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Our Safety Circle

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Lesson Plan

Our Safety Circle

Students will be able to identify and understand safe physical and verbal boundaries with other students in the school setting, promoting a sense of safety and respect among peers.

Understanding safe boundaries with peers helps students feel secure, know how to interact appropriately with classmates, and fosters a positive and respectful learning environment for everyone.

Audience

1st Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through discussion, visual aids, and an interactive movement activity.

Materials

Whiteboard or Projector, Markers, Our Safety Circle Slide Deck, Safe or Unsafe Peer Scenario Cards, Boundary Brainstorm Worksheet, and Cool Down Reflection Slip

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm Up: Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down

5 minutes

  • Begin with the Warm Up: Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down activity.
  • Introduce the concept of 'safe' and 'unsafe' actions or interactions in a general context.
  • Ask students to show a thumbs up for safe actions and a thumbs down for unsafe actions.
  • Facilitate a brief discussion on their responses.

Step 2

Introduction to Our Safety Circle

5 minutes

  • Use the Our Safety Circle Slide Deck to introduce the lesson.
  • Slide 1: Title Slide - Display the title of the lesson: "Our Safety Circle: Safe Ways to Interact with Friends". Briefly explain that today they will learn about how to interact safely and kindly with their classmates.
  • Slide 2: What Are Boundaries? - Explain that boundaries are like invisible lines that help us know how to treat each other and how we like to be treated. They help everyone feel safe and respected. Use a simple analogy, like a fence around a garden to protect the flowers.
  • Slide 3: Why Do Boundaries Matter? - Discuss that boundaries help us stay safe, show respect, and build trust. Explain that knowing boundaries helps us feel comfortable and confident at school.
  • Slide 4: Our Safety Circle - Introduce the idea of a 'Safety Circle' with trusted friends and adults at school. Ask students who might be in their Safety Circle among their friends.

Step 3

Activity: Safe or Unsafe Peer Scenario Cards

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Safe or Unsafe Peer Scenario Cards to students.
  • Explain the activity: students will read or hear a scenario and decide if it's a safe or unsafe interaction with another student at school.
  • Instruct students to move to one side of the room for "SAFE" and the other side for "UNSAFE".
  • After each scenario, briefly discuss why it is safe or unsafe, allowing a few students to share their reasoning.
  • Emphasize that it's important to listen to their feelings and to speak up if something doesn't feel right.

Step 4

Discussion: Why Boundaries Matter

5 minutes

  • Bring students back together after the activity.
  • Lead a brief discussion using the Discussion: Why Boundaries Matter prompts.
  • Focus on reviewing some of the scenarios and clarifying why they were safe or unsafe.
  • Emphasize that it's always okay to ask questions if they are unsure about an interaction.
  • Reinforce the importance of telling a trusted adult if something feels unsafe or uncomfortable with a peer.

Step 5

Cool Down: My Safe Space

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Cool Down Reflection Slip.
  • Ask students to draw or write one thing they learned about safe boundaries with friends or one way they can show safe interactions with classmates at school.
  • Collect the slips as an exit ticket.
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Slide Deck

Our Safety Circle: Safe Ways to Interact with Friends

Learning how to be safe and respectful with our classmates!

Welcome students and introduce the topic of safe interactions with their friends at school.

What Are Boundaries?

Think of boundaries like invisible lines around you.
They help us know how to treat each other.
They help everyone feel safe and respected.

Explain boundaries using a simple analogy, like an invisible shield or a personal bubble. Emphasize that everyone has a personal space and different comfort levels with their friends.

Why Do Boundaries Matter?

Boundaries help us:

  • Feel safe and comfortable
  • Show respect to our friends
  • Build trust with our classmates

Discuss why these invisible lines are important. Focus on feeling safe, showing respect, and building trust with classmates.

Our Safety Circle: Trusted Friends & Adults

At school, we have friends and grown-ups in our Safety Circle!
These are people who help keep us safe and learning.
Who are some trusted friends and adults at school?

Introduce the idea of a 'Safety Circle' with trusted friends and adults at school. Ask students who might be in their Safety Circle among their friends and also remind them of trusted adults.

Safe Ways to Interact: Physical with Friends

It's safe to:

  • Give a high-five or fist bump if your friend wants to
  • Play tag or run with your friends if it's safe and allowed
  • Share toys gently
  • Stand a comfortable distance from your friends when talking

Provide clear, age-appropriate examples of safe physical interactions with friends. Use positive language. Ask students for other examples they can think of.

Safe Ways to Interact: Talking with Friends

It's safe to:

  • Ask a friend to play
  • Tell a friend how you feel (e.g., "I'm sad because...")
  • Ask a friend to share
  • Use kind words when you talk to your friends

Provide clear, age-appropriate examples of safe verbal interactions with friends. Emphasize that it's good to talk to friends about playing, feelings, or sharing.

What If Something Feels Unsafe with a Friend?

If an interaction with a friend feels:

  • Uncomfortable
  • Confusing
  • Wrong

It's important to tell a trusted grown-up or another friend right away!

Briefly touch upon unsafe interactions with friends, focusing on identifying feelings and actions. Emphasize the 'tell a trusted adult' message.

