Then the facilitator will begin reading the narrative story and pause when they reach the first blank. The participant should identify the correct missing word from the available words in the word bank.
3. If the participant guesses correctly, the facilitator continues reading the story, repeating this method until the story is complete and all words have been correctly filled in. If a participant incorrectly guesses a word, the facilitator will reveal the correct word and then continue.

Tips and Lessons Learned

• Note that there are two blanks (and words in the word bank) that are open-ended and allow the participant to come up with whatever school name and destination place they desire.
• For the self-paced method, the facilitator can fill in just the first word for them so they quickly see what they are supposed to do for this activity.
• Positive responses and encouragement are key to this activity! Build them up, not down.
• MAKE IT GREAT! You could have multiple laminated copies and markers and that allows for more than one person to complete it at the same time (and introduce some healthy competition if so desired!)

Reporting Requirements

Make sure to include:

• A summary of the event
• Number of volunteers supporting the activity
• A sign-in sheet of volunteer names with date, start time, and end time (TX schools only)
• A sign-in sheet of volunteer names from planning meetings (TX schools only)
• Photo(s) conducting the activity