Smart Choices, Safe School

Nicole Kearney

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Smart Choices, Safe School

Better decision making

This 8-week lesson plan aims to teach 4th-grade students and their parents about making better decisions, specifically focusing on the importance of not bringing weapons or unsafe items to school. Each week focuses on different aspects of decision-making and safety, using a combination of game-based, project-based, and experiential learning strategies. This comprehensive program is crucial in fostering a safe school environment and empowering students to think critically about their actions.

Audience

4th grade students and parents

Time

8 weeks

Approach

Game-Based Learning, Project-Based Learning

Materials

Discussion Questions, Decision-Making Worksheet, Role-Playing Activity Cards, Reflection Journal, Art Supplies (paper, markers, crayons), Pens and Paper, Parent Handout, Interactive Game Board, Safety Pledge Template, Video: Ethics For Kids: Right And Wrong, and Video: Circle Of Control Activity For Kids

Step 1

Week 1: Introduction to Safe Choices

1 week

Objective: Understand the importance of making safe choices.
Activities: Watch Circle Of Control Activity For Kids and discuss how focusing on what we can control helps in making safe decisions.
Discussion: How can understanding what we can control influence our decision-making?

Step 2

Week 2: Understanding Consequences

1 week

Objective: Explore the consequences of unsafe choices.
Activities: Watch Ethics For Kids: Right And Wrong and discuss the themes presented.
Discussion: How do the characters' choices affect their outcomes?

Step 3

Week 3: Role-Playing Scenarios

1 week

Objective: Practice decision-making through role-playing.
Activities: Role-Playing Activity with expanded scenarios.

Step 4

Week 4: Creative Expression

1 week

Objective: Express understanding of safe choices through art.
Activities: Creative Art Project and Safety Pledge creation.

Step 5

Week 5: Peer Learning

1 week

Objective: Learn from peers' experiences and perspectives.
Activities: Peer Interview and Storytelling Session.
New Activity: Collaborative Storybook Project - In small groups, students create a storybook about making safe choices, illustrating and writing a story that highlights the importance of decision-making.
- Prompts for Writing:
  - Describe a character who faces a difficult decision at school. What choices do they have, and what do they decide?
  - Write about a time when a character made a safe choice and how it positively impacted their friends or school.
  - Imagine a world where everyone makes safe choices. What does it look like, and how do people interact?
  - Create a story where a character learns the importance of asking for help when unsure about a decision.

Step 6

Week 6: Conflict Resolution

1 week

Objective: Develop skills to resolve conflicts peacefully.
Activities:
- Conflict Role-Playing: Students practice resolving conflicts through role-playing scenarios that involve common school conflicts.
- Communication Skills Workshop: Teach students active listening and "I" statements to express their feelings and needs.
- Empathy Exercise: Engage students in activities that help them understand different perspectives and the importance of empathy in conflict resolution.
- Active Listening Exercise: Pair students and have them practice active listening by repeating back what their partner says to ensure understanding.
- Perspective-Taking Activity: Use stories or scenarios to help students see situations from multiple viewpoints and discuss how different perspectives can lead to empathy.
- "I" Statement Workshop: Teach students how to express their feelings and needs using "I" statements. Include modeling, guided practice, role-playing, and reflection.

Step 7

Week 7: Interactive Learning

1 week

Objective: Reinforce decision-making skills through games.
Activities: Interactive Game and class discussions.

Step 8

Week 8: Review and Commitment

1 week

Objective: Review key learnings and commit to safe choices.
Activities: Recap, Safety Pledge signing, and Celebration.

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Discussion

Discussion Questions

A set of questions to guide a discussion on decision-making and safety at school.

Why is it important to make safe choices at school?

Discuss the impact of decisions on personal safety and the school environment.

What are some consequences of bringing a weapon or unsafe item to school?

Explore legal, social, and personal consequences.

How can we encourage others to make safe choices?

Discuss strategies for promoting a safe school culture.

Worksheet

Decision-Making Worksheet

A worksheet to help students reflect on their decision-making process and the consequences of their actions.

List three safe choices you can make at school.

Think about actions that keep you and others safe.

What should you do if you see someone with a weapon or unsafe item at school?

Consider who you should tell and how to stay safe.

Why is it important to think before you act?

Reflect on the consequences of impulsive decisions.

Worksheet

Reflection Journal

A journal for students to reflect on their learning and how they can apply safe decision-making in their lives.

What is one important thing you learned today about making safe choices?

How can you apply what you learned today to your daily life?

Why is it important to share what you learned with others?

Worksheet

Role-Playing Activity Cards

Cards with scenarios for students to role-play decision-making situations at school.

You see a classmate with a weapon or unsafe item in their backpack. What do you do?

A friend dares you to bring a weapon or unsafe item to school. How do you respond?

You feel like you're being bullied by a group of students. What steps can you take?

You overhear someone planning to bring a weapon or unsafe item to school. What should you do?

A student offers you a weapon or unsafe item for protection. How do you handle the situation?

You notice a student being excluded from a group activity. How can you help?

A classmate tells you they feel unsafe at school. What actions can you take?

You find a note threatening violence in the school bathroom. What should you do?

A friend wants to skip class to avoid a bully. How do you advise them?

You see someone vandalizing school property. What is the best course of action?

Reading

Parent Handout

A handout for parents to understand the lesson objectives and how they can support their children in making safe decisions.

Smart Choices, Safe School: Parent Handout

Objective:

To help students make better decisions, focusing on the importance of not bringing weapons or unsafe items to school.

Overview:

This lesson engages students and parents in activities that highlight the consequences of poor decision-making and the benefits of making safe choices.

How You Can Help at Home:

Discuss the importance of making safe choices with your child.
Encourage open communication about any concerns they may have at school.
Reinforce the strategies learned in the lesson by role-playing different scenarios at home.
Praise your child for making safe and responsible decisions.

Thank you for your support in fostering a safe school environment!

Reading

Safety Pledge Template

A template for students to pledge their commitment to making safe choices at school.

Safety Pledge

I, [Student's Name], pledge to make safe and responsible choices at school. I understand the importance of keeping myself and others safe by:

Not bringing weapons or unsafe items to school.
Reporting any unsafe situations to a trusted adult.
Encouraging my peers to make safe choices.
Respecting the rules and guidelines set by my school.

I commit to being a positive role model and contributing to a safe and supportive school environment.

Signature: ______________________
Date: ______________________