Cross This Way
“Cross This Way” is a dynamic tool for educating elementary and middle school students about safe choices in New York City's traffic environment.
The “Cross This Way” program is the official pedestrian safety curriculum for all New York City elementary and middle schools. Through video, hip-hop music, choreography, and easy to follow accompanying materials, the curriculum illustrates situations where students are most commonly injured and delivers strategies for success. With a playbook that recaps the scenarios and a checklist of tips, students can assess what went wrong and are encouraged to make safe choices. This curriculum is designed for 4th through 6th grades, and can be delivered in one standard classroom period.
“Cross This Way” was developed by NYC DOT’s Safety Education and Outreach division with the support of the New York City Department of Education. This curriculum focuses on dangers specific to elementary and middle school students, typically age 9 through 11, who may be navigating City streets without supervision for the first time.
Education is an important part of the Mayor’s Vision Zero initiative to eliminate traffic fatalities and injuries. We hope that elementary and middle school teachers will spend one class period a year sharing the workbook, interactive video and simple lesson plan enclosed in the “Cross This Way” starter kit. We strongly encourage every school to schedule this time and use this effective tool in the fight to make our streets as safe as possible.
Watch the full-length classroom video and the shortened online version on Vimeo.