Lesson Plan
Expectation: I am RESPECTFUL on the Bus
Skill/Rule: Being Respectful on the Bus
I use an inside voice
I use kind words
I listen to the bus driver
I do not eat, drink or chew gum
Context/Setting: On the School Bus
Introduction: Discuss the importance of knowing and practicing Bus Safety rules. We have talked about being
SAFE on the bus. Who remembers what we learned about being SAFE on the bus? It is also important to be
RESPECTFUL on the bus. When we are RESPECTFUL in the classroom, what do we do? Yes, we use an inside
voice, use kind words to others and listen to the teacher. Is it important to be RESPECTFUL and do these things on
the bus? How can it make the bus driver’s job easier? Why do our parents want us to be RESPECTFUL on the
school bus?
Demonstration: Arrange 6-8 student chairs into rows, simulating the rows of seats on the bus. Use a larger chair to
represent the driver’s seat. Model the proper way to enter the bus, sit down in a seat, then how to exit the bus. Focus
on using an inside voice, using kind words, listening to the bus driver and not eating, drinking or chewing gum.
Role Play:
Example: When Mrs. Smith asks Bus 79’s line to stand up and proceed to the bus, Montez promptly stands up,
picks up his backpack and follows the person in front of him to the bus.
Nonexample: Denise sees Kelly is sitting with Amy, who Denise wanted to sit with. Denise yells, “Kelly MOVE,
you are in MY seat!”
Example: Darianna and Kylee are sitting with each other on the bus. They are quietly talking with each other
about all the fun things they are going to do at Shawna’s birthday party this coming Saturday night.
Nonexample: Jarvis gets on the bus and yells, “Raylyn you are such a creep! Get out of here!”
Example: The bus driver says, “Everyone needs to sit down before we can go.” Damien quietly takes the first seat.
Nonexample: The bus driver says, “Everyone needs to sit down before we can go.” Sarah keeps jumping up and
down in the aisle.
Nonexample: Deondre’ is sitting in the 5th row of seats on the bus. His best friend Micah is sitting in the 8th row of
seats. Deondre’ turns around in the seat, rests his arm over the back of the seat and yells to get Micah’s attention.
Now he can tell him about the awesome game of basketball he played at lunch recess.
Example: Peyton is really hungry and the bus ride home is taking FOREVER! He remembers he has an apple left
from lunch. He remembers the No eating, drinking or chewing gum rule so he decides to wait and thinks to himself,
“I’ll be home soon then I can eat!”
Nonexample: Paige hands Jamie a stick of gum and says “Want some gum?” Jamie says “Sure! Thanks!”
Student Examples: Ask bus-riding students to share with non-bus riders the safe and unsafe practices they have
seen when they have been on their bus.
Review:
K-3rd – Discuss with students how each person’s behavior affects other people. Give examples of good behaviors
as well as negative ones.
4th-5th – Break into small groups. Brainstorm ways people’s behavior can affect others, in both positive and
negative ways. Each group choose a spokesperson to report back to the class the ideas shared in their group.
4th-5th – In small groups, create one-act plays or write a song about how to be respectful on the bus by using a quiet
voice, using kind words and listening to the bus driver.
Practice Throughout the Day:
During computer lab time, have class log on to www.ncbussafety.org. There are great activities
available to reinforce school bus safety rules. Some activities are perfect for the SmartBoard, while others
lend themselves to individually completed puzzles and games.
- Share a story with your students about a time you rode a school bus. Give your own examples of respectful and
disrespectful practices you have seen. What were to consequences?
Homework: Discuss with the adults in your family the experiences they had when they rode a school bus. Was it
any different from what it’s like today? Were the busses the same? How far away was the bus stop from their
home? Report back to classmates some of what your family spoke about.
Related Literature:
“Don’t Let Pigeon Drive the Bus” by Mo Willems.
“School Safety” by Nancy Loewen
“Riding the School Bus with Mrs. Kramer” by Alice Flanigan
“My School Bus-A Book About School Bus Safety.” By Heather Fel
“School Bus.” By Donald Crew
“A Kid’s Guide to Staying Safe at School.” by M. Boelts
“The Little School Bus.” by Carol Roth
“The Bus for Us.” by Suzanne Bloom
Quotation:
Make the most of today.
Translate your good intentions into actual deeds.
- Grenville Kleiser