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 dangers at home and school.
• Learn the safety rule for each danger.
• Know which grown-ups to ask for help.
• Understand the 'No-Go-Tell' rule.
• Explain why safety rules are important.

Lesson summary

Safety is incredibly important, both at home and at school. In South Africa, it's vital that young children understand how to protect themselves and others from harm. This week, we'll learn about common dangers we might encounter and how to stay safe in different situations. Knowing these safety rules helps us to be responsible, independent, and able to enjoy our lives without unnecessary risks. We will also discuss the importance of knowing who to trust and who to ask for help. Imagine if someone offered you sweets and asked you to go with them without your parent's permission; understanding safety helps you know what to do.

Lesson notes

What is a Hazard? A hazard is anything that could cause harm or injury. It could be a sharp object, something hot, a slippery surface, or even a stranger.

Safety at Home: Our homes should be safe places, but sometimes dangers are lurking.

Sharp Objects: Knives, scissors, and broken glass can cut us badly.

Safety Rule: Always ask an adult to help you with sharp objects. Never play with them. Keep them stored safely away.

Example: Imagine your mom is cutting vegetables. You want to help, but she says, "Not with the knife, but you can help me wash the tomatoes." This keeps you safe.

Hot Things: Stoves, ovens, irons, and hot water can burn us.

Safety Rule: Stay away from hot things. Never touch the stove, even if it looks cool. Ask an adult to help you with hot water.

Example: The kettle is boiling. Don’t try to make tea yourself. Ask your dad or older sibling to help you.

Cleaning Products: Washing liquid, bleach, and floor cleaner can make us sick if we drink them or get them in our eyes.

Safety Rule: Never touch or taste cleaning products. They are not food! Ask a grown-up to use them.

Example: You see a colourful bottle of cleaning liquid. It looks like juice, but it's NOT! Tell a grown-up about it.

Electricity: Plugs, wires, and appliances can shock us if we touch them with wet hands.

Safety Rule: Never touch electrical things when your hands are wet. Ask a grown-up for help with plugs.

Example: You want to plug in your tablet charger. Make sure your hands are dry before you touch the plug.

Safety at School: School is a place for learning and fun, but we still need to be careful.

The Playground: Swings, slides, and climbing frames can be dangerous if we don't use them properly.

Safety Rule: Wait your turn, don't push, and hold on tight!

Example: You are on the swing. Don’t jump off while it's still moving. Wait for it to stop completely.

The Classroom: Desks, chairs, and sharp pencils can cause accidents.

Safety Rule: Walk carefully in the classroom, don't run. Keep pencils pointed down.

Example: Someone trips over your backpack in the classroom. Always keep your bag neatly next to your desk.

The Stairs: Running on stairs can cause falls.

Safety Rule: Walk carefully on the stairs and hold the handrail.

Example: The bell rings for break. Don't run down the stairs to be first in line.

Strangers: Someone you don’t know offering you things or asking you to go somewhere.

Safety Rule: No-Go-Tell. If a stranger approaches you, say NO, get away quickly (GO), and tell a trusted adult (TELL).

Example: A person you don't know offers you sweets outside the school gate. Say "No thank you" very loudly, walk quickly back inside the school, and tell your teacher.

Trusted Adults: Trusted adults are people we can always talk to and who will keep us safe. At home, this might be our parents, grandparents, older siblings, or caregivers. At school, it might be our teachers, principal, or school librarian. The "No-Go-Tell" Rule: This is a very important rule to remember when dealing with strangers. No: Say "No" firmly if a stranger approaches you and offers you something or asks you to go with them. Go: Get away from the stranger as quickly as possible. Run to a safe place, like your home, school, or a shop where there are other people.

Tell: Tell a trusted adult about what happened. This is very important, even if the stranger told you to keep it a secret. Secrets can keep you unsafe. Why Follow Safety Rules? Following safety rules keeps us safe from harm, helps us avoid accidents, and allows us to enjoy our activities without worry. Safety rules are like guidelines that help protect us and others. Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1: Name one thing at home that could be dangerous and explain how to stay safe around it.

Solution: A stove is dangerous because it gets very hot. To stay safe, never touch the stove, even when it looks cool, and always ask a grown-up for help when cooking or using the stove.

Commentary: This answer identifies a common household hazard and a clear safety rule to avoid it.

Question 2: What should you do if a stranger offers you a sweet and asks you to go with them?

Solution: I should say "No," run away as fast as I can to a safe place (like back to school or to a trusted adult), and tell a trusted adult what happened. This follows the "No-Go-Tell" rule.

Commentary: This correctly applies the "No-Go-Tell" rule to a real-life scenario.

Question 3: You see your younger sibling about to touch a plug with wet hands. What do you do?

Solution: I would immediately tell them to stop and explain that touching plugs with wet hands can give them a shock. Then, I would find a grown-up to help them with the plug, ensuring they dry their hands thoroughly first.

Commentary: This demonstrates understanding of electrical safety and responsible behaviour.

Question 4: You are on the playground and someone pushes you while you are on the swing. What should you do?