Calling for Help: Understanding 911

Social Studies Grades 1st Grade 1:31 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn about when and how to call 911 in emergencies with The Kiboomers! This lesson teaches young children about emergency services and feeling safe in their community.

Video Resource

Call 911 for Emergencies - The Kiboomers Preschool Songs & Nursery Rhymes for Emergency Services

The Kiboomers - Kids Music Channel

Duration: 1:31
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Emergency
  • 911
  • Police
  • Fire Department
  • Ambulance
  • Community Safety

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify 911 as the number to call in an emergency.
  • Students will be able to name at least three emergency services: police, fire, and ambulance.
  • Students will be able to describe a situation when calling 911 is necessary.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students if they know what 911 is. Discuss times when they might need help from grown-ups. Explain that 911 is a special number to call when they need immediate help in an emergency.
  • Video Time (3 mins)
    Play the 'Call 911 for Emergencies' video by The Kiboomers. Encourage students to sing along and pay attention to the lyrics.
  • Discussion (7 mins)
    After the video, discuss the different types of emergencies mentioned or implied in the song (fire, needing the police, needing an ambulance). Ask students to brainstorm other situations that might require calling 911. Emphasize that 911 is for REAL emergencies.
  • Role-Playing (10 mins)
    Divide the class into small groups. Provide each group with a scenario card describing a situation (e.g., 'You see smoke coming from your neighbor's house,' 'Someone falls and can't get up,' 'You see a stranger trying to open your door'). Have each group decide if calling 911 is necessary in their scenario and explain why. One student can practice dialing 911 (using a pretend phone) and explaining the situation clearly.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the main points: 911 is for emergencies, and the police, fire department, and ambulance are there to help. Emphasize that children should always ask a trusted adult to call 911 if possible, but if they are the only ones who can call, they should do it.

Interactive Exercises

  • Emergency/Not an Emergency Sort
    Create a chart with two columns: 'Emergency' and 'Not an Emergency.' Read out different scenarios (e.g., 'Your toy is broken,' 'You see a fire,' 'You are lost'). Have students decide which column each scenario belongs in.

Discussion Questions

  • What is an emergency?
  • Why is it important to know how to call for help?
  • Who can help us in an emergency?

Skills Developed

  • Critical Thinking
  • Problem-Solving
  • Communication
  • Community Awareness

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What number do you call when you need help right away?

Correct Answer: 9-1-1

Question 2:

Which of these is NOT a reason to call 9-1-1?

Correct Answer: You lost your toy

Question 3:

Who helps people who are sick or hurt?

Correct Answer: The ambulance

Question 4:

Who puts out fires?

Correct Answer: Firefighters

Question 5:

Who catches bad guys and keeps people safe?

Correct Answer: Police

Question 6:

What should you do first if there is a fire in your house?

Correct Answer: Get out of the house

Question 7:

If you see someone fall and get hurt really bad, who should you call?

Correct Answer: 9-1-1

Question 8:

Why is it important to know about 9-1-1?

Correct Answer: To help people in danger

Question 9:

Which helper drives a truck with a siren?

Correct Answer: A Firefighter

Question 10:

When you call 9-1-1, you should speak...

Correct Answer: Loudly and Clearly

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

If you need help very fast, you can call _______.

Correct Answer: 9-1-1

Question 2:

The ________ help people who are hurt.

Correct Answer: ambulance

Question 3:

If there is a fire, you should call the ________.

Correct Answer: firefighters

Question 4:

The _________ keep people safe from bad guys.

Correct Answer: police

Question 5:

It is important to know what an _______ is so you know when to call 9-1-1.

Correct Answer: emergency

Question 6:

Always ask a trusted _______ to call 9-1-1 if they are with you.

Correct Answer: adult

Question 7:

The 9-1-1 helpers are part of our _______.

Correct Answer: community

Question 8:

The 9-1-1 number is easy to _______.

Correct Answer: remember

Question 9:

Police officers, firefighters and ambulance drivers work together to keep us _______.

Correct Answer: safe

Question 10:

After calling 9-1-1, you should _______ for help to arrive.

Correct Answer: wait

Educational Standards

SOC.1.1.1:analyze their role as a citizen in a community. SOC.1.1.1.2:Describe how citizens within communities work together to accomplish common tasks and fulfill roles of authority.

Teaching Materials

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