Standard of Learning

K.3 The student will explain the concept of being safe. Key concepts/skills include:

1. the need for rules and practices;
2. the differences between emergency and nonemergency situations;
3. the choices that prevent injuries (e.g., wearing helmets, using seat belts and safety seats, tying shoelaces).

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Understanding the Standard

The student will understand that taking proper safety measures will help to prevent injuries.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

The student will:

• define choices. (what you decide to do)
• identify choices that prevent injuries. (you make decisions that will help to keep you safe)
• give examples of safety measures or safety equipment used regularly.
• identify safety choices at school, home, a pool, on the playground, as a pedestrian, on a bus, in a vehicle, when riding a bike, etc.
• give examples of safety choices if you encounter a stranger, during a bad storm, or if you find a gun.

Lesson Ideas

• Be a Risk Watcher. The kindergarten students will participate in a project with older elementary students. Each older student will pair up with a kindergarten student and will assist the kindergarten student in writing and drawing a picture of a safety message. When completed, each of the illustrations will be put together to create a class safety book.
• Match Safety. Make two large books of matches and tape them on the board. One can be entitled: "The Dangers of Matches" and the other could be called: "Safety with Matches." Ask the children to list the dangers and safety of matches and write them on the correct book of matches. For older students, you could have them memorize each book of matches, say them aloud and give them a prize.
• Pet Safety. Students learn ways to approach pets that are with their owners by practicing several scenarios using stuffed animals on leashes.
• Water Safety. Using a puppet to pose situations about water safety, students practice decision-making skills by suggesting options and consequences to the puppet.
• Discuss the need for fire protection in the home and other buildings. Talk with students about practicing an Exit Drill in the Home (EDITH) and the importance of "stop, drop, and roll.”
• Explain to the students how they can help develop a fire escape plan with their family. Do a sample plan together.
• Review the main points and briefly discuss basic pedestrian rules. Have students talk about where they walk, what they do when there are no sidewalks, and what they watch for when going to and from school. The groups of students who take the school bus, come by car, or walk, will likely relate different rules. Point out how the basic rules - Stop, Look left, right, left, and Listen for vehicles and trains, and obey traffic signals - must be followed by all people when they are walking. Teach students the rhyme:
  --Stop, look and listen;
  --Before you cross the street; Use your eyes; Use your ears; Then use your feet.
• Discuss the hazards of walking in poor weather conditions and at different times of day and ways to reduce the possibility of injury, (i.e., use light-colored or reflective clothing in rain and snow, take short steps on ice, etc.).
• Have the students talk about how they use sight and hearing to alert them to traffic signs, car horns, emergency vehicles, etc., so they can obey rules and avoid danger.
• Have students role play crossing the street, or take a walk and observe their actions and discuss.
• Have the students share with the class when and how they had a fall(s) and why it happened.
• Emphasize that keeping stairs clear is a way of preventing injury. Also, remind students that they should be careful when climbing ladders or trees, and should not lean out of open windows. Prevention and protection, like wearing a bicycle helmet, go together.

Sample Lessons

Be Smart, Be Safe!
Grade 1-12
In this lesson plan, students are asked to generate lists of safety rules in an assigned area of safety concern (bus safety, automobile safety, etc). Once complete, the teacher will work with the class to expand the lists, allowing the students to take part in establishing the safety rules they are expected to know.
http://www.dunebrook.org/lessons/be_smart_be_safe.htm
Sponsor: Dunebrook
Free

Everyday Hazards: Safety Lessons
Grades K-2
VDFP Kids focuses on four broad safety themes: installing and testing smoke alarms; planning and practicing escape routes; bicycle safety and hunting for home hazards. Each theme addresses major safety concerns for children in grades K-6. These lessons are correlated to the Virginia Standards of Learning.
http://www.vafire.com/fire_safety_education/vdfpkidsk-2.html
Sponsor: Virginia Department of Fire Programs
Free

Fire Safety
Grade K
Through this lesson, students will learn about the role of a fire fighter along with important fire safety tips. They will demonstrate their ability to crawl to safety by crawling to a fire fighter, who is wearing full gear. And will identify fire fighters as helpful members of the community.
http://www.eduref.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Health/Safety/SFY0201.html
Sponsor: Educator’s Reference Desk
Free

Hurts and Hazards Kids, Kitchen Accidents, and Safety
In this series, the developmental skills in the preschool years are divided into three general levels: 2-3 years = naming and identifying, 3-5 years = sorting and classifying and 4-6 years = ordering, sequencing and comprehension. Helps children learn limits to prevent hurts and hazards and sort out safety procedures to prevent serious accidents. Uses small group experiences in centers throughout the room.
Sponsor: Virginia Cooperative Extension
Contact: http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/preschoolnutr/348-655/348-655.html
Free

Playground Safety
Grades Preschool-K
Young children enjoy playing on swings, slides and other equipment at the playground. It is important they learn how to safely use the equipment at an early age to avoid accidents. Children can still have fun while playing correctly and safely.
http://pbskids.org/barney/pareduc/educators/lesson714.html
PBS Kids                            
Free

Safety First
Grades K-1
It is important that children learn the importance of safety through different skills. Through this lesson, children will gain a perspective in recognizing unsafe situations and selecting the correct response or reaction. Teaching children to be aware is also teaching them to be responsible for themselves and to use their best judgments.
http://www.eduref.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Health/Safety/SFY0009.html
Sponsor: Educator’s Reference Desk
Free

Say No to Pyro – Fire Safety
Grades K-1
This lesson will identify potentially dangerous situations involving fire. This will show them what to do when they come across a situation where there is a possible problem.
http://www.eduref.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Health/Safety/SFY0007.html
Sponsor: Educator’s Reference Desk
Free

Sun Smart
Grades K-1
In this lesson, students learn how to protect themselves from the dangers of the sun. Although aimed at students living in Australia, this activity can be adapted by teachers worldwide.
http://www.eduref.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Health/Safety/SFY0200.html
Sponsor: Educator’s Reference Desk
Free

Additional Instructional Resources

• American Red Cross - http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_584_,00.html
• CDC-National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Fact Sheets - http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/cmprfact.htmandhttp://www.cdc.gov/ncipc
• Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) - http://www.cpsc.gov/kids/kidsafety/index.html
• The Educators Reference Desk- School Safety - http://www.eduref.org/cgi-bin/lessons.cgi/Health/Safety
• Health Teacher (membership fee) - http://www.healthteacher.com
• Kids Health For Kids- Watch Out - http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/
• Lowes Home Safety Council for Teachers - http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/home/home_april_w002.aspx
• National SAFEKIDS Campaign - http://www.safekids.org
• National Safety Council - http://www.nsc.org
• RISKWATCH - http://www.riskwatch.org
• Safe America - http://www.safeamerica.org
• Safe USA - http://www.safeusa.org
• Safety – http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/(health & fitness – k-2)
• Safety Advice from EMS - "A Guide to Injury Prevention" - Traffic Safety Lesson Plans for Fire and Rescue Personnel - "An Eggs-Sperimental Car Crash"
• School Rules for the Gymnasium, Classroom, Playground, and Lunchroom
• Social Skills – http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/(health & fitness – K-2)
• Virginia Center for School Safety - http://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/vcss/index.cfm
• VDH, Center for Injury & Violence Prevention (CIVP) - http://www.vahealth.org/civp
• Virginia Water Safety Coalition
  
• Watch Out for Kids Health - http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch

Assessment Ideas

The student will:

• draw a picture of safety choices in different situations.
• role-play safety choices in different situations.

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