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Safe Vs. Unsafe Sort

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Lesson Plan

Safe Vs. Unsafe Sort

Students will be able to identify and differentiate between safe and unsafe situations, and understand appropriate responses to each.

Understanding what is safe versus unsafe is a crucial life skill that empowers students to protect themselves and make informed decisions in various situations. This lesson helps build foundational safety awareness.

Audience

Special Education Class

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive sorting activity, guided discussion, and a fun game.

Materials

Whiteboard or Projector, Safe Vs. Unsafe Sort Slide Deck, Index cards or small slips of paper for the activity, Safe Vs. Unsafe Scenario Cards, Safe Vs. Unsafe Game Spinner, and Cool Down Check-In

Prep

Materials Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Introduction (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students to share one thing that makes them feel safe (e.g., “My blanket makes me feel safe”).
    * Introduce the topic using the Safe Vs. Unsafe Sort Slide Deck (Slide 1-2). Explain that today they will learn to tell the difference between safe and unsafe situations.

Step 2

Guided Practice: Scenario Sort (15 minutes)

15 minutes

  • Project Safe Vs. Unsafe Sort Slide Deck (Slide 3) which introduces the concepts of Safe and Unsafe.
    * Distribute Safe Vs. Unsafe Scenario Cards to pairs or small groups of students.
    * Instruct students to read each scenario card and discuss whether it is a safe or unsafe situation. Have them sort the cards into two piles: “Safe” and “Unsafe.”
    * Circulate around the room, providing support and prompting discussion. Ask questions like: “Why do you think this is safe/unsafe?” and “What could you do in this situation?”
    * Bring the class back together and review a few scenarios as a whole group, using Safe Vs. Unsafe Sort Slide Deck (Slides 4-7) for examples and discussion.

Step 3

Interactive Game: Safe or Unsafe Spinner (7 minutes)

7 minutes

  • Introduce the Safe Vs. Unsafe Game Spinner. Explain that you will spin the spinner, and whatever action it lands on, students will say if it's
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Slide Deck

What Makes You Feel Safe?

Share one thing that makes you feel safe!

Greet students and start with a quick check-in. Ask: 'What makes you feel safe?' Allow a few students to share.

Learning About Safe & Unsafe

Today we will learn:
* What 'safe' means
* What 'unsafe' means
* How to tell the difference!

Introduce the day's lesson. Explain that knowing the difference between safe and unsafe helps them stay protected.

Safe vs. Unsafe

Safe:
* When you are protected from harm.
* You feel good, calm, and secure.
* Examples: Playing with a trusted adult, wearing a helmet when biking.

Unsafe:
* When you are in danger or at risk of harm.
* You might feel scared, worried, or uncomfortable.
* Examples: Talking to strangers, running into a busy street.

Define safe and unsafe clearly. Use simple language and relatable examples. Prompt students for their own examples after the definitions.

Scenario Sort Activity

Let's practice!
* Work with your group.
* Read each card.
* Decide: Is it safe or unsafe?
* Sort your cards into two piles.

Introduce the scenario cards activity. Explain they will work in groups to sort them.

Scenario Example 1: Playing at the park with a parent.

Is this safe or unsafe?

Safe!
* Your parent is there to keep you safe.
* They can help if you get hurt or lost.

Review the first example. Ask students why it's safe and what they could do.

Scenario Example 2: Taking candy from a stranger.

Is this safe or unsafe?

Unsafe!
* Strangers are people you don't know well.
* It's important to not take things or go places with strangers.

Review the second example. Ask students why it's unsafe and what they should do.

Scenario Example 3: Walking to school with a friend on the sidewalk.

Is this safe or unsafe?

Safe!
* Walking with a friend provides company and support.
* Staying on the sidewalk keeps you away from traffic.

Review the third example. Ask students why it's safe and what they could do.

Game Time: Safe or Unsafe Spinner!

It's time to play a game!
* I will spin the spinner.
* When it lands, tell me: Is it safe or unsafe?
* Be ready to explain why!

Transition to the game. Explain the rules clearly.

Cool Down: Safety Check-In

What is one new thing you learned about staying safe today?

Prepare students for the cool-down. Ask them to think about what they learned.

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Activity

Safe Vs. Unsafe Scenario Cards

Instructions: Cut out each scenario card. Read each scenario and decide if it describes a SAFE situation or an UNSAFE situation. Sort the cards into two piles: "Safe" and "Unsafe."

Scenario 1

Playing with your dog in your fenced backyard.




Scenario 2

Accepting a ride home from a person you don't know who offers you candy.




Scenario 3

Walking to school with your older sibling on the sidewalk.




Scenario 4

Touching a hot stove after an adult told you not to.




Scenario 5

Asking a trusted adult for help when you are lost in a store.




Scenario 6

Running into the street to get a ball without looking for cars.




Scenario 7

Eating food that you found on the ground outside.




Scenario 8

Wearing a helmet when you ride your bike.




Scenario 9

Playing quietly in your room while your parent is in the next room.




Scenario 10

Someone you know asks you to keep a secret that makes you feel uncomfortable.




Scenario 11

Saying "no" if someone tries to touch you in a way that feels wrong.




Scenario 12

Sharing your name, address, and phone number with someone you met online.




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Game

Safe Vs. Unsafe Spinner Game

Instructions for Teacher:

  1. Project this spinner onto the board or use a digital spinner tool with these prompts.
  2. Spin the spinner. Read the scenario aloud.
  3. Ask students: "Is this SAFE or UNSAFE? Why?"
  4. Encourage discussion and ensure students justify their answers.

Spinner Prompts:

  • Talking to a firefighter at school.

    • Is this SAFE or UNSAFE?
    • Why?



  • Walking home from school alone in the dark.

    • Is this SAFE or UNSAFE?
    • Why?



  • Seeing a dog you don't know and running to pet it.

    • Is this SAFE or UNSAFE?
    • Why?



  • Telling a teacher if another student is bothering you.

    • Is this SAFE or UNSAFE?
    • Why?



  • Playing with matches.

    • Is this SAFE or UNSAFE?
    • Why?



  • Crossing the street at a crosswalk with the 'walk' signal.

    • Is this SAFE or UNSAFE?
    • Why?



  • A friend tells you to jump off a tall swing.

    • Is this SAFE or UNSAFE?
    • Why?



  • Staying with your group on a field trip.

    • Is this SAFE or UNSAFE?
    • Why?



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Cool Down

Cool Down: Safety Check-In

Instructions: Please answer the questions below to reflect on what we learned today.

  1. What is one new thing you learned about staying safe today?






  2. Describe one safe situation you might encounter today or this week.






  3. Describe one unsafe situation and what you would do.






  4. Who is a trusted adult you can talk to if you ever feel unsafe?



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