Community Helpers

Laura Scherack

Shanon Vance

ED 417-02

Social Studies

• Unit: Community Helpers

• Lesson intended for 2nd 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 helpers

• Activity 2: Postal Worker

• Activity 3: Firefighter

• Activity 4: Police Officer

• Activity 5: Follow Up Activity with Maps– Resources

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 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 TruckTo make one:

Cover a graham cracker with red frosting.Add two peanut butter cups for wheels.Add one piece of Chex cereal for a windowAdd 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.

– 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.

Resourceshttp://www.first-school.ws/theme/commhelpers.htm

http://comsewogue.k12.ny.us/~rstewart/k2001/themes/community/helpers.htm - More Ideas

http://www.teachers.net/lessons/posts/1043.html

http://www.edhelper.com/community2_1_0.htm

http://www.preschooleducation.com/ahelper.shtml