Lesson Plan Supplemental Materials: Community Helpers

My unit lesson for first graders talks about the different types of community helpers. It is important for children to learn the different roles and responsibilities individuals have in their community. This lesson will provide them with information about the different jobs that people have, and how important they are in helping our community function in society. To begin the lesson, I will introduce to students and how it helps our society function properly and peacefully. It is important for first graders to understand the concept of why rules are created, and that it keeps us safe from chaos and danger. First, the students talk about community helpers around them and who they see in school everyday. Then they further move on to the community helpers in their neighborhood. Furthermore, they will talk about community helpers that they don't often see, such as lawmakers, government officials, and other people who are responsible in making sure our laws work, and that they are put into place. By the end of this lesson, the students will understand that the different roles people have in society as important in keeping our community safe. Community helpers are an essential part in our economy, and students will also develop a sense of gratitude towards community helpers.


As part of my Community Helpers Unit Lesson, here are three supplemental materials that I will be using during the lesson:

Word Search on Google Docs

Word Search: This word search was created by myself on discoveryeducation.com and included community helpers in the puzzle. This type of activity can be given as a fun activity during morning work, or when students need more work if they finish their work early. This can also be sent home as part of a homework assignment.

Who Am I Game: The second activity is the Prezi presentation of "Who Am I." This supplemental material can be used as a game during morning meeting, or after reading a book. This is a fun guessing game for students to do as they start of talk about community helpers. An additional activity to this game is naming people that they know who belong in this category. For example, in the SmartBoard, they can name as many teachers they know, or doctors, or other community helpers. The teacher can divide the class into two groups, and each group will have an opportunity to guess in the game, "Who Am I?"

Worksheet on Community Helpers: The last supplemental material is a formal assessment of what students have learned in this lesson. I can give this worksheet to students as a way for me to see how much they have learned about the topic. This gives me the opportunity to adjust my lessons accordingly. If most students get this wrong, then I need to spend more time teaching this topic. If the students mostly answered this worksheet accurately, then I can move on to a different topic, or expand this topic into something different.

Another iPad application that I would encourage parents to download at home as an extension of this activity is called, "Community Helpers Play and Learn: Kids Educational App" This is a free app, and it is a great way for first graders to expand their knowledge on this topic.