Gun safety class.

[SEVENPOINT]

I have to present to roughly 80 fifth graders a class on firearm safety. What a firearm is, what to do if one is found, stuff like that. The class has to be at least 45 minutes long, and I have no idea what I'm going to do. Can you guys give me any suggestions? I don't want to sit up there and bore them for the entire 45 minutes. Guys with kids around that age: If you get the chance, ask your kid about this and let me know what he/she says. I'd appreciate it, as I'm going to have to do this Monday. Thanks.

 

[hso]

http://www.nrahq.org/safety/eddie/

 

[Henry Bowman]

Lots of visuals.

Cover 1) how much fun they can be, 2) how useful they can be, and 3) how deadly they can be.

The basic rule, however, has to be Eddie Eagle's: DO NOT TOUCH UNLESS ALLOWED AND GUIDED BY AN ADULT. The EE video is only about 8 minute long, you could play that. But it doesn't show what real guns look like, so other visuals would be good for 11 year olds.

Make sure that they know that there are safe and legal places available to them to enjoy the fun of firearms. Generally defense is an adult responsibility. Untill they are adults, they have to honor their parents' rules (even if they are hoplophobes).

Explain that not every thing that they have heard about guns is true. E.g., they don't just "go off," assault weapons, armor piercing, machine guns, AK47s and Uzis, etc. Clearify the truth about buzz words. Demystify the stigma of the "gun culture." Maybe address it from a historical perspective.

Also, with that many in the group, you need to preempt the "My dad has a..." and "One time my uncle..." It can't be interactive. It has to be a presentation. Moving it along with visuals will help in that regard also.

 

[f4t9r]

Safety, Safety , Safety

 

[MachIVshooter]

I have to present to roughly 80 fifth graders a class on firearm safety.

First, you have the opportunity of a lifetime here. You have the chance to not only engrain the value of a fundamental American right, but to possibly save lives in the future. So use it well.

What a firearm is, what to do if one is found, stuff like that. The class has to be at least 45 minutes long, and I have no idea what I'm going to do. Can you guys give me any suggestions? I don't want to sit up there and bore them for the entire 45 minutes. Guys with kids around that age: If you get the chance, ask your kid about this and let me know what he/she says. I'd appreciate it, as I'm going to have to do this Monday. Thanks.

First of all, props would be great. I don't imagine you'll be allowed to bring in real firearms, so maybe get online and order a couple very real looking airsoft guns. Visual aids are critical with pre-adolescent people (a picture is worth a thousand words).

Gun safety is much simpler for children because there is only one rule:

STOP! DON'T TOUCH. GET AN ADULT.

A 45 minute window will not provide ample time to get into safe firearms handling with any depth. That is for the hunter safety course that you should encourage them to take on their own.

What I would do:

Start out by asking who knows what a gun is and how it works. You may get some very bright students who know a thing or two. Next, explain a cartridge and how it works so that they can differentiate between a cartridge and a bullet (most people cannot). Use a lot of simple analogies, especially to illustrate bullet speed (something like "did you know even the slowest bullet is moving 10 times faster than cars on the freeway?") Explain in the simplest way possible the basic mechanics of a firearm.

Make a point of the fact that a gun by itself is not a dangerous object.

Once you have them understanding what a gun really is, how it works and why it is not something to be feared in and of itself, use graphic pictures to drive home how devastating improper use/carelessness can be. At 11 YOA, kids are ready and most parents are likely willing to allow their children to be exposed to gruesom photographs/videos for this purpose. Once these children see how devastating a gunshot wound can be, they will really think twice about picking up that rifle they find in dad's closet next summer.

Use the last few minutes of the class to give them a quiz on these few basic points (something 8-12 questions long, perhaps). Get some inexpensive medals emblazoned with some sort of shooting sports type image to give to these kids when they pass the quiz (if you lay it out well, most should easily score 100%)

Encourage those who express interest to engage in conversation with their parents about the possibilities of getting into the shooting sports. (My mother was an anti, but she got me into small bore competition at age 12 because I really wanted too)

Also, come up with some adult-level literature for these kids to take home to their folks. Some of the parents will most definitely have bought into the liberal media's mantra and be opposed to letting their children handle guns. But if the kids show interest and you can get through to the parents that the shooting sports are a wholesome and enjoyabloe activity, you may get some of them to come around.

Good luck!

 

[22-rimfire]

I would try to involve the class as much as possible. If they are interested, they should be eager to participate. It would be nice if you could take some firearms to the class, but I doubt that is acceptable anymore. Ask how many hunt, have parents that hunt, or would like to hunt? Shooting sports is for both men and women and there is no place for the macho man thing.

Open with the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution. Importance of private ownership-use the revolutionary war example.
History of Firearms. (This can be gotten from many general reference books.)
Types of firearms: Rifles, shotguns, handguns, Black Powder, and break them down by action type in each catagory and how they function. Include BB guns and pellet guns as well and the fact they are not toys.

Cover Firearm Safety thoroughly-the basic rules. Stress firearms are not toys and all can kill (even the 22 that they may be most interested in).

