Lesson Planning Practice: WHS measures by Citizens of Hope

Example: Poor Lighting

CitizensTESOL — 2020-11-20 20:38:50 UTC

My classes happen at night and my 'Animals' lesson has a role play with a lot of movement, therefore I will need to make sure that all of the chairs are pushed in and that there is sufficient lighting for my students to see while they are moving around the classroom.

Here is my note for the "WHS" box in my lesson plan:

"Make sure all of the lights are on so that students won't trip and fall during the role play."

Wild Critters

cortniebrooks — 2020-11-20 20:53:43 UTC

A few years ago in Cambodia, some of our classrooms were located outside and we had a consistent problem with wild critters crawling through our classroom. On one occasion, I remember a giant flying grasshopper landing on one of the students, and another time a poisonous centipede was crawling around near the students' feet and backpacks. Both of these times, the critters had to be carefully removed from classroom. Luckily for me, one of the other teachers was very good at trapping these dangerous animals and she even placed the centipede inside a plastic water bottle so that I could show my kids later what I found in my classroom!

Here is a note that I would write in the "WHS" box of my lesson plan to address this issue in my outdoor classroom:

"Have a plastic container on hand for catching any wild and poisonous critters running through my outdoor classroom."

Here is the link to watch the video of one of our classroom critters... So gross! Hahaha! https://www.instagram.com/p/9ManIzzOdy/

Tripping hazards

tomwrowland — 2020-12-03 21:18:32 UTC

I have my students get up and move a lot so really the only hazard I can think of is to eliminate tripping hazards.
My note would be: Identify and eliminate tripping hazards such as chords and rugs.

Close the Windows

lindsaymlaidlaw — 2020-12-11 22:28:39 UTC

I was teaching in Cambodia last year and it wasn't rare that it would suddenly start down pouring. Water would come streaming through the windows making the floor slippery. My WHS measure is to close the windows in the rainy season.

Distracting noise

awisse25 — 2020-12-25 09:29:18 UTC

In Cambodia, and in Phnom Penh in particulair, the chance a wedding/funeral or other event is held in the midst of a neighbourhood is present. During those occasions, loud music is played which can be very distracting and can cause stress, poor concentration, and a lost of productivity.

COVID

graemephenderson — 2021-01-06 22:42:36 UTC

With the dice activity there could be some change of younger students picking up or playing with the dice. To ensure this, we need to wipe down tables and dice beforehand, ensure they sanitize when they enter the classroom, make sure everyone is spaced 2m+ apart, and ensure the maximum occupancy of the building/room are not met.

Power Outages

elizandrah — 2021-02-17 08:37:07 UTC

It is very common to have power outages in Cambodia, especially during hot season. Luckily in most of our bases we have generators, that could hold the power of the base for the lights and also the fans, that are more than required for the students to pay attention in class - temperatures here can go up to 40C. As a teacher I just need to make sure I have someone in charge (normally other base staff) to turn on the generator so we can continue with the the class.

Covid and Allergies

johannakennedy — 2021-04-18 02:38:33 UTC

In my potential classroom, I'm thinking of the current requirements that need to be considered for Covid, as well the ending of our lesson-cookies!

It would be important for each student to have a mask and sit socially distant in compliance with the facility we are using. With this, the students will each need their own copy of the menu and game we will be playing.

Also, we will need to clear an area for us to play "Toss the Ball" with a soft ball.

Lastly, we are ending our lesson of visiting a restaurant discussing our favorite desserts. I'd like to send the Ss home with a cookie. They will need to be allergy free and individually wrapped for each student.

Move to a corner of the room

rclavagnier — 2021-07-13 00:53:17 UTC

With my lesson, we will be doing a scavenger hunt as a class. Potential hazards could be tripping over desks or chairs, so I would need to make sure that they are cleared to a corner of the room or the scavenger hunt is only in one section of the classroom.

As well with Covid right now, and my activity having everyone up and walking around I would require that masks be worn during this activity.

Clearing wires and cords

PetrovaFossil — 2021-08-14 22:43:58 UTC

Since a number of my activities involve movement, with a potential for tripping, I would to check the room for safety, including making sure the area is clear of wires, which could present a tripping hazard. I'll place a note on the board requesting students not to place anything on the floor during the lesson. I am also going to ask them to put all hot or cold beverages in a corner of the room, where they will not spill on someone or make the floor wet, in order to prevent tripping, due to a slick floor, or burns. I will continue to do floor checks prior to the activities that involve movement.

