Third Grade Lessons
Speak Up Be Safe
A comprehensive, developmentally appropriate program designed for first through sixth grade students that focuses on topics such as:
- Child abuse
- Bullying
- Sexual harassment prevention
- Technology safety
Two safety-focused classroom lessons are facilitated at each grade level as indicated. Take-home educational materials are distributed among students to share with parents and caregivers and to encourage relevant discussion. Curriculum covers the major topics that are indicated, along with relevant key terms.
Program Curriculum
- Speak Up Be Safe - Third Grade Lessons
Parents - if you would like to offer feedback on your child's experience with the Speak Up Be Safe curriculum, please do so here.
Speak Up Be Safe - Grade 3 Major Topics and Key Terms:
- All children are special and unique, and it is the job of adults to keep children safe.
- Safety Rule #1: “It’s MY body!” Students learn that they have a right to be safe, and that includes their bodies. They learned that their private body parts are the parts covered by a bathing suit.
- There are four types of child abuse: physical, sexual, emotional, and neglect. Most child abuse happens with people children know – adults or other children.
- There are different kinds of child sexual abuse: touching, showing, and/or talking about private body parts.
- Safety Rule #2: “Ask an adult if I am safe.” – Students are encouraged to use this rule in situations that might put them at risk for injury or abuse. If a child is wondering if a situation is safe, it means they need to get to a safe adult who can help them.
- Some people who abuse children might use force, but most use tricks. Students learn about different tricks abusers might use with children.
- Safety Rule #3: “I have choices.” – The students learn that in situations where they might not be safe, they can think about what choices they have to help them get to a safe place. Your child talked about choices, such as to get away, stay away, and use their words.
- Safety Rule #4: “Tell someone.” – The students learn it is important to tell a safe adult when someone is not following the safety rules. Your child learned that bad secrets, or secrets about abuse or not following the safety rules, are secrets that SHOULD be told.
- Students learn that safe adults are people with whom they feel safe. Students are encouraged to identify safe adults they would tell about abuse or dangerous situations.
- Safety Rule #5: “It’s never my fault.” – The students learn that child abuse is never their fault, even if they are tricked, and it is never too late to tell someone.