Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 1

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Identify at least three dangerous objects or situations at home (e.g., hot stove, cleaning chemicals, electrical outlets).
• Identify at least three dangerous situations at school (e.g., playing near the gate, running in corridors, bullying).
• State a simple safety rule for each identified danger (e.g., "Never touch the stove," "Tell a teacher if someone is unkind").
• Name at least one trusted adult at home (e.g., parent, gogo) and one at school (e.g., teacher, principal) they can talk to if they feel unsafe.
• Demonstrate through role-play how to say "NO!" loudly, run away, and tell a trusted adult if a stranger approaches them.

Lesson summary

Overview This lesson focuses on a critical life skill for young learners: understanding and practising safety at home and at school. For Grade 1 learners in South Africa, home and school are the two primary environments. While they should be places of security and learning, they can also contain potential dangers. This lesson aims to empower children by teaching them to identify these dangers—from a hot stove in the kitchen or an uncovered electrical socket at home, to navigating the playground or dealing with strangers near the school gate. By making them aware of simple, clear safety rules and identifying trusted adults they can turn to for help, we build their confidence and resilience.

Lesson notes

This section explains the core ideas about staying safe. A 'safe' situation is one where you are protected from harm or danger. An 'unsafe' situation is one where you could get hurt. A. Safety at Home Our homes are our special places, but they have things that can be dangerous if not used correctly. It's everyone's job to know the rules to stay safe.

In the Kitchen: What: The kitchen has hot things like the stove, oven, and kettle. It also has sharp things like knives and forks.

Why it's dangerous: Hot things can cause painful burns on your skin. Sharp things can cause cuts.

How to be safe: The kitchen is not a playground. Never touch the stove or pots when someone is cooking. Only a grown-up should use a kettle or sharp knives. Stay out of the kitchen when grown-ups are busy cooking unless they invite you to help with a safe task.

Example: Thabo sees his Gogo making pap on the stove. The pot is bubbling and steaming. Thabo knows the steam and the pot are very hot. He stands by the doorway and talks to his Gogo from a safe distance instead of running around her feet.

Electricity: What: These are the little holes in the wall (sockets) and the cords (cables) for the TV, fridge, and lights.

Why it's dangerous: Electricity is very powerful and can give you a big shock that can hurt you badly.

How to be safe: Never, ever poke fingers or any object into an electrical socket. Don't pull on electrical cords. If you see a damaged cord, tell a grown-up immediately.

Chemicals and Medicines: What: These are things like cleaning liquids (Jik, Handy Andy), bug spray, and pills or syrups from the doctor.

Why it's dangerous: Many of these items can look like cool drinks or sweets, but they are poison. If you eat or drink them, they will make you extremely sick.

How to be safe: Never touch or taste any cleaning products or medicines unless a trusted grown-up gives them to you. Medicines should always be given by a parent or guardian. B. Safety at School School is for learning and playing, and we have rules to make sure everyone is safe and happy.

On the Playground: What: Jungle gyms, slides, and swings.

Why it's dangerous: If you are not careful, you can fall and get hurt. Pushing, shoving, or running too fast can cause you or a friend to fall.

How to be safe: Take turns on the equipment. Don't push or pull others. Always look where you are going when you run. Use the equipment the way it's meant to be used (e.g., slide down the slide on your bottom, not your head).

Dealing with Strangers: What: A stranger is anyone you and your family do not know well.

Why it's dangerous: Most strangers are fine, but some might want to harm children. We can't tell by looking at them, so we must be safe with everyone we don't know.

How to be safe: The rule is: NO, GO, YELL, TEL

L. NO: If a stranger tries to talk to you, asks you to get in their car, or offers you sweets, say "NO!" in a loud voice. GO: Run away from the stranger as fast as you can.

YELL: Shout for help as you run. Yell things like "HELP! THIS IS NOT MY MOM/DAD!" TELL: Find the nearest trusted adult (teacher, security guard, parent) and tell them exactly what happened.

Example: Lerato is waiting for her dad outside the school gate. A car stops and a man says, "Hi Lerato, your dad is busy, he sent me to fetch you." Lerato has never seen this man before. She remembers the rule. She shouts "NO!", runs back to her teacher who is still at the gate, and tells her what happened.

Bullying: What: Bullying is when someone repeatedly says or does mean things to make you feel sad or scared. This can be calling names, pushing, hitting, or taking your things.

Why it's dangerous: Bullying hurts your feelings and sometimes your body. It is never okay, and it is not your fault.

How to be safe: If someone is bullying you, you must tell a trusted adult. Tell your teacher, the principal, or your parents. Telling is not tattling; it's getting help to solve a problem. Keep telling until an adult helps you. Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question (Picture Analysis): The teacher shows a picture of a toddler trying to pull a hot kettle down from a kitchen counter.

Teacher: "Look carefully at this picture. What is unsafe here? Why is it unsafe? What is the safety rule?" Solution: The unsafe thing is the child pulling the kettle. It is unsafe because the kettle is full of hot water that can spill and cause a very bad burn. The safety rule is to never touch the kettle and to stay away from hot things in the kitchen.

Question (Scenario): "Sipho is in the classroom and his pencil breaks. He sees a sharpener plugged into the wall socket. He tries to pull the plug out by yanking on the cord. Is this a safe choice?" Teacher: "What should Sipho have done instead?" Solution: No, this is not a safe choice. Pulling the cord can damage it and can be dangerous. The safety rule is to never pull plugs by the cord and to always ask a grown-up for help with electrical things.