Red Flag Radar Lesson Plan Red Flag Radar
Lesson Plan • Personal Safety & Awareness
Duration 20 min
Learning Objective
Students will be able to identify at least two "red flag" behaviors that might signal an unsafe person or situation.
Audience
3rd Grade Students (approx. 8–9 years old)
Teacher Preparation (5 min)
Review the Warning Sign Slides to ensure familiarity with the content and flow.
Read through the Spot the Red Flag Story Activity to prepare for reading aloud.
Prepare a whiteboard or chart paper for the anonymous brainstorm.
Ensure projector and computer are set up for the presentation.
Materials Needed
Warning Sign Slides
Spot the Red Flag Story Activity
Whiteboard or Chart Paper
Markers
Instructional Steps
1
Introduction & Anonymous Brainstorm
5 Minutes
"Today, we're going to talk about something really important: recognizing 'tricky people.' These aren't necessarily bad people, but they might try to trick us or make us feel uncomfortable. It's like spotting 'red flags' – warning signs that tell us to be careful."
Ask: "What are some things that might make you feel a little uneasy or worried about a person or situation?"
Facilitate an anonymous brainstorm, writing down student responses on the board. Emphasize that all feelings are valid and important to share. Use the Warning Sign Slides to define "tricky people" and "red flags."
2
Story with Embedded Red Flags
10 Minutes
"Now, I'm going to read you a story. As I read, I want you to listen carefully for any 'red flags' – those warning signs we just talked about. We'll pause a few times to discuss what you notice."
Read the Spot the Red Flag Story Activity aloud. Pause at each designated discussion prompt. Encourage students to identify the specific behavior that constitutes a "red flag."
3
Safety Planning & Wrap-Up
5 Minutes
Lead a discussion using the final story prompts. Connect concepts: Grooming (tricking), Unsafe Secrets (staying quiet), and Intuition (gut feeling).
Key Discussion Points:
What should you do if you spot a red flag? (Stop, Think, Tell)
Identify 3 "Trusted Adults" in your life right now.
Reinforce: Your safety is always the most important thing!
Warning Sign Slides Safety Superpower
Spotting "Tricky People" Red Flags
How warning signs keep us safe
TEACHER NOTES: Welcome students and introduce the topic of staying safe by recognizing warning signs. Frame it positively as gaining a superpower.
What are "Tricky People"?
1
Someone who tries to trick you into doing something.
2
They might try to make you feel uncomfortable or "weird."
It's not about if they are "good" or "bad"—it's about their actions .
What are "Red Flags"?
Warning signs that something might be unsafe .
Like a stop sign or a warning light!
They tell us to be extra careful and pay attention.
Red Flag #1: GROOMING
(Building trust to trick you)
Tries to be your only friend.
Gives you lots of gifts or special attention.
Tries to make you keep secrets from grown-ups.
Makes you feel like you owe them something.
Red Flag #2: Unsafe Secrets
A secret that makes you feel uneasy or scared .
A secret someone tells you NOT to tell your parents or a trusted adult.
Grown-ups who care about you won't ask you to keep secrets that make you feel bad.
Red Flag #3: Your Intuition
"That feeling in your stomach that tells you something isn't right."
Your body's way of telling you to pay attention! Always listen to your gut feeling —it's there to protect you!
What Should You Do?
STOP!
If you see a red flag, stop what you're doing right away.
THINK!
Does this feel right? Am I safe? What is my gut saying?
TELL!
Tell a trusted adult right away (parent, teacher, guardian).
Spot the Red Flag Story Activity Safety Story Activity
The Friendly Neighbor and the Secret Shortcut
A read-aloud story with discussion stops
PART 1
A New Friend
Maya loved her bike. Every day after school, she rode it around her neighborhood. One sunny afternoon, a new neighbor, Mr. Green, waved to her from his porch. He was always smiling.
"Hello, Maya!" he called out. "You're a very good bike rider!"
Maya smiled back. Mr. Green started giving her yummy cookies whenever she rode past his house. He would say, "These are just for you, because you're so special! Don't tell your mom, it's our little secret!"
Discussion Prompt 1
What do you notice about Mr. Green's actions? Does anything make you feel a little uneasy? Why might he ask Maya to keep the cookies a secret from her mom?
PART 2
The Special Treat
One day, Mr. Green stopped Maya as she was about to ride home. "Maya," he said, "I have a special new puppy, and he just loves kids! He's right inside. Would you like to come in and see him? I even have a whole box of your favorite cookies waiting for you, but only if you promise not to tell your parents. It's our special secret time."
Maya felt a funny feeling in her stomach. She really wanted to see the puppy and the cookies, but her mom always told her not to go into anyone's house without asking first.
Discussion Prompt 2
What is the "red flag" in this part of the story? What is the funny feeling Maya has in her stomach telling her? Why is it a red flag that Mr. Green wants her to keep this a secret from her parents?
PART 3
Listening to Her Gut
Even though Maya really wanted to see the puppy and get the cookies, that feeling in her stomach got stronger. She remembered what her teacher said about listening to her "gut feeling."
Maya took a deep breath. "No, thank you, Mr. Green," she said politely. "My mom says I need to go straight home."
She quickly rode away and went straight to her house, where she told her mom all about what Mr. Green had said.
Discussion Prompt 3
What did Maya do that was brave and smart? How did listening to her gut feeling help her? What should Maya's mom do next? What would you do if you were Maya?
The Lesson Learned
Red flags aren't just in stories. They are clues our bodies and minds give us to stay safe. Always tell a trusted adult if someone asks you to keep a "tricky" secret!