Use of Firearms: Target practice, competition, hunting, personal protection
Calibers and possible uses of the general calibers breakdown.
What to do if you encounter a firearm at home or at a friend's home
Care of firearms
Accessories-holsters, scopes, etc.
Hunting seasons in your state. Reasons for seasons.
Proper Hunting behavior and safety.
Kinds of hunting-animals, dangerous game etc.
Game animals vs non-game animals.
Collecting?
Age requirements for ownership.
So called assault rifles. What makes a gun an assault rifle (military definition)
military weapons
Questions and Answers
A slide presentation would be effective if you have pictures of firearms.

 

[Michael Courtney]

I teach hunter education and NRA basic pistol. Most 5th graders can grasp the important principles of operation as well as the safety rules. If you combine some explanations of the common positive usage of guns (hunting) with the safety rules, it will make for a much more interesting discussion.

For example, consider the rule about never pointing the muzzle at anything you don't intend to destroy. Elaborate about not using a riflescope to identify an unknown object while hunting, and in being careful when swinging a shotgun on a bird in flight.

Consider the rule about keeping the finger off the trigger until the sights are on the target. Elaborate with the proper sequence: see deer and positively identify, bring rifle to shoulder with finger squarely on frame above trigger, put scope crosshairs on center of chest of deer, bring finger into trigger guard and gently squeeze trigger.

Uses of hunting scenarios can generate a lot of interest and really keep their attention. I've done a der hunting talk for many groups of 4th, 5th, and 6th graders, and believe me, their interest level is very high as is their level of attention.

Michael Courtney

 

[SEVENPOINT]

Thanks for the input guys, keep it coming. I have a friend in LE that said he has some brochures and what-not that he can give to me, and I still have some work to do on the hand outs that I plan on giving to them. Thanks again guys.

 

[Starter52]

I have taught my share of safety classes to kids and agree with most everything posted so far.

One point, please don't say "never point a gun at anything you don't intend to destroy". Destroy? That's a bit too Hollywood, don't you think? Stick with the NRA's "anything you don't intend to shoot."

In 45 minutes you really won't be able to get into anything elaborate, since the kids will have many questions. You're not giving the lecture to all 80 at one time, are you?

Knowing 5th graders, if you allow questions, the 45 minutes will go fast. Are you a professional teacher? If you are then you already know that you never cover new material without a lesson plan. Don't try to "wing" it. Write down what you need to cover.

Keep it simple. Use simple terminology. Don't say anything you are not sure is correct. Be prepared to answer questions about airsoft guns and BB guns and video games and sniper rifles. Good luck. Let us know how it turned out.

 

[SEVENPOINT]

You're not giving the lecture to all 80 at one time, are you?

Yes.

Are you a professional teacher?

No, I'm an 18 year old senior in high school. I have to do a "senior project" and I decided to do it on gun control. This little class is part of the "product" that is required for it. I wish I could have had a younger group of students, because I'd like to let them know as early as I can, provided they can comprehend, about firearms safety. The fifth graders are a little more mature than other students that may not know a thing about firearms and firearms safety. But beggars can't be choosers I guess. I was surprised the staff was so friendly and helpful with getting everything organized for me.

 

[depicts]

Gun class

Not to disparage the writer, but I am thinking to myself, what a shame that class has to be tought by someone who has to ASK what to tell them.

I know myself or almost 200 members of my gun club who would relish the chance to make that presentation, and half of them could fill 45 minutes with good sound advice without taking a breath, nevermind asking what to say.

How does someone find themselves in this position?

Maybe I'm just so used to teaching sons, nephews, grandsons, sisters, grandaughters, friends and others...that it seams like a slam dunk to me.

I hope the class goes well Monday. It can save a persons life.

One of my sisters credits my training to keeping her son from being hurt in a home where a kid wanted to show off a gun. My nephew wasn't all that thrilled by the guns, because he knew I had told him he could shoot mine whenever he wanted, as long as he promised never to touch a gun without my permission or his parents.

I think part of the problem is that kids DON'T get to handle guns, so it makes them seem really cool to play with. Take the WOW factor out of the situation by letting them get familiar with firearms.

My nephew left the other kids house and told his Mom the next door kid was going to show him and his friends some guns (these kids are 11 btw), and he left.

I was so proud of him.

 

[Starter52]

SEVENPOINT, pay no attention to the previous post or its writer.

I think that asking for advice is exactly the right thing. Now that you've giving us more info on yourself and your project, here's more to consider:

1) You may not think of yourself as a "grown-up", but these kids will. Act accordingly.

2) These kids are used to professional teachers. Professional teachers are smooth. You will have trouble meeting that standard. Everyone does.

3) Take questions from one kid, but give answers to the group (don't speak just to the kid with the question.)

4) A few leading questions such as "what are guns used for?" or "how can guns be dangerous?" will generate a forest of eager responses.

5) These kids will know little or nothing about "gun control". They will care even less. At their age everything is controlled by adults. Stress gun safety.
Don't discuss the gun control issue to any length.

