Grade 2 Keeping My Body Safe Lesson Plan: Life Skills

Lesson Plan Title:
Grade 2 Life Skills Lesson Plan: Keeping My Body Safe

Materials Needed:
– A4 paper
– Crayons or coloured pencils
– Storybook about personal safety (e.g., “My Body! What I Say Goes!” by Jayneen Sanders)
– Chart paper and markers
– Safety rules handouts
– Digital projector or whiteboard (optional)
– Internet access for visual aids (optional)

Learning Objectives:
– Identify and understand the basic concept of personal safety.
– Recognise safe and unsafe situations.
– Learn the importance of saying “No” and telling a trusted adult.
– Understand basic safety rules that help protect their bodies.

Vocabulary:
1. Safety – Being protected from danger or harm.
2. Private – Something personal; not meant to be shared with everyone.
3. Trust – Believing that someone is honest and will not harm you.
4. Consent – Saying yes or giving permission.
5. Boundary – A limit that protects personal space and feelings.

Previous Learning:
Students have previously learned about different parts of the body and feelings. They have also touched on general safety rules within the home and school settings.

Anticipated Challenges and Solutions:
Challenge: Some students might feel shy or uncomfortable discussing safe and unsafe touches.
Solution: Use storybooks and role-playing to make the topic relatable and less intimidating.
Challenge: Students might have different understandings of personal boundaries due to cultural differences.
Solution: Be culturally sensitive and use clear, age-appropriate language to define universal safety rules.

Beginning Activities (4 minutes):
1. Greet the students and tell them that today’s lesson will be about keeping their bodies safe.
2. Read a short storybook (e.g. “My Body! What I Say Goes!”) to introduce the concept of personal safety and respecting boundaries.
3. Ask a few questions to activate prior knowledge, such as: “What is safety?” and “Can you tell me one rule that helps keep us safe?”

Middle Activities (32 minutes):
1. Direct Instruction (10 minutes):
– Introduce the key vocabulary words using chart paper.
– Discuss each word and provide examples.
– Explain the difference between safe touches (like a hug from a family member) and unsafe touches (like someone touching them in a private area without consent).

  1. Guided Practice (15 minutes):
  2. Create a T-chart on the board with “Safe” and “Unsafe” categories.
  3. Provide various scenarios (e.g., holding hands with a friend, a stranger asking for a hug) and have students place them in the correct category.
  4. Discuss why each scenario is safe or unsafe.

  5. Independent Practice (7 minutes):

  6. Hand out A4 paper and crayons or coloured pencils to each student.
  7. Ask them to draw a picture of a safe situation and an unsafe situation.
  8. Walk around to assist and provide feedback during this activity.

End Activities (4 minutes):
1. Gather students in a circle and have them share their drawings briefly.
2. Reinforce the importance of saying “No” in unsafe situations and telling a trusted adult.
3. Hand out safety rules worksheets for students to take home and review with their parents.

Assessment and Checks for Understanding:
– Observation during discussions and T-chart activity to gauge understanding.
– Review drawings to assess students’ ability to identify safe and unsafe situations.
– Listen to students share during the circle time to ensure they understand the importance of telling a trusted adult.

Differentiation Strategies for Diverse Learners:
– For students who struggle with drawing, provide pre-printed images they can colour and categorise.
– For advanced learners, ask them to write a short sentence about their drawings.
– Pair students who may struggle with language with peers who can help explain the concepts.

Teaching Notes:
– Emphasise the importance of using age-appropriate, non-frightening language.
– Encourage a respectful and supportive classroom environment.
– Make sure to allow for questions and provide clear, simple answers.
– Be mindful of any students who may have experienced trauma and need extra support.
– Ensure all materials are usable for students with disabilities by providing larger print versions or audio descriptions if necessary.

This lesson aligns with the CAPS curriculum for Grade 2 Life Skills, focusing on health and personal safety, helping students to develop the knowledge and skills they need to protect their own wellbeing.