Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 1

Lesson Video

This page supports the lesson note with a companion video and a short classroom-ready summary.

For class groups and homework, share this lesson page so learners also get the summary, objectives, and full lesson context.

Performance objectives

• Find dangerous things at home.
• Know the safety rules for school.
• Tell the difference between 'safe' and 'unsafe'.
• Know which grown-ups to trust for help.
• Learn what to do if a stranger talks to you.

Lesson summary

This lesson focuses on foundational safety principles for young learners in both their home and school environments. In the South African context, where homes can range from formal houses to informal settlements, and where community safety is a significant concern, it is crucial for Grade 1 learners to begin identifying potential dangers and understanding how to react. The topic covers the identification of unsafe situations, dangerous objects (such as paraffin stoves, open fires, common cleaning chemicals like Jik, and sharp objects), and the importance of knowing who to trust.

Lesson notes

This section provides the core information for learners. Use a friendly and reassuring tone, with lots of pictures and gestures during the lesson. What Does 'Safe' Mean? 'Safe' is a feeling. It’s when you feel happy, comfortable, and protected. You are safe when you are holding your mom's or dad's hand to cross the road. You are safe when you are reading a book in the classroom. Safety means no one and nothing can hurt you. What Does 'Unsafe' Mean? 'Unsafe' is the opposite. It’s when you might get hurt, or you feel scared or worried. An unsafe situation is when you are in danger. It is unsafe to play near a busy road where cars are driving fast. It is unsafe to play with fire. Safety at Home Our homes are our special places, but they have some things that are only for grown-ups. These things can be dangerous for children.

Things That Are HOT: What: Stoves (electric or gas), kettles, pots of hot food, heaters, and open fires (like a braai or a paraffin stove).

Why it's dangerous: Hot things can burn your skin very badly. A burn is an 'ouchie' that hurts a lot and can make you very sick.

Example: Thabo's gogo is cooking pap on the stove. Thabo knows he must stay far away from the hot pot so he doesn't get burned. He plays with his toys on the floor instead.* Things That Can Poison You: What: Cleaning chemicals like Jik, Handy Andy, drain cleaner. Also, medicine that is not for you, paraffin, and bug spray.

Why it's dangerous: These things are poison. If you drink them or get them in your eyes, they can burn your insides and make you go to the hospital. They often have a picture of a skull and crossbones (☠️) which means DANGE

R. Example: Anele sees a green bottle of cool drink on the floor. But wait! She asks her mother first. Her mother says, "Well done for asking, Anele! That is not cool drink, it is poison for cleaning the floor." Anele now knows to never drink anything without asking a grown-up.* Things That Are SHARP: What: Knives, scissors, razor blades, broken glass.

Why it's dangerous: Sharp things can cut your skin and make you bleed.

Example: Only Dad can use the big knife to cut the meat. If I want to cut paper for my school project, I must ask my teacher for the special safe scissors for children.* Things with ELECTRICITY: What: Wall plugs (sockets), electrical cords, and appliances like the microwave or T

V. Why it's dangerous: Electricity is a very strong power that can shock you and hurt you badly.

Example: Never, ever stick your fingers or any object into the little holes in the wall. That is where the electricity lives!* Safety at School School is a place for learning and playing safely with our friends.

Classroom and Hallway Rules: We walk, we don't run. We keep our hands and feet to ourselves (no pushing or tripping). We use our inside voices. Why? Running inside can cause you to fall and hit your head. Pushing can hurt your friends.

Playground Rules: We wait our turn for the swings and slides. We go down the slide on our bottoms, feet first. We tell a teacher on duty if we see someone get hurt or if something on the playground is broken. Why? This prevents accidents and makes sure everyone gets a chance to play safely.

Dealing with Strangers: A stranger is anybody you do not know. Most strangers are good people, but because we don't know them, we must be extra careful.

The Rule: We NEVER take anything (like sweets or toys) from a stranger. We NEVER go anywhere with a stranger.

What to do: If a stranger tries to talk to you or give you something, you must: Shout "NO!" in your biggest, loudest voice. RUN away to a safe place (back into school, to your mom or dad, to a police officer). TELL a trusted adult immediately what happened. Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1: Picture Talk (Teacher shows a picture of a child safely playing with building blocks on the floor, and another child in the same room trying to pull a cord from a hot kettle on the counter.)

Teacher asks: "Point to the child who is being safe. Now, point to the child who is in an unsafe situation. Why is it unsafe?" Solution and

Commentary: The teacher should guide the learners to identify the child playing with blocks as safe. The child pulling the kettle cord is unsafe.

The teacher explains: "This is very dangerous because the hot kettle could fall and the boiling water would spill all over the child. This would cause a very bad burn. We never, ever play with electrical cords or things that are hot." Question 2: 'Safe' or 'Unsafe' Sorting Game (Teacher has a box with real-life objects or clear pictures of them: a teddy bear, an apple, an empty and clean bottle of Jik, a pair of children's safety scissors, a picture of a big knife, a book.)

Teacher says: "I will hold up an object. If it is safe for you to play with, you must give me a big thumbs up 👍.