State Trooper Externship
(Paul Birmingham)
Rt. 16
Chocorua

Name: Brian Wigggin
School: Kenneth A. Brett
Grade levels: Seventh and eighth
Work phone: 323-7272, home#: 447-3426
e-mail address: Wiggyman@yahoo.com
Subject area: Social Studies

Preparation for teacher: On-going meetings between the state Trooper Paul Birmingham and teacher Brian Wiggin will be necessary. "Trooper Paul" used to be the D.A.R.E. Officer in the school and is expected to resume that position in January. I have long felt that though the D.A.R.E. Program is most beneficial for the fifth graders, but that the students need a link with a law enforcing agent in the following years. Trooper Birmingham has offered his services on a monthly basis during Social Studies classes.

Standards addressed: Law-enforcement falls under the Executive Branch of government -- therefore political standards will be addressed. Other areas will be included such as the historical development of law and recent modifications; local and state geography will be involved when we look at jurisdiction of local and state areas covered by the State: economics will be entailed when we look into punitive costs and settlements, many social issues will be raised as seen in the lesson plans to follow.

Resources needed: minimal, most of what we share will be from the two of us, if a field trip to the headquarters becomes a reality, we will need transportation.

Description of lessons: On a monthly basis one or more of these topics will be discussed with active student involvement:

l. Actual day-to-day- routine of an officer will be explored as welI as the necessary education one must have to go into this field. Paper work and recording statistics is monumental and varied (incident reports, filing, computerization of data); stucture of Troop E and the State hierarchy.

2. Traffic Rules and regulations (many will soon get their licenses)
a. D.W.I.
b. Emergency vehicle awareness
c. changing lanes
d. child passenger restraint

2. inspections
f. right of way
g. maintenance of vehicle
h. breath tests/efusal to take
i. railroad crossings
j. speeding
k. . driving without a license
l. motorcycle safety
m. cell phones: dangers and risks
n. loud music playing while driving
o. eating while driving
p. carrying explosive materials
q. changing road conditions
r. costs for violations and penalties

3.Safety Issues in the School:
a. fire drills
b. sidewalk and parking lot maintenance
c. hallway (shoving, pushing vs. courtesy and orderly conduct)
d. bicycle safety to and fro school
e. "big" vs. "little" students
f. intimidation and physical contact
g. weapons-free zone
h. cafeteria area
i. bus safety (moving seats; loud noise; disturbances and denial of privileges)
j. sanitary conditions
k. exits awareness
l. failure to make needed repairs
m. communicable diseases
n. drug-free zone
o. bomb scares or tarmpering with fire extinguishers

4. Safety Issues Outside of School:
a. similarities and differences to school environment
b. pedestrians, intersections, jay walking
c riding bicycles wisely
d. common accidents within the home
e. noise ordinances
f. hitchhiking
g. roller skating in roads
h. domestic violence

5. Substance Abuse:
a. folIow-up on D.A.R.E Program
b. new possession laws
c. inclusion of names of minors in local press for tobacco and alcohol possession
d. glue-sniffing
e. inhaling toxic vapors
j. bribery
k. burglary
l. concealment of merchandise
m. cruelty to animals
n. credit card fraudulency
o. disorderly conduct
p. forgery
q. obscenity
r. rioting
s. violation of privacy
t. reckless operation
u. shoplifting
v. stalking
w. unlawful entry
(reporting the above accurately)

10. Sexual harassment/abuse/assault
a. kinds of
b. resulting punishments and warnings
c. miniors criminal responsibility
d. child care
e. aggravated felonious assault
f. testimony in camera
g. speedy trial

11. Field Trip to Troop E.
a. watch dispatcher in action
b. view various rooms and functions of
c. see vehicles uses inside and devices within
d. fingerprinting apparatus
e. computerization process
f. filing methods
g. talk one on one and in group settings with different troopers at various levels

Student assessment: This will vary according to topics being discussed. Reinforcement of understanding of issues is necessary some can be done orally but a quiz or two from notes taken during the discussions and presentation will occur and be part of the Social Studies grade. Students will be encouraged from time to time to bring up issues of concern to them and come up with legal solutions as part of the assessment process Teacher and trooper will assess the effectiveness of the monthly presentation immediately and document strenths and weaknesses.