Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 5

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Identify common safety hazards.
• Explain why it's important to report unsafe situations.
• Demonstrate how to say 'no' assertively.
• Describe strategies for staying safe online.
• Outline the importance of personal boundaries.

Lesson summary

This lesson focuses on Keeping Myself and Others Safe. In South Africa, safety is a crucial concern for all learners. Issues like accidents at home or school, bullying, stranger danger, and the importance of responsible online behaviour are all relevant to learners' daily lives. This lesson aims to equip Grade 5 learners with the knowledge and skills needed to protect themselves and others in various situations. Understanding safety protocols and healthy relationships is vital for creating a secure and supportive environment for everyone.

Lesson notes

Safety at Home: Our homes should be safe havens, but accidents can happen.

Common hazards include: Kitchen: Hot stoves, sharp knives, cleaning chemicals. Always ask an adult for help when cooking. Never play with knives or cleaning products. Store chemicals out of reach of children.

Bathroom: Slippery floors, electrical appliances near water. Always dry your feet before using electrical appliances. Never touch electrical appliances with wet hands. Keep cleaning products out of reach.

Living Room/Bedroom: Tripping hazards (cords, toys), falls from furniture. Keep floors clear of clutter. Don't climb on furniture.

Outside: Pools (drowning hazard), sharp tools in the garden. Always swim with adult supervision. Stay away from sharp tools.

Example: Imagine Thando is home alone and wants to make toast. She knows the toaster is electrical, but she’s in a hurry and uses it with wet hands. This is a very dangerous situation because water conducts electricity, and Thando could get an electric shock. Instead, Thando should dry her hands thoroughly before using the toaster or ask a trusted adult for assistance.

Safety at School: School is a place for learning, but we need to be aware of our surroundings: Playground: Broken equipment, rough play. Report broken equipment to a teacher. Play fairly and be mindful of others.

Classroom: Sharp objects (scissors, rulers), spills. Use scissors and rulers carefully. Clean up any spills immediately.

Hallways: Running, pushing. Walk calmly and respectfully in the hallways.

Bullying: This is a serious issue. Never be afraid to tell a teacher or trusted adult if you are being bullied or see someone else being bullied.

Example: Sipho sees a group of older learners bullying a younger learner in the playground. Sipho feels scared but knows it's important to help. He should find a teacher or another adult and tell them what he saw. This is an example of being a responsible and caring classmate.

Online Safety: The internet is a great tool, but it can also be dangerous.

Stranger Danger: Never give out personal information (name, address, phone number) to strangers online. Don’t agree to meet someone you’ve only met online without an adult.

Cyberbullying: This is bullying that happens online. It can include sending mean messages, posting embarrassing photos, or spreading rumors. Block and report cyberbullies. Tell a trusted adult.

Privacy: Be careful about what you post online. Once something is online, it can be hard to remove. Don't share passwords with anyone except your parents or guardians.

Inappropriate Content: If you come across something online that makes you uncomfortable, tell a trusted adult.

Example: Zanele receives a friend request from someone she doesn't know online. They start sending her messages asking personal questions like her address and phone number. Zanele should not accept the friend request and immediately tell her parents or a trusted adult about the situation. This is a clear sign of potential danger.

Assertive Communication: Learning to say "no" politely but firmly is a crucial life skill.

It involves: Eye Contact: Look the person in the eye.

Clear Voice: Speak calmly and confidently.

Body Language: Stand tall and keep your arms uncrossed.

Rehearsal: Practicing saying "no" in different situations.

Example: Mandla's friends are pressuring him to skip school to go to the park. Mandla doesn't want to because he knows it's wrong.

He should say: "No, thank you. I'm not comfortable skipping school. I have a test tomorrow, and it's important for me to be in class." Healthy Relationships and Personal Boundaries: Healthy relationships are built on respect, trust, and communication. Personal boundaries are the limits we set for how others can treat us.

Respect: Treating others with kindness and consideration.

Trust: Believing in someone's honesty and reliability.

Communication: Talking openly and honestly about your feelings and needs.

Boundaries: Understanding what makes you feel comfortable and uncomfortable. Knowing when to say "no" to unwanted touch or pressure.

Example: Aisha feels uncomfortable when her cousin hugs her tightly for too long. She has the right to tell her cousin, "I appreciate the hug, but I prefer a shorter hug." This is Aisha asserting her personal boundary. Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1: List three potential safety hazards you might find in your kitchen at home.

Solution: Hot stove: Burns can occur if you touch a hot stove.

Sharp knives: Cuts can occur if you handle knives carelessly.

Cleaning chemicals: Poisoning can occur if you ingest cleaning chemicals.

Commentary: This question tests the learners’ ability to identify common hazards in a familiar setting. The solution provides specific examples and explains the potential danger of each hazard.

Question 2: Imagine someone online asks you for your address and phone number. What should you do?

Solution: I should not give them my address or phone number.