Safety Activities for Preschoolers and Beyond!

In primary grades, most safety concepts are taught through lessons in good citizenship and knowing the rules that students need to follow to be safe in different environments. We’ve created a fun sorting activity to help you put together those concepts for your students.

The Rules Around Us Sorting Activity has your students consider commonly used rules and determine the location to which they apply. 

To play,

1. Print the cards and sorting mats for School, Home, and Community.
2. Students read a rule from a card, discuss it with their peers, and sort it into the correct category.
3. Students check their answers using the included answer key.

Through this activity, students will show their understanding of which rules they should follow to stay safe at home, at school, and in the community.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your Social Studies lessons. 

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

Some ways to help struggling students with the activity are

• Provide read-aloud accommodations or allow students to partner up to complete the readings.
• Complete the activity as a whole class by reading each card aloud and having students record their answers.
• Complete the activity in a small group, in a one-to-one session, or as a teacher-led station activity.

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

• Challenge fast finishers to extend the activity by writing sentences or a storybook about what happens when rules and laws are not followed.
• Have students make an anchor chart or poster with critical classroom and school rules or laws around the community.

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

This resource is available in both Google Slides and PDF formats. Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose your preferred version of this resource. An answer key is also included with this download. 

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities and resources that cut down on lesson planning time:  

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Rule or Law? SCOOT Activity

Differentiate between rules and laws with a free game of Rule or Law Scoot!

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I Can Follow the Rules at School – Mini-Book

Use this mini-book to review or introduce school and classroom rules to your primary students.

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Fire Safety Rules - Writing Prompt and Craft Activity

Craft and write for Fire Prevention Week with a fire safety writing prompt and craft template.