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

• Learn traffic safety rules for walking.
• Know how to cross a street safely.
• Identify dangers inside our homes.
• Understand what to do about strangers.
• Learn emergency numbers and how to solve problems.

Lesson summary

This week’s lesson focuses on becoming a 'Safety Superhero' in our everyday lives. We will explore essential safety rules and simple problem-solving skills that help us stay safe at home, on the road, and in our community. In South Africa, children often walk to school, play outside, and are sometimes left with older siblings. Understanding these safety rules is not just a lesson; it is a vital life skill. We will learn how to identify potential dangers, like busy roads or harmful substances at home, and what steps to take to avoid getting hurt. This knowledge empowers learners to make smart choices, build confidence, and know when and how to ask for help from a trusted adult.

Lesson notes

A. Traffic Safety: Being a Safe Walker Our roads can be very busy with cars, taxis, buses, and bakkies. As walkers (pedestrians), we have special rules to follow to keep us safe.

Rule 1: Use the Pavement (Sidewalk). Always walk on the pavement. If there is no pavement, walk on the very edge of the road, facing the oncoming traffic. This way, you can see the cars coming towards you, and the drivers can see you.

Rule 2: Find a Safe Place to Cross.

The safest places to cross a road are: Zebra Crossing: These are the black and white stripes painted on the road. Cars must stop for you when you are crossing here. But you must still check if they are stopping before you step into the road!

Traffic Light (Robot): Cross only when the little green person symbol is showing. The red person means 'STOP'.

Scholar Patrol: Listen to the learners in the bright sashes. They are there to help you cross safely near the school.

Rule 3: The Golden Rule of Crossing - Stop, Look, Listen, and Think! STOP at the edge of the road. LOOK to your right, then to your left, and then to your right again. Keep looking as you cross. LISTEN for any cars you might not see. THINK if it is safe to cross. If it is, walk quickly but do not run.

Example: Sipho wants to cross the road to get to the spaza shop. The road is busy with taxis. He sees a zebra crossing a little bit down the road. What should he do? Sipho should not cross right where he is. He should walk to the zebra crossing. Before he crosses, he must STOP, LOOK right, left, and right again, and LISTEN. Even though cars should stop, he must wait until they have fully stopped before he walks across.

B. Safety at Home: Protecting Ourselves Indoors Our homes are our safe places, but they can also have hidden dangers.

Poisons and Dangerous Chemicals: Many cleaning products (like Jik or Handy Andy) and medicines are poisons if we drink them. They can make us very, very sick.

Rule: Never touch, taste, or smell something from a bottle if you don't know what it is. If you see medicines or cleaning supplies, leave them alone. If you see your little brother or sister with them, don't try to take it away yourself. Immediately tell a grown-up you trust (like your mom, dad, gogo, or an older sibling).

Fire Safety: Fire can be useful for cooking, but it is also very dangerous.

Rule: Matches, lighters, and candles are not toys. Never play with them. Stay away from the hot stove or paraffin stove when a grown-up is cooking.

Problem-Solving: If you see a small fire, don't try to be a hero. Your job is to get out and get help. Shout "FIRE! FIRE!" and get out of the house immediately. Then, tell the nearest grown-up.

Stranger Danger at the Door: Sometimes a stranger might knock on the door when you are home, perhaps with an older sibling.

Rule: Never open the door for someone you do not know, even if they say they know your parents. Your parents would have told you if they were sending someone.

What to do: Do not open the door. You can speak through the closed door and say, "My parents are busy, please come back later." Or, you can just be quiet so they think no one is home. Go and tell an older person in the house immediately. C. Emergency Help & Problem Solving Sometimes, even when we are careful, emergencies happen. It is important to know how to get help.

Emergency Numbers: These are special numbers you call for help. 10111: This is the number for the South African Police Service (SAPS). You call this number if there is a crime, like someone breaking in. 10177: This is for an ambulance if someone is very sick or hurt, or for the fire brigade.

Your Family's Number: It's also very important to know your mom's or dad's cell phone number by heart.

Simple Problem Solving: Stop, Think, Act When you face a scary or unsafe problem, use these three simple steps: STOP: Take a deep breath. Don't rush into doing something.

THINK: What is the problem? What are my safe choices? What is the safest thing to do?

ACT: Do the safest thing. This is often telling a trusted adult.

Example: You are playing at the park and your ball rolls into the busy road.

STOP: Don't run into the road after it!

THINK: The road is busy and dangerous. My ball is just a toy, but my life is precious. Running into the road is not a safe choice.

ACT: The safest action is to ask a grown-up to help you get the ball when it is safe. Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1: Look at the picture below. It shows a street with a school, a traffic light (robot), and a zebra crossing. Nomsa is standing on one side and wants to get to the school on the other side. Circle the safest path for her to take and explain why. (Teacher to draw a simple picture on the board showing a road, school, Nomsa, a robot with a green man symbol, and a zebra crossing further away)

Solution 1: The learner should circle the path that leads Nomsa to the traffic light and across the road there.