Your Feelings Matter!

It's okay to say "No" if you don't want a hug or if someone is too close.
Your body and your feelings are important.
Always trust your gut feeling!

Empower students to assert their boundaries with friends. Reiterate that their feelings matter and they have a voice.

Who Can Help Me?

Remember, your trusted friends and adults are always there for you!
They want to help keep you safe.
If you ever feel unsafe with a friend, tell:

  • Your teacher
  • Your principal
  • A school counselor
  • Your parents or a grown-up at home

Reinforce the idea of reaching out for help. Encourage them to remember the trusted adults and friends mentioned earlier.

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Warm Up

Warm Up: Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down!

Objective: To quickly activate students' understanding of safe vs. unsafe actions with their peers.

Instructions:

  1. Listen to the scenarios I read aloud.
  2. If the action described is SAFE when interacting with a friend, give a THUMBS UP!
  3. If the action described is UNSAFE when interacting with a friend, give a THUMBS DOWN!
  4. Be ready to explain your choice if I call on you.

Scenarios:

  • A friend asks if they can play with your toy, and you say yes.


  • Someone pushes you on the playground because they want your turn on the swing.


  • A classmate offers to share their crayons with you during art time.


  • A new student tries to hold your hand without asking you first.


  • You accidentally bump into a friend, and both of you say "excuse me."


  • A friend keeps teasing you even after you asked them to stop.


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Activity

Activity: Safe or Unsafe Peer Scenario Cards

Objective: Students will actively identify safe and unsafe interactions with other students in school by moving to designated areas.

Instructions for Students:

  1. Listen carefully as your teacher reads each scenario.
  2. If you think the scenario describes a SAFE interaction with a friend, move to the side of the room marked "SAFE".
  3. If you think the scenario describes an UNSAFE interaction with a friend, move to the side of the room marked "UNSAFE".
  4. Be ready to explain your choice!

Scenario Cards (Cut these out to use as individual cards)

Card 1: Your friend asks if they can sit next to you at lunch, and you say "Sure!".


Card 2: A classmate tries to grab a toy out of your hand that you are playing with.


Card 3: During a game, a friend accidentally bumps into you and quickly says "Sorry!".


Card 4: A new student smiles at you and waves hello in the hallway.


Card 5: A friend keeps calling you a name you don't like, even after you've asked them to stop.


Card 6: You see a friend looking sad, and you ask them if they want to talk or play.


Card 7: A classmate tries to whisper a secret in your ear that makes you feel uncomfortable.


Card 8: Your friend offers to share their snacks with you during snack time.


Card 9: Someone in your class keeps poking you during carpet time even after you move away.


Card 10: A friend asks if they can borrow your pencil, and you happily lend it to them.

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Discussion

Discussion: Why Boundaries Matter

Objective: To deepen students' understanding of boundaries, reinforce the concept of trusted friends and adults, and encourage open communication about peer interactions.

Instructions for Teacher: Lead a class discussion using the prompts below. Encourage students to share their thoughts and provide reasoning for their answers.

Discussion Prompts:

  1. Reviewing the Activity:

    • Which scenarios from our activity felt a little tricky to decide if they were safe or unsafe when interacting with friends? Why?


    • Can someone explain why scenario # (e.g., Card 2 about grabbing a toy) was definitely unsafe?


    • What made scenario # (e.g., Card 4 about waving hello) safe?


  2. Understanding Your Feelings:

    • How does your body feel when an interaction with a friend doesn't feel right or safe? (e.g., tummy ache, heart racing)


    • Why is it important to listen to that feeling when you are with your friends?


  3. Asking for Help:

    • What should you do if you are ever unsure about how a friend is interacting with you, or if you feel uncomfortable?


    • Who are the trusted friends or adults you can talk to at school if something feels uncomfortable or unsafe with a peer? (Remind them of the adults and friends in our Safety Circle!)


  4. Being a Safe Friend:

    • What are some ways we can all be safe and respectful friends to each other in our classroom and on the playground?


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Cool Down

Cool Down: My Safe Space

Objective: Students will reflect on their learning about safe boundaries and trusted friends/adults at school.

Instructions for Students:

  1. Think about what we learned today about safe interactions with friends at school.
  2. On this slip, you can either:
    • Draw a picture of something that makes you feel safe with your friends at school, or a safe interaction with a classmate.
    • Write one thing you learned today about safe boundaries with friends or one way you can show safe interactions with classmates.
  3. Turn in your slip as you leave class today.

My Reflection:













I learned that... (or I can show safe interactions with my friends by...)













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Worksheet

Boundary Brainstorm Worksheet

Name: _________________________ Date: _________________________

Objective: To help you think about and understand safe interactions with other students at school.

Part 1: My Safety Circle

Draw or write the names of three trusted friends or adults at school you can always talk to if something feels unsafe with a friend.



















Part 2: Safe Interactions with Friends

Write or draw two ways you can show safe and kind interactions with your classmates at school.

  1. A Safe Touch: (Example: A high-five if they want one, waving hello, sharing space politely)











  2. Safe Talking: (Example: Asking to play, using kind words, listening to their feelings, asking for help if needed)











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