Food Allergies

jkajperson — 2021-08-16 22:48:56 UTC

Since my lesson involves opening containers of food I should check with each student on whether they have food allergies before this lesson and if yes find out which foods cause an allergic reaction. I would not bring any foods that could cause any of my students to have an allergic reaction. There should also be a plan in place to handle a reaction that is unknown to the student. I need to be aware of the procedure for transporting students for medical care or is there a nurse on staff or an epi-pen available. It is important to have training to use an epi-pen correctly. This training is available in most schools.

Lighting

zulywmusic — 2021-09-28 12:23:36 UTC

- The Activities: Since I have an activity where the Students have to get in two teams, it is important to make sure there is enough space to walk around in the classroom.

- The Classroom: Make sure the lights are turn on. It is important to have good and enough light to see better and to not fall asleep.

- The Environment: Since I will teach during the winter season, it is important that the classroom is warm, but not hot, and to get fresh air in the room. Therefore airing out the classroom and make sure it is afterwards warm enough for the students is important.

Obeying Health Guidelines

emhunderman — 2021-12-02 21:10:17 UTC

The local English teaching organization that I help out at requires that students and teachers both wear masks in order to adhere to the guidelines and requirements implemented by the city. In order to protect the students and teachers from spreading sicknesses or germs to each other, teachers bring in extra masks and hand sanitizer and we offer masks that students can take home and use when they go about the rest of their day.

Cold Weather

ChristieAwesome — 2021-12-05 09:19:46 UTC

If teaching this lesson in a cold climate zone in December I would want to ensure that students were made aware the day/week before to come prepared to be outside for a portion of the class as students embarked upon their “Digital Scavenger Hunt” activity. Remind students to stay in their pairs and to obey traffic signals and road safety if they are crossing streets on the hunt to complete this activity.
Finally, a side-note, this activity is only well suited for learners who are old enough to be independent/minimally supervised for that segment of the class (this would need to be determined beforehand). If the teacher determined that the class is not suitable for this activity then a new activity could be substituted.

Social/Emotional Care

gracenicole725 — 2022-01-19 02:40:36 UTC

One potential risk: When learning new sounds and pronunciation it’s easy to get on edge if you’re struggling or feel embarrassed so this risk is more of a social/emotional risk. As the teacher I plan to keep watch for nerves and those that are more emotionally heightened and offer encouragement, a break, watch for potential teasing and set a clear standard for that beforehand.

Note in WHS: Watch for nerves leading to frustration during pronunciation. Address the difficulties beforehand and need for patience and endurance.

Falling and tripping

jaelclaybaugh — 2022-03-01 18:19:04 UTC

Potential Risk: One of my activities requires the students to get up and move around, so in order to keep any students from falling and tripping over, I will need to ensure that there is an open area in the classroom.

WHS Note: Before class starts, arrange desks and chairs to create an open space in the middle of the classroom.

Using hand sanitizer

angelashieldsrose — 2022-03-17 01:22:55 UTC

Potential risk: In a group activity where students may be sharing the same resources or passing items to each other, have hand sanitizer readily available to reduce the spread of airborne pathogens.

WHS note: Remind students to use the hand sanitizer and show them where it is located.

Ss running into each other

marliemichal — 2022-04-25 17:59:29 UTC

My lesson involves a few activities for the students to get up and move around the classroom. A few potential risks could be chairs and tables being in the way, the room being to dark to see things in front of them, and the students not completely understanding the directions for the activities causing people to run into each other.

WHS Note:
Make sure the students show reflection of understanding directions for moving, so the students do not bump into each other and cause injuries.

Squirrels! (Here is something to make you laugh...)

CitizensTESOL — 2022-10-19 13:10:28 UTC

What if my classes are online using Zoom? We know it can be extra challenging to think of safety measures for lessons that we're teaching online…what could possibly be dangerous about sitting alone at my computer!?

