Risk Watch: Make Time for Safety

Match Safety
Grades Pre/K
by Donna Dawson, Wilson, NC
2000 "Teacher of the Year" nominee

Objective

The students will be able to understand the dangers of playing with matches and the safety precautions that they should take if they find matches.

Subject Integration

Art, health, safety, cooperative learning, reading, logic, music

Materials

1 pack of 9 x 12 inch construction paper
a variety of colored markers
crayons
scissors

Procedure

Have a class discussion about the dangers of playing with matches and what they should do if they find or see someone playing with matches.
After the discussion, ask the children questions about what was discussed.
Let the class members raise his/her hands and ask the teacher questions.
Cut the 9 x 12-inch construction paper in half. This will make two books of matches.
Fold up the bottom half to 1 1/2 inches.
Fold the top down, and then tuck the paper into the first fold so it will resemble a book of matches.
Let each child decorate his/her book of matches.
On the inside of the paper, print for them:
___________(the child's name) does not play with matches.
As a little extra reinforcement, have the children color a picture of: "Do Not Play with Matches or a Cigarette Lighter."

Expanding the Lesson

Classroom Activity
Make two large books of matches and tape them on the board. One can be entitled: "The Dangers of Matches" and the other could be called: "Safety with Matches." Ask the children to list the dangers and safety of matches and write them on the correct book of matches. For older students, you could have them memorize each book of matches, say them aloud and give them a prize.

Culinary Experience: The Edible Match

Materials

1 maraschino cherry per child
1/2 of a banana per child
1 pineapple ring per child
1 small paper plate per child
1 toothpick per child

Procedure

Everyone needs to wash his or her hands before starting.
Place the pineapple ring on the plate.
Stand the banana half in the hole of the pineapple ring.
For the match flame, put the cherry on the toothpick and push it into the top of the banana.
Have the children sing the original song that I made while cleaning up (cooperative learning). (sing this song to the tune of "Are You Sleeping"):
Never, never play with matches
If you do, if you do
You might burn a finger
You might burn a finger
Shame on you, shame on you
Then you can change the word "finger" to house, hair, clothes, friends, or whatever you want!

Click Here to Return to the Main Menu.