Minds On
Being active
Do you enjoy being active?
Have you ever bumped your head on the field, on the gym floor, or on the ice?
Reading Time
Let’s read!
This is a true story about a seventeen-year-old named Rowan Stringer.
Rowan loved to play rugby. Rugby is a sport where players do not wear helmets (like in hockey and football).
While playing rugby for her high school team, Rowan hit her head twice.
Rowan’s injuries were not reported, but Rowan had a concussion.
Press ‘Concussion’ to access what it means.
After this injury, her brain needed time to heal.
Rowan was not feeling well and did not tell anyone. Rowan continued to play and had another concussion.
This time the concussion caused some swelling to her brain.
Rowan collapsed on the field on May 8, 2013, and sadly died four days later.
What happened to Rowan has shown that it is important to teach about concussion safety.
What do you think?
Why do you think that Rowan’s story was important enough that the government created a law that would affect all students in Ontario?
Record your ideas in a notebook or another method of your choice.
Action
Concussion
A concussion is a brain injury from a hit to any part of the head, or a sudden action that moves the head from one side to another, like a whip of the neck.
Explore the following images.
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
After exploring the images, consider how can all three of these images result in a concussion?
Record your ideas in a notebook or another method of your choice.
If possible, share your thoughts with a partner.
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
The signs
Ontario schools now teach about the steps and rules to follow when someone might have a concussion.
This is because of the tragedy that happened to Rowan, which led to the forming of Rowan’s Law.
It is important that adults, like teachers and coaches, know the signs and symptoms of a concussion.
It is important because knowing the signs and symptoms of a concussion could help save lives.
Check out some of the signs and symptoms of a concussion:
Headache
- headaches or “pressure” in head
- sick to the stomach or vomiting
- balance problems or dizziness
- double or blurry vision
- bothered by bright lights or noises
- brain feels foggy and slow
- confusion, hard to think and remember
- hard to sleep or really tired
- just not feeling “right”
After a concussion
Check out this video entitled “Concussion Awareness” to learn more about concussions and being safe.
Which order?
Place the four lessons Liam learned in the correct order.
Pause and Reflect
Pause and reflect
Reflect and respond to the following questions:
- Does it matter what order you follow the lessons?
- Which of the lessons do you think would be the hardest to follow?
- Liam called these lessons the team’s “Concussion Code of Conduct.” They all agreed to the code, which meant they would follow it. What are some things you could do to remember these lessons?
Record your thoughts in a notebook or another method of your choice.
Consolidation
Learning check!
Select the correct answer, then press ‘Check Answer’ to see how you did.
In the community
Create a poster or a short video about concussions so that others in the community can learn about it too.
Be sure to include:
If possible, share your poster or video with a partner or an adult.
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel…
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.