Napo’s Best Signs for Safety
Teacher guidance:
This resource is a lesson that can stand alone or be part of a wider project. It links to other subjects, as shown, but its main purpose is to use the engaging Napo films to teach children about what safety signs mean and why we need to notice them.
The first section gives an overview of the activities, objectives and resources required for the lesson. It is followed by links to a detailed three-part lesson plan pdf with an idea for extending the learning, and to a downloadable help sheet which accompanies the lesson.
In this lesson, viewing the Napo video clips will help children learn about different kinds of signs and why they help keep us safe from harm.
Learning Objectives
To raise awareness of a range of warning signs and know why they are important
To evaluate the way signs convey their meaning
To raise awareness of using signs to protect yourself
Groups evaluate each other’s performance and test each other’s knowledge of what each sign shape means
Masks can be used to make a classroom display.
Activity Overview - See lesson plan for further detail
1-2 hours
Watch the Napo film clip provided with this lesson:
(Best Signs Story: Introduction plus Yellow Triangle (Danger Signs ) Danger - suspended load Red Circle (Prohibition Signs) No smoking Blue Circle (Mandatory signs) Hearing protection must be worn Green square (Rescue Signs) Emergency escape sign
Possible activities:
Discuss each scene, what is happening and why. List some reasons as to why people didn’t take notice of signs.
Show a choice of signs from the full set of signs included in the EU Directive (see Helpsheet). Discuss the basic rules of colours and shapes of safety signs.
Draw an example of each sign.
Explain the purpose/usefulness of signs and their different meanings.
In teams take one shape sign -Triangle, Round and Square - that conveys either danger, forbidden or emergency rescue.
Make the signs into masks that can be fixed onto sticks and held up in front of the face.
Think about how the signs may speak or act to make sure they are noticed eg, gentle voice and body language for information, sterner voice and body language for warning, strong loud authoritative voice and body language for danger.
Discuss typical risks we meet in everyday life and how they are linked to signs.
These can be practiced and modelled by the teacher in advance of group work if necessary.
0.5 hours Assessment:
Test the whole class on their knowledge of what signs say and mean and why they are important through group plenary.
Extension work can research other signs, including some simple road signs, and create a sign for the school.
Resources required
Napo film clip (provided)
Plain paper and coloured crayons to draw signs.
Shape templates for some students
Red, yellow, blue and green card and sticks to make masks on sticks
Links to subjects/curriculum
Personal, social and health education
Rules for, and ways of keeping safe, as well as about people who can help them stay safe. To recognise how their behaviour affects other people
Maths
Shape recognition
Science
To recognise warning signs and labels and take notice ot them.
Citizenship/Education for civil life
To recognise hazards, assess consequent risks and risk control
Foreign/native language
Inventing simple sentences when explaining the signals
Detailed Lesson plan
Napo’s Best Signs for Safety
This film provides a basic introduction to health and safety signs and symbols found in the workplace. It provides a useful guide for new employees and a valuable refresher for other workers. Different workplace situations are shown where safety signs are important. This film is suitable for all sectors and all levels of employees but especially for young people in training or work experience. It is designed to inform the audience about safety signs at work, to promote the importance of respecting the signs, and to learn and identify the meaning of the signs through their form and the colour.
Watch the video
