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
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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
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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
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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 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:
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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.
Resources
http://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