Target Age Group:
Preschoolers (Ages 3-5) Grade Level: Pre-K
Goals:
By the end of this unit study, preschoolers will be able to:
- Identify and name various community helpers and their roles.
- Understand the importance of different community helpers in our daily lives.
- Recognize the tools and uniforms associated with different community helpers.
- Develop fine motor skills through arts and crafts activities related to community helpers.
- Gain a basic understanding of community-related concepts in social studies and language arts.
Schedule: 5-Day Plan
Day 1: Introduction to Community Helpers
- Introduce different community helpers: police officers, firefighters, doctors, teachers, etc.
- Discuss the roles and responsibilities of each community helper.
- Read books about community helpers.
- Arts and Crafts: Create paper doll community helpers.
Day 2: Tools and Uniforms
- Explore the tools and uniforms used by various community helpers.
- Discuss how tools help community helpers perform their jobs.
- Read books about community helper tools and uniforms.
- Arts and Crafts: Create a community helper tool collage.
Day 3: Community Helper Visits
- Invite a guest speaker from the community (e.g., a police officer, firefighter) to talk about their job.
- Engage in a Q&A session with the guest speaker.
- Read books about real-life community helpers.
- Arts and Crafts: Create thank-you cards for the guest speaker.
Day 4: Community Helpers in Our Neighborhood
- Discuss community helpers in the neighborhood (e.g., mail carriers, librarians).
- Explore different places where community helpers work (e.g., post office, library).
- Read books about community helpers in the neighborhood.
- Arts and Crafts: Create a mini neighborhood scene.
Day 5: Language Arts and Literature
- Read stories or books that feature community helpers as characters.
- Discuss the different roles of community helpers in the stories.
- Engage in dramatic play related to community helpers.
- Field Trip: Visit a local fire station or police station (if possible).
Resource List:
Books:
- “Whose Hat Is This?: A Look at Hats Workers Wear” by Sharon Katz Cooper – Amazon Link
- “Career Day” by Anne Rockwell – Amazon Link
- “Community Helpers from A to Z” by Bobbie Kalman – Amazon Link
Videos:
- “Community Helpers Song” by Have Fun Teaching – YouTube Link
- “Jobs Song” by Cocomelon – YouTube Link
- “Fire Truck Song” by Little Baby Bum – YouTube Link
Arts and Crafts:
- Paper Doll Community Helpers – Create paper dolls representing different community helpers.
- Community Helper Tool Collage – Create a collage using pictures of tools used by various community helpers.
- Mini Neighborhood Scene – Create a diorama of a neighborhood scene with different community helper buildings.
Field Trip:
Visit a local fire station or police station to learn more about the roles of community helpers and their equipment.
Adapt and customize the activities based on the interests and abilities of the preschoolers in your unit study. Enjoy exploring the world of community helpers with your young learners!