Community Helpers Laura Scherack Shanon Vance ED

Social Studies Unit: Community Helpers Lesson intended for 2 nd grade Lesson: The students will learn that there are many different types of people and jobs in a community as well as understand the benefits that they offer.

Community Helpers Objectives –The students will be able to name and describe some of the different community helpers and their jobs. –The students will use technology to learn about community helpers and how their jobs benefit the community.

Community Helpers Community Helpers are the people in our community that perform jobs that benefit our community. –Some examples are: Construction worker, doctor, dentist, nurse, police officer, postal worker, firefighter, librarian, chef, baker, teachers, service men and women, and astronauts.

Activities Activity 1: Introduction to different community helpersActivity 1: Introduction to different community helpers Activity 2: Postal Worker Activity 3: Firefighter Activity 4: Police Officer Activity 5: Follow Up Activity with Maps –ResourcesResources

Activity #1 Materials –The book -Community Helpers from A to Z by Bobbie Kalman –Pencils –Paper (plain and lined) –Crayons and Markers –Pictures of Community Helpers –Poster size copy of “Community Helpers Song” Copy of Song

Activity #1 Lesson –Introductory: Read the book Community Helpers A to Z and discuss the different helpers from the book. Teach the Community Helpers Song by using rote memorization techniques. –Developmental: Have the children choose a community helper to write 3 ways they benefit community and draw a picture of the community helper. –Concluding: The children will share their drawings and sentences with the class, and teacher will prompt discussions about the different community helpers.

Activity #2 Materials –Envelopes –Pencils –Stationary Paper –Postage Stamps –Addresses for the Recipients –Pictures of Postal Workers and Post Offices –The Post Office Book by Gail Gibbons –Poster size copy of “Mail Carrier Song” Copy of song

Activity #2 Lesson –Introductory: Read the Post Office book to the class and teach the Mail Carrier song to the students by rote memorization. –Developmental: The students will discuss as a class what a postal worker does for their community. Once the brainstorming and discussion is over. The students will write letters to their parents. They will also write letters to their postal workers to tell them thank you for delivering their letters. –The students will take a walk to the local post office mailbox and mail their letters.

Home Activity Post Office Ink –Need: 1 tsp. of food coloring, 3 TBS. of liquid starch, 1 TBS of water –Directions: Mix the ingredients and use the ink with rubber stamps

Home Activity Make a simple police vest: –Use a large paper grocery bag –With the bag opened, make a large round opening on the bottom for the head, and cut the bag open along the front. –Make round holes on the sides for arm holes. –Close and lay the bag flat and you can paint the front with a sponge. –Cut a long strip of black construction paper to form a belt- just for the front, after the paint is dry. –Attach a badge to the vest and it is ready to wear.

Activity #3 Materials –Book “Firefighters” by Norma Simon –Field Trip Permission Slips –Pencils –4 Square Writing Template4 Square Writing Template –Pictures of Firefighters –Poster size copy of the song “Five Friendly Firefighters” Copy of song

Activity #3 Lesson –Introductory: Read the “Firefighters” book to the class and let the students share their own experiences they have had with firefighters. Have lots of pictures of firefighters and their equipment they use. Teach and sing the “Five Friendly Firefighters” –Developmental: Take the students to the local fire station for a tour given by the local fire fighters. –Concluding: Students will come back and do a 4 square writing activity about their trip to the fire station.

Home Activity Edible Fire Truck To make one: Cover a graham cracker with red frosting. Add two peanut butter cups for wheels. Add one piece of Chex cereal for a window Add two whole pretzel sticks for a ladder. Add a red gumdrop for a light. Eat and Enjoy!

4 Square Template Directions: Give three examples and a feeling sentence. I liked visiting the fire station. __________________________ Feeling Sentence: __________________________

Activity #4 Materials: –Magnifying Glasses –Pencils –Baby Powder –Paper –Metal Box –Transparent Tape –Soft Paint Brush –Book, “I’m Going to be a Police Officer” by Edith I. Kunardt –Poster size copy of “I’m a Police Officer” song Copy of song

Activity #4 Lesson –Introductory: Fingerprinting activity- The students will each get a chance to make their fingerprint and the class will discuss how each persons is different. Ask the students if the know which community helper uses fingerprints to do their job.Fingerprinting activity –Developmental: Read “I’m Going to be a Police Officer” and discuss the book. Also teach and sing “I’m a Police Officer” –Concluding: A police officer will come to the class and talk to them about what he or she does to benefit the community.

Follow Up Activity Materials –Book, “Jobs People Do” by Christopher Maynard –Clothes and hats from different community helpers for dress up –Lined paper –Pencils

Follow Up Activity Lesson: –Introductory: Read “Jobs People Do” and let children share connections that they have to the jobs and people. –Developmental: Play a game where they act and use props for certain community helper jobs discussed this week. Other children will have to guess what their job is. –Concluding: Students will then write about what their favorite community helper was from this weeks lessons.

Resources More Ideas