Well, a man in Pittsburgh recently faced an unexpected danger during one of his Zoom meetings. Watch this video and then go close all of the windows and doors in your room. 🤣 Hahaha…

https://youtu.be/C1ZKCk_Bm7k

My WHS note on my lesson plan to help avoid this: Make sure to close all doors and windows to keep dangerous animals and critters outside, and to create a safe space for my students to learn. Optional: Also, try to drink less coffee. 😅

Room Temperature

katrinas7 — 2022-10-31 21:06:56 UTC

Potential Risk: In Hawaii where I teach, most classrooms do not have AC. To avoid what's happening in this picture, my WHS note is to make sure windows are open and fans are on. During activities, fans can become a road block, and can also be noisy. To ensure fans don't become a distraction, make sure they are placed in corners of the classroom in the back and front of the room. When playing a game that involves moving desks; make sure the fans are also moved if they're in the way. The fans will help to keep the room from getting too warm causing students to become tired and unable to focus.

Caribbean Classes...

SGorrill — 2023-01-09 17:33:47 UTC

Potential Risks: Being that I currently live and teach in the Dominican Republic, there are some risks that are unique to this type of location. Throughout most of the year, the DR is a very hot and humid place. There is constantly the risk of dehydration, even in the cooler months.

WHS: Students should be reminded not only to bring a bottle of water but to drink from it regularly. Dehydration can happen quickly without the person even knowing. It is important to keep well hydrated while here in this hot and humid climate.

Allergies, CPR, Hurricane winds? No problem.

jessicaisliving — 2023-01-27 12:13:20 UTC

My lesson involves food. I also love having snacks out for students. Making sure I know my students dietary needs and allergies will be a must. I'm also a person that likes to be prepared for any situation as much as I can so I'd like to be certified in CPR. You never know when it will be needed.

Iceland is crazy weather all year long, so as long as the heat is working, the windows are slightly cracked to get some air, and we have fresh water; we can survive any storm. I'd probably have to bring some salt though to clear the path to the classroom. Iceland doesn't always salt ice on foot paths... it's dangerous over here.

Environmental awareness

maditdavis01 — 2023-04-20 23:23:41 UTC

A potential WHS issue I would be aware of in my class is objects like computer cords, visuals like toys or anything that could possibly trip a student while they are moving around for an activity. In previous classrooms i have been in, computer cords have been a real menace.

I would make sure to keep my computer cords away from places where students will be moving, but if that would not be possible for me to do at that time, I would make an announcement that students should be aware of the cords or anything else on the ground.

Ball Toss

loraw4lker — 2023-06-25 00:15:13 UTC

Very basic! ......but important. My lesson includes a ball toss and having the wrong type of ball could be a disaster.
WHS note: ensure that the ball used for ball toss is the appropriate size and softness to minimize possibility of injuries.

Upset the fruit basket (Kirsten Duke)

2024-01-05 02:33:49 UTC

Especially when playing with teenagers, this game may get competitive. For some classrooms, this might not even be a viable option because of students who are too invested in getting to the chair first or because of limited space.

My safety note would probably be "Make sure there is sufficient space in the circle of chairs so that students can move around freely."

WHS Notes

kjgunther22_ — 2024-02-08 21:37:41 UTC

One of my activities is Yellow Car (Upset the Fruit Basket), this game can get pretty wild if the students are competitive. I'm assuming that the students will have tables or desks in the classroom, so my WHS note would be "Move tables to create open space for students so that they don’t trip and fall."

Also at the end of my lesson I will be providing snack, water and optional tea so my WHS note for that would be "Check students for potential allergies and make sure hot tea kettle is out of reach during activities to avoid injury."

WHS notes

maria_hopper — 2024-05-31 04:57:44 UTC

I will be teaching the in Dominican Republic where it is consistently very hot!

My note was to open the window when I am teaching and provide water in the classroom for students! This prevents dehydration and cools students off!

~WHS Notes~

aizeleayrs — 2025-10-08 14:38:43 UTC

A resource used during one of my activities's is scissors. A lot of us heard growing up "don't run with scissors." But there is also don't accidentally lob off your finger with scissors or knick your peers arm when cutting paper. Or carelessly gesture with the tool.

One of my WHS measures is to explain proper use and care for scissors so that the learners/students don't harm themselves or others when using them. I will be specific about when and with what scissors can be used and that after use they should be returned to a safe place to avoid accidents.