Medicine Safety Basics

Carri Russell

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Medicine Safety Basics Plan

Students will learn three simple rules for using medicines safely—always ask an adult, take only what’s given, and never share their medicines—through guided discussion, poster review, and a hands-on matching activity.

Early habits around medicine safety prevent accidental misuse or poisoning. Interactive visuals and games help first graders internalize rules and feel confident asking adults before taking any medicine.

Audience

1st Grade

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Poster discussion and matching activity.

Materials

Three Rules Poster, Safety Rules Match-Up Worksheet, and Crayons or Colored Pencils

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Print one copy of the Safety Rules Match-Up Worksheet per student.
Display the Three Rules Poster prominently at student eye level.
Gather crayons or colored pencils.
Review the three safety rules yourself so you can guide discussion.

Step 1

Introduction to Medicine Safety

3 minutes

Ask students what they know about medicine and why people take it.
Explain that while medicines help us feel better, they must be used safely.
Tell students they will learn three simple rules to keep everyone safe.

Step 2

Explore the Three Rules

7 minutes

Point to the Three Rules Poster and read each rule aloud:
- “Always ask an adult before taking medicine.”
- “Take only the amount given by an adult.”
- “Never share your medicine with others.”
After each rule, have students repeat it and give an example of when they might need it.

Step 3

Safety Rules Match-Up Activity

8 minutes

Distribute the Safety Rules Match-Up Worksheet and crayons.
Explain that students will color each picture, cut out the images, and glue them under the matching rule.
Circulate and ask students to explain why each picture matches its rule.

Step 4

Review and Closing

2 minutes

Reconvene students and review all three rules together.
Invite volunteers to share one picture they matched and explain their choice.
Reinforce the importance of always asking an adult and praise students’ work.

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Slide Deck

Your 3 Medicine Safety Rules!

Always ask an adult before taking any medicine.
(👩‍🏫🗣️)
Take only the dose the adult gives you.
(💊➡️1️⃣)
Never share your medicine with friends or siblings.
(🚫🤝💊)

Use this poster at the start of the lesson to introduce and reinforce the three rules. Point to each icon as you read the rule aloud, then have students repeat it back. Encourage them to refer to this poster whenever they discuss medicine safety.

Worksheet

Safety Rules Match-Up

Color each picture, cut out the images, and glue them under the matching rule below. Use crayons or colored pencils to color the pictures first.

Pictures to Cut and Color

Picture A: A child asking an adult about medicine.
Picture B: A child showing a medicine bottle to a teacher.
Picture C: A child taking medicine with a measuring spoon given by an adult.
Picture D: A child alone about to take more medicine than needed.
Picture E: A child offering their pill to a friend.
Picture F: A friend trying to give medicine to another child.

Cut along the dotted lines, color each image, and glue them under the matching rule below.