Staying Safe Together

Curriculum Area

English Language Arts (ELA) – Kindergarten
Aligned with California Common Core Standards for ELA

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.2: Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose informative texts.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.5.C: Identify real-life connections between words and their use.

Lesson Objective

By the end of this 15-minute lesson, students will:

• Discuss ways to stay safe inside and outside of school.
• Learn about the importance of community responsibility, inspired by Indigenous teachings.
• Create a personal "Promise to Stay Safe" by drawing and writing a simple sentence.

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Materials Needed

• Large chart paper or whiteboard
• Markers in various colours
• 10 pieces of paper (one per student)
• Crayons or coloured pencils
• A poster board (for compiling student work)

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (3 minutes) – Talking Circle

• Gather students in a circle (on the rug or chairs).
• Explain: "Today, we will talk about ways to stay safe at school and in our community. We will each make a promise to stay safe!"
• Tie in Indigenous perspectives: "Many Indigenous communities use Talking Circles to share ideas and listen to each other. When someone is speaking, we listen carefully."
• Ask: "What can we do to stay safe in school? What about outside of school?" (Guide students towards answers like "being careful on the playground," "holding an adult's hand when walking," "being kind to others to create a safe space.")

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2. Shared Writing and Discussion (4 minutes) – Class Safety Promises

• On chart paper, write a few safety promises together. Example:

  • "I promise to walk safely inside school."
  • "I promise to listen to my teacher."
  • "I promise to stay with my buddy outside."

• Say: "Now, you will make your own safety promise!"

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3. Student Creation Time (6 minutes) – Promise Poster

• Give each student a blank sheet of paper.
• Ask them to write one sentence (with support) starting with: "I promise to..."
• Encourage them to draw a picture of their promise.
• Walk around, assisting with writing and adding labels to their drawings if needed.

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4. Reflection & Class Poster (2 minutes)

• Each student shares their promise with the group.
• Display all promises together on the class poster.
• Say: "We all have an important role in keeping our school and community safe, just like how Indigenous communities work together to keep each other safe."

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Assessment

✅ Observational – Did each student contribute an idea in the discussion?
✅ Written work – Did each student write or dictate a promise?
✅ Illustration – Does their drawing reflect their promise?

Extension (Optional)

• Read a short story about safety, like “Proud to Be Safe” or an Indigenous story about community care.
• Role-play safety scenarios (e.g., “What should you do if you feel lost?”).

Notes for Teachers

⭐ This lesson integrates Indigenous perspectives through the Talking Circle approach and the value of community responsibility.
⭐ It supports fine motor skills (writing/drawing) and verbal communication (sharing aloud).
⭐ You can modify the writing component by having students dictate their promise if they have emerging writing skills.

This lesson empowers students to take an active role in their own safety while fostering an inclusive classroom environment! 🚀