Community Helper Fun!

Community Helpers has always been a fun little unit introducing kiddos to those who work in and around our community.  Living in a "big" city and our school being located next to our downtown area there are lots of different types of business and 'jobs' that can be found all around us.

There is SO much you can do with community helpers.

I've created a mini-unit to go along with the what I will be teaching my kiddos.

 {You can find it HERE}

Here are some pics of what's included:

 Above: Mini-posters of each community helper.  I use these to first introduce the kiddos to the helpers and then as a culminating activity we play a game of charades and these cards are used in that game! The kiddos LOVE playing charades and it's fun to watch them "act out" what each one is.  You could also use these cards as word cards in your writing center.

Below:  Graphic organizers included in this packet.  I've included one blank venn-diagram and community helpers that you can cut and paste to create your own graphic organizer depending on which community helpers you're wanting to compare/contrast.

 I've also included an emergent reader that focuses on the fluency phrase "I am a.." I've included a teacher and student edition. 

 I also use the teacher emergent reader in this pocket chart center.  I let the kinders use the book as a reference for when they're putting together the sentences and matching the corresponding pictures.  I'm not sure about your kiddos but mine absolutely LOVE putting the sentences together.  I think it's mainly because they get to use a fun pointer when they read them to each other! :)  The simple things.

In this picture is also an image of my syllable counting literacy center in action.  A recording sheet is also included.

 I also included two writing pages for students to record their response to "When I grow up I want to be a..."

"A Toothy Match" worksheet focuses on the student matching the uppercase and lowercase letters and the math worksheets/games included focus on number recognition and matching.

 Another great thing to do with Community Helpers that gets parents involved is to invite some in for a "Career Day."  Did you ever have a career day when you were younger?  I didn't! It's shocking...I know.

I think I'm going to have my kiddos dress up as their favorite community helper as well and then we can, of course, write about it!!! :)

Do you do anything super exciting during your community helpers unit?

First friend to leave a lovely comment gets this unit F-R-E-E!! Be sure to leave your email address!