SAFETY

Books for use with individual students, small groups, and class lessons about safety.

HOW DO DINOSAURS STAY SAFE? by Jane Yolen

This book series is so great for little ones and many are available on Book Flix. This book covers a variety of safety topics, such as crossing street to encountering a stranger.

Activity: Scholastic has this FREEBIE color sheet.

DON’T SQUEAL UNLESS IT’S A BIG DEAL: A TALE OF TATTLE TALES by Jeanie Ransom

McNeal’s class is full of tattle tales. They tell on each other about everything! “He did this” and “she did that” are heard every day. Finally the teacher has had enough and creates a new class rules “don’t squeal unless it’s a big deal!”

Activity: When I teach this lesson I teach my students the 2D rule. We tell and adult when something is destructive or dangerous. As we read we discuss the situations in the book and if they fit the 2D rule. After, I use a Power Point to give sample scenarios and students hold up and Squeal or No Squeal card to share their answer. You can also use this writing prompt. There is also this FREEBIE activity that matches perfectly. Get a FREEBIE poster to go with your lesson here. Need more, check out this TPT resource.

PLEASE DON’T TEASE TOOTSIE by Margret Chamberlain

BE GENTLE WITH THE DOG, DEAR! by Matthew J. Baek

TAILS ARE NOT FOR PULLING by Elizabeth Verdick

Dog safety is truly important for our students. They may own a dog, visit a friend of family member with a dog, or run across a stray dog. I always include dog safety in my lessons. This book talks about being kind and safe around all kinds of furry friends.

Activity: We discuss dog body language by watching this video.

This is important because dogs use their body to tell us how they are feeling and we know understanding feelings in others/animals in key in developing empathy.

These free posters by Sophie Yin are also great resources. Share with students these posters and videos and ask them how they show when they are scared, anxious, etc. You can read and see more here.

I partner with UTK’s H.A.B.I.T. program to bring in a dog and they do a full dog safety lesson. Many Humane Society Programs do their own safety programs and would be great guest speakers. The “Be a Tree Program” is a great program.

AKC also has this great “Dog Listener” video: