Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 2

Lesson Video

This page supports the lesson note with a companion video and a short classroom-ready summary.

For class groups and homework, share this lesson page so learners also get the summary, objectives, and full lesson context.

Performance objectives

• Know what a 'stranger' is
• Find a 'safe stranger' when you need help
• Learn the 'No, Go, Yell, Tell' safety rule
• Know what to do if you get lost

Lesson summary

Overview This lesson focuses on a critical aspect of personal safety for young learners: how to identify and react to potentially dangerous situations, specifically involving strangers and getting lost. In South Africa, children often find themselves in busy public spaces like shopping malls, taxi ranks, parks, and community events. It is vital they possess the knowledge and confidence to protect themselves.

Lesson notes

This section provides the core knowledge for learners. It should be taught using pictures, role-playing, and storytelling.

Concept 1: Who is a Stranger? A stranger is anyone that you and your family do not know well. It is important to understand that not all strangers are bad people, but because we don't know them, we need to be extra careful. A stranger can be a man, a woman, young, or old. They might seem very friendly and nice, but we still must follow our safety rules.

Example: You are playing at the park. A friendly lady you have never seen before comes and asks if you want to see the puppies in her car. Even though she seems nice, she is a stranger.

Concept 2: 'Safe Strangers' Sometimes, if you are lost or need help, you have to ask a stranger. This is when it's important to know how to find a 'safe stranger'. These are people who are in a position of trust and can be identified easily. Who are Safe Strangers?

A Police Officer: They wear a uniform and are trained to help people.

A Security Guard: You can find them in malls and big shops. They also wear a uniform.

A Shop Cashier or Worker: They wear a uniform or a name tag and work inside the shop.

A Teacher or Principal: At school, these are trusted adults who are there to keep you safe.

Another Mom with Children: If you are in a park or shop, a mother with her own children is often a safe person to ask for help.

How to use this knowledge: If you are lost in a Pick n Pay, don't just ask any adult. Go inside the store and look for someone working at the till or wearing the store's uniform. They are a safe stranger who can help you.

Concept 3: The Safety Rules - 'No, Go, Yell, Tell' This is a simple, powerful rule to remember if a stranger makes you feel uncomfortable, tries to touch you, or asks you to go with them. NO: Say "NO!" in a loud voice. It's okay to be loud and firm. GO: Run away from the person as fast as you can. Head towards a safe place, like back into the shop, or towards other people.

YELL: Shout as loudly as you can. Yell things like "HELP!" or "THIS IS NOT MY MOM/DAD!" TELL: As soon as you are safe, tell a trusted adult what happened immediately. Tell your parent, a teacher, or a police officer.

Concept 4: What to Do If You Get Lost (A Problem-Solving Plan) Getting lost can be scary, but if you have a plan, you can solve the problem.

Step 1: STOP! The most important thing is to stop where you are. Do not run around looking for your parents, as this might make you more lost.

Step 2: LOOK and LISTE

N. Look around for your parent or caregiver. Listen for them calling your name.

Step 3: FIND a 'Safe Stranger'. If you can't see your family, do not walk off with someone you don't know. Instead, look for a safe stranger (like a cashier or security guard) and go to them.

Step 4: TELL them your details. Tell the safe stranger, "I am lost." Then, clearly tell them your full name and your parent's name. If you know it, tell them your parent's phone number. This is why it is so important to memorise this information. Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1: Scenario Spotting Look at the picture below (teacher to show a picture of a child in a mall). Lindi is at the mall with her grandmother. Her grandmother goes into a shop, and Lindi waits outside. A man she doesn't know offers her a packet of chips and says, "Your granny said I must give you this." What should Lindi do? Solution and

Commentary: Lindi should use the "No, Go, Yell, Tell" rule. NO: She should say "NO!" loudly. GO: She should not take the chips. She should immediately go into the shop where her grandmother is.

YELL: If the man tries to stop her, she should yell for help.

TELL: She must find her grandmother right away and tell her exactly what happened.

Commentary: This example teaches children about tricks strangers might use, like saying a parent sent them. It reinforces the importance of not taking anything from or going anywhere with a stranger, no matter what they say.

Question 2: Who is the Safest Helper? Sipho gets lost at the taxi rank. It is very busy.

He sees three people nearby: a man selling sunglasses, a police officer in uniform, and a teenager listening to music. Who is the safest person for Sipho to ask for help, and why? Solution and

Commentary: The safest person for Sipho to ask for help is the police officer in uniform.

Commentary: The teacher should explain why. The police officer is a trusted, official helper whose job is to keep people safe. The other people might be kind, but we don't know them, so they are not the safest choice. This question helps learners practice identifying 'safe strangers' in a realistic South African context.

Question 3: The Information Game Let's pretend I am a safe stranger (a cashier) and you are a lost child. What is the most important information you can tell me so I can help you find your family?