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.

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Performance objectives

• This week in Life Skills, we will be learning about staying safe at home and at school. Safety is incredibly important because it helps us avoid getting hurt and allows us to feel comfortable and secure in our surroundings. In South Africa, many children face risks at home and school, so knowing how to protect ourselves is vital. These risks can range from accidents like falling to interactions with strangers. By understanding safety rules and knowing what to do in different situations, we can keep ourselves and our friends safe.
• Learning Objectives: By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:
• Identify at least three potential hazards in their home environment and three at school.
• Explain the importance of following safety rules at home and school.
• Demonstrate how to seek help from a trusted adult in a dangerous or uncomfortable situation.

Lesson summary

This week in Life Skills, we will be learning about staying safe at home and at school. Safety is incredibly important because it helps us avoid getting hurt and allows us to feel comfortable and secure in our surroundings. In South Africa, many children face risks at home and school, so knowing how to protect ourselves is vital. These risks can range from accidents like falling to interactions with strangers. By understanding safety rules and knowing what to do in different situations, we can keep ourselves and our friends safe.

Lesson notes

What is Safety? Safety means being protected from danger, harm, or risk. It’s about making sure we are not likely to get hurt or experience something unpleasant. Safety applies to all areas of our lives, including our homes, schools, and communities. Safety at Home Our homes should be safe places where we can relax and feel comfortable.

However, accidents can happen if we are not careful.

Hazards: A hazard is anything that can cause harm.

Some common hazards at home include: Sharp objects: Knives, scissors, and broken glass can cut us. Always ask a grown-up to help you with sharp objects. Never play with them.

Hot things: Stoves, irons, and hot water can burn us. Never touch a hot stove, even if it looks like it’s off. Wait for it to cool down. Don't play near the geyser.

Poisons: Cleaning products, medicines, and pesticides can make us very sick if we eat or drink them. Always ask a grown-up before touching anything that smells funny or is in a container you don't recognize. Keep all medicines locked away.

Electrical outlets: Sticking fingers or objects into electrical outlets can give us a shock. Only grown-ups should use electrical appliances and electrical outlets.

Water: Slippery floors and open water (like in a bucket) can cause falls. Never run near water and always dry up spills immediately. Swimming pools require constant adult supervision.

Fire: Playing with matches or lighters is very dangerous and can start a fire. Never play with fire and always tell a grown-up if you see matches or a lighter lying around.

Safety Rules: Always ask a grown-up for help when using sharp objects or hot things. Never touch medicines or cleaning products without asking a grown-up. Keep away from electrical outlets and wires. Don’t run inside the house, especially on slippery floors. Never play with fire. If there is a fire, tell a grown-up immediately and get out of the house. Know your emergency contact number. Teach the children how to dial

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2. Safety at School School is a place for learning and playing, but it’s also important to be safe.

Hazards: Sharp objects: Scissors, pencils, and rulers can be dangerous if not used carefully.

Playground equipment: Swings, slides, and jungle gyms can cause injuries if we are not careful.

Running in the halls: Running in the halls can lead to accidents.

Strangers: Talking to or going with strangers can be dangerous.

Safety Rules: Use scissors and other sharp objects carefully. Follow the rules when playing on playground equipment. Walk, don’t run, in the halls. Never talk to or go with strangers. If a stranger approaches you, tell a teacher or another trusted adult immediately. If you get hurt, tell a teacher immediately. Bullying is not allowed. Report it immediately to a teacher. Strangers A stranger is someone you don't know. It's important to be careful around strangers because we don't know if they are safe.

Stranger Danger Rules: Never talk to strangers. Never accept gifts or sweets from strangers. Never go anywhere with a stranger, even if they seem friendly. If a stranger approaches you, run away and tell a trusted adult immediately. Seeking Help If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, it’s important to tell a trusted adult. A trusted adult is someone you can rely on, like a parent, teacher, grandparent, or older sibling.

How to Seek Help: Tell the trusted adult what happened. Be clear and specific about what made you feel unsafe. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Worked example

Example 1: Finding a Bottle of Poison Imagine you find a bottle under the kitchen sink that has a skull and crossbones on it. What should you do?

Solution: Do not touch the bottle! Immediately tell a grown-up, like your mom or dad. They know how to handle dangerous substances. Never try to smell or taste it.

Example 2: A Stranger at School A man you don’t know approaches you at school and offers you a sweetie if you go with him to his car. What should you do?

Solution: Do not accept the sweetie or go with him. Run away from him and tell a teacher right away. The teacher will know how to keep you safe and report the stranger.

Example 3: Seeing Smoke You see smoke coming from the kitchen while your parents are outside. What should you do?

Solution: Shout for your parents immediately. If they don't hear you, leave the house quickly and go to a safe place like a neighbor's house. Do not try to put out the fire yourself.

Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1: You are playing in the kitchen, and you see your little brother reach for a bottle of cleaning liquid. What should you do?

Solution: You should immediately tell your little brother to stop and explain that cleaning liquid is dangerous and can make him sick. Then, tell a grown-up about what happened so they can move the cleaning liquid to a safer place.

Explanation: This answer emphasizes both immediate action (stopping the brother) and reporting the situation to a trusted adult, showing an understanding of preventing immediate harm and longer-term safety.

Question 2: While playing on the jungle gym at school, you see one of your classmates trying to climb up the slide instead of using the ladder. What should you do?