Summer Safety Lesson Plans
As the school year winds down, teachers can use summer safety lesson plans to help their students stay safe while enjoying a break from learning.
Why Teach Summer Safety
Safety issues are something that needs to be addressed and reinforced throughout the year. During the summer months, when children are enjoying a break away from school, they may be more easily distracted than at other times of the year.
When you combine longer summer days with a more relaxed schedule, safety issues can take a back seat. Children may become involved in activities they don't engage in at other times of the year, such as spending time near the water. Taking time to discuss staying safe while having fun will lower the risk of injuries or fatalities during what is supposed to be a fun time.
Some safety issues that teachers may want to address when considering lesson plans geared toward the summer months are:
- Bicycle safety
- Insect and snake bites
- Playground safety strategies
- Poisonous plants
- Seat belt safety (whether going on a short drive or a vacation)
- Staying safe in the sun
- Stranger safety
- Water safety
- Weather safety issues
The subject matter chosen for the lesson plan depends on the age and grade level of the students involved. For maximum effectiveness, discussing safety during the summer should be part of an ongoing series of lessons or discussions about these types of issues.
Examples of Summer Safety Lesson Plans
Going online is a great way to access summer safety lesson plans.
Summer Safety
Learning NC has a series of summer lesson plans for kindergarten students posted on its website. As the students are guided through the activities, they learn about:
- Bike safety
- Park safety (includes insects, snakes and poisonous plants)
- Pool and water safety
Summer Safety Safari
The Summer Safety Safari lesson plan is appropriate for first grade students. The activity starts with the class brainstorming and sharing ideas about summer activities. The discussion is then expanded to include safety hazards for participants. Students then plan and make a summer poster to teach or remind others about safety when participating in activities.
Water Safety Lesson Plan
The city of San Diego has a lesson plan so children can learn about safety while swimming in the ocean. When the lessons have been completed, the participants should understand that safety in the water is something everyone should be concerned about and that everyone can help to save a life by paying attention to their surroundings in the water.
By participating in activities, the individuals learn how to rescue someone who has fallen into the water. Some marine animals can be hazardous, and the children learn a fun way of locomotion called the "Stingray Shuffle" to lower the risk of being stung. A fun quiz has also been provided to help students remember the safety tips they have learned.
National Fire Protection Association
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPO) offers a Risk Watch in its Neighborhood lesson plan. Suitable for preschool and kindergarten students, it encourages children to be on the lookout for risky situations in their neighborhood. By participating in these activities, youngsters will learn about safety risks that are close by and how to tell others staying safe.
The process starts by the children going on a neighborhood walk with their teacher. While they are out, the teacher takes a series of photographs. The photos are used to create a safety bulletin board to remind students about staying safe. The lesson plan also includes instructions for creating a safety book for the class, as well as mini books the students can take home to reinforce what they have learned about summer safety while they are on vacation.
By making learning fun, students are more likely to remember and follow safety guidelines.
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