Content Area: Health and Physical Education

 

Index: 2.1E Grade 2 CPI 2

 

Standard: 2.1 - Wellness

 

Strand: E -  Safety

 

Cumulative Progress Indicator: 2 - The student will explain and demonstrate simple first aid procedures, including getting help and calling 911, knowing personal information such as address and phone number, avoiding contact with blood and other body fluids, and caring for small cuts.

 

Grade: 2

 

Sample Activities:

 

·        SAFE HELPERS - Ask students to define the word safe. Write definitions on the board. Ask students to relate times when they feel safe and write those on the board. Then tell the class that they will be working with some older students who will help them decide what to do in situations that might not make them feel safe. Divide the class into small groups with a peer educator assigned to each group. The peer educator helps keep the group on track, offers suggestions to group members, and helps them think through the problem. Give each group a situation such as:
-        You are playing on the playground when a man approaches you and asks for directions.
-        Your friends dare you to touch a downed electrical wire.
-        You are walking home alone and have to cross a busy intersection without a crossing guard.
-        Your baby-sitter leaves you alone in your apartment while she visits friends.
-      Someone you do not know calls your name and tells you to come with him/her; the person tells you your mom is sick.

Students answer the following questions about each situation:
1. What is the problem?
2. How do I feel?
3. What should I do to feel safe?
4. What are my choices?
5. Who can I trust to help me?

Each group presents their situation with the help of the peer educator. As a culminating activity, each group creates a “People We Trust” collage for display.

 

·        STAYING BELOW THE SMOKE LINE - Ask students: “What happens when there is a fire?” Student responses should include heat, flames, and smoke. Explain that students need to know what to do when dealing with fire and smoke. Teach students this saying; “Smoke Goes Up, So You Go Down.” Students imagine the room is filled with smoke and squat low to the ground. Ask: “Where would you look for a way to escape? Can you see? It is very smoky. What else should we think about?” Explain that the door might be very hot because there may be fire on the other side. Emphasize that you cannot hide in a closet or cabinet from the smoke—that it will seep inside and make it harder and harder to breathe. As students return to their seats, place a diagram of the classroom on the chalkboard. Students map different classroom escape routes.

Variation: During a school fire drill, have older students, parents, or other school staff members hold signs that say “Smoke” or “Flames.” Students must alter their routes accordingly. Collaborate with the fire department for this activity.

Variation: Students design an escape route plan for their home. Send a letter to parents and guardians explaining the activity and asking them to assist in the design and practice session. Variation: Students investigate to see if their home has one or more smoke alarms. Students ask an adult family member to help them test the smoke alarm to see if it is working. Send a letter to parents and guardians explaining the activity. Coordinate with the local fire department so families without alarms can receive assistance to obtain one.

 

·        WHO'S CALLING? - Ask the students: “Who is always around to protect you from danger?” (Lead students to respond that they can protect themselves.) Explain that they have the power to be street smart and safe and protect themselves from stranger danger. Discuss this concept and then ask: “Can you tell if a person is nice by his/her appearance? Can you tell if he/she might hurt you?” Divide the class into several small groups and assign a peer educator to each group. Give each group a situation to role-play. The peer educator assists the students to solve the problem and directs the skit. After each group acts out its scenario, discuss what the students did correctly and safely in each one. Students complete the activity by writing a brief journal entry on stranger safety rules.

Variation: Using a play telephone, each child practices various kinds of 911 emergency calls.

Variation: Invite a local police officer to visit the class and discuss community safety.