Last week we needed to reset our expectations a bit. Thursday we talked about what “Act Safely” meant, and of course I pulled out one of my old favorite books: Officer Buckle and Gloria. So many of my students hadn’t ever read it before, which was a pleasant surprise, but also made me realize how old the book is, and in turn, how old I am.

But, whatever. It’s a fun book, and I stand by my choice.

On Friday, we wrote our own safety tips to add to a poster we are making.

Today I went to school and glued the safety tips to the poster.

And I think it’s amazing.

Some of my second-graders stuck to the plan – safety tips for school:
No running in the hallways.
Never stand on a chair.
Call when someone needs help.

Some got right to the dramatic point:
Do not fight.
Do not throw sharp stuff at someone’s eye.

Some were very detailed:
Do not share food.
Never put your hands in your mouth and your fingers in your nose.

Some were more big picture:
Listen to stay safe.
Always work together.
Never hit someone’s heart. You can’t do that ever. Never. Ever.

And a few…A few widened their lens to outside of school:
Never cross the road without looking left and right.
Don’t run out in the road when a car is coming.

And of course, “Safety Tip 100,000,”
never jump off a cliff.

I feel safer already.