Lesson Materials

Use this time to help students create the journals they’ll be using throughout the course. The journals will help them keep track of the information they learn in class, and will bring them one step closer to becoming a Junior Fire Marshal and earning their fire helmets and/or certificates.

Place trays or baskets labeled “Safe” and “Unsafe” on the table. Hold up pictures of items and call on students to tell you where the item goes. If it is safe, invite the student to place the item in the safe basket. If the item is unsafe, you can place it in the unsafe basket. Review the results, reinforcing that lighters or matches should only be touched by grown-ups.

Give the students the What Should I Do? worksheet and invite them to critically look at the pictures and draw a solution to the problem. Upon completion, review the situations and proper solutions as a class.

Discuss the sounds the smoke alarm makes; you can have younger students practice the sounds. Gather the students in one area and activate the smoke alarm or play the video below. Have students practice meeting in a designated safe place. Complete the Smoke Alarm Checklist together and provide each student with a copy to take home.

Give your students the Get Outside activity sheet, having them use the markers to mark the smoke alarm in red and two exits in green. Remind students that they may use a window as the second exit if two doors are not accessible. Have students discuss how they get outside in case of a fire and learn what it means to stay outside. Remind students they should never go back inside for any reason.

Review the How to Make a Home Fire Escape Plan activity sheet with students. Help them identify two ways out of the room in the sample escape plan. Send the activity home with students; they will create and practice a home fire escape plan with their families.

Have a discussion with students about the importance of having a safe meeting place as part of their home fire escape plan. Ask students what they think they should do once they are outside safely. Use this opportunity to explain what a safe meeting place is and review good examples of meeting places.

Give every student a copy of the Stay Outside activity sheet. Let the students think of a meeting place for their home, having the students work independently. As they complete their plans, open up a class discussion to allow students to share what they’ve learned.