6) Finally, don't talk down to the audience, but simplify when you can.
For example, I would say "keep the END OF THE GUN pointed in a safe direction" rather than "keep the MUZZLE pointed in a safe direction".

I'm glad that you've chosen this topic for your senior project. Good luck!

 

[SEVENPOINT]

52- Thanks. I've arranged a few of the above suggestions into my lesson plan.


As far as depicts post, it's no sweat off my back. Apparently he doesn't have anything useful to say, so he brags about himself.

I know what to tell these kids, I have a lesson plan, and I posted here to make sure there wasn't anything I missed. I'm pleased to have this opportunity, as I may save one kids life or keep him from screwing something up. When it's over and done with, I'll try to post some pictures. Thanks guys.

 

[depicts]

Not bragging

I have to present to roughly 80 fifth graders ...The class has to be at least 45 minutes long, and I have no idea what I'm going to do.

Sevenpoint, I don't need to brag. You were the one who said you had no idea what to do.

I posted before you went on to say you were an 18 year old student. I pictured a situation where someone was brought in to teach a firearms safety class who was not qualified.

I still don't know why you were picked, but as I sid in my original letter, I didn't mean to disparage YOU, but that I thought maybe somone who DID HAVE AN IDEA about what to do might be a better person to teach the class.

I don't think I have all the answers, but neither should you. I hope your class goes well, and like I said, it CAN save a life, and I hope it does.

(By the way, I just looked at your public profile, which states your occupation as PORN STAR....really impresses me with your maturity and ability to cover this important subject well!!!!!!)

 

[SEVENPOINT]

Well, the class was a major success. I talked for almost 2 hours. I cant really go into detail, because I'm about to head out for work. I'll explain more when I get home.






Depicts- I had no idea weather I was going to simply speak the whole time, or try to incorporate some other method of teaching into my lesson plan.(game, pictures, video, etc.) I knew what I had to say, and how to say it. I was merely looking for other suggestions. Apparently you had nothing of any value to post, so you talked about yourself the whole time. At least that's the way I see it.


Oh well, at least everything turned out fine. The kids apparently learned a lot.

 

[sumpnz]

Congrats on everything going so well.

Out of curiosity, how many boys tried to dominate the presentation with questions about grenade launchers, machine guns, their dad's collection, etc? I only ask because I saw a couple boys attempt to do the same thing in the hunter ed class I took a year and a half ago (all I have to say is, thank god they mostly seperated us by age group - adults, 15-17, 13-16, and 10-12 in that class).

Also curious about the reaction of the girls in the class. Having a daughter I'm curious if there was an overriding typical reaction from them (e.g. guns are stupid, or guns are interesting but I'd rather think about clothes/makeup/dolls/etc, or if they mostly had rapt attention).

 

[SEVENPOINT]

OK, here's the deal. I had a 30 minute presentation written explaining how important and serious this kind of thing is. I explained what a firearm was, different types, and different reasons people own them. I had a few hand outs that I let the students pass around, and I had a few stories about encounters with firearms when I was their age. I reiterated time and time again about how important and serious things like this were, without scaring them away from firearms and firearm sports. My 30 minute speech turned into an hour after explaining the different types of firearms, differences in a cartridge and a bullet, how firearms work, etc, etc. After that just about every kid had a few questions, and it was a pleasure to answer them. My favorite question was from a little girl sitting close to the front. She asked if there were "plastic pistols." I immediately knew she was thinking of a Glock, and explained the difference between polymer and plastic, why people liked polymer, and that the pistol is NOT made of plastic. I explained how the barrel, slide, and other parts were made of metal and how there wasn't any way anyone could sneak such a pistol through a metal detector or another type of security.

I answered questions about firearms and firearms safety until the teacher cut me off. Before I left I ask who learned something, and everyone in the room, teachers included, raised their hands.

I'm so delighted that I was given the opportunity to do something like this. It was a pleasure knowing that one day these kids might put something I taught them to good use. The students asked legitimate, insightful questions for the most part, and they were a pleasure to teach.



sumpnz- All of the students seemed interested. Boys and girls asked about the same amount of questions. Aside from one kid asking if Bazookas were illegal, I diddn't really receive any questions like that. When asked who knew that they had firearms in their homes, and who had been shooting or hunting before, about the same amount of students raised their hands. I'd say it was somewhere around 60/40 boys to girls.

 

[GregGry]

I just wanted to say that what you did was great imho. I am going to be teaching my nephew (12) the basics of handguns soon, your story is a real inspiration to me.

 

[Starter52]

Congratulations! I'm glad everything went well.

 

[entropy]

Congrats SEVENPOINT, you took an awesome opportunity and ran with it to great success! Even the teachers learned something; high praise, indeed! I will have a similar opportunity this coming spring and summer. I volunteered to be an Archery and Muzzleloading Leader for 4H. My 12 year old son is going to be my assistant, as he's just finished Hunter Safety and does shoot both. I hope to be as organized and well recieved as you were.
Again, congratulations on a job well done!