Social Studies

KDI:

53. Diversity: Children understand that people have diverse characteristics, interests, and abilities.

54. Community Roles: Children recognize that people have different roles and functions in the community.

55. Decision Making: Children participate in making classroom decisions.

56. Geography: Children recognize and interpret features and locations in their environment.

57. History: Children understand past, present, and future.

58. Ecology: Children understand the importance of taking care of their environment.

ALL MATERIALS:

  • Dress-up clothes (doctor coat, firefighter hat, construction vest, etc.)
  • Props (toy tools, stethoscope, clipboard)
  • Pictures of community helpers
  • Paper
  • Crayons/markers
  • Stapler
  • Family photo (optional)
  • Chart paper
  • Markers
  • Pictures showing classroom behaviors

LESSON PLANS CAN BE COMPLETED IN THE CLASSROOM - NO ROOM CHANGES 

Name of Activity: Community Helpers Dress-Up

Originating Idea: The children have been pretending to be different workers during dramatic play and talking about jobs their family members have.

Curriculum Area: 54. Community roles: Children recognize that people have different roles and functions in the community.

Approaches to learning
Social and emotional development
Physical development and health
Language, literacy, and communication
Mathematics
Creative arts
Science and technology
Social studies

Materials
 Dress-up clothes (doctor coat, firefighter hat, construction vest, etc.)
 Props (toy tools, stethoscope, clipboard)
 Pictures of community helpers

Appropriate Age Group: Pre-K

Beginning of Activity

Today we are going to learn about community helpers. These are people who help us every day. Let’s look at some pictures and talk about what they do.

Middle of Activity

Your ideas for scaffolding children at different developmental levels 

Now I am going to ask you to choose a community helper and act out what they do. 

Early:
A child may randomly choose items. I will name the role and model actions (“This is a firefighter. They put out fires.”).

Middle:
A child begins to act out roles. I will ask questions like, “What does a doctor do?” and encourage role play.

Later:
A child creates more detailed scenarios. I will encourage storytelling and interaction with peers in different roles.

End of Activity

Today we learned about community helpers and the important jobs they do. Tell your friend which helper you liked being.

Follow-up Ideas (2)

  • Invite a community helper to visit the classroom
  • Create a classroom “community” with different roles

Assessment

Children were able to identify and act out at least one community role.

Name of Activity: Our Family Book

Originating Idea: Children have been talking about their families and who they live with during circle time.

Curriculum Area: 53. Diversity: Children understand that people have diverse characteristics, interests, and abilities.

Approaches to learning
Social and emotional development
Physical development and health
Language, literacy, and communication
Mathematics
Creative arts
Science and technology
Social studies

Materials

Paper
 Crayons/markers
 Stapler
 Family photo (optional)

Appropriate Age Group: Pre-K

Beginning of Activity

Today we are going to make a book about our families. Families can look different, and each one is special.

Middle of Activity

Your ideas for scaffolding children at different developmental levels

Now I am going to ask you to draw and tell me about the people in your family.

Early:
A child is scribbling. I will ask the child who is in their family and label their drawings. I will give simple prompts like “Who is this?”

Middle:
A child is able to draw family members. Add a question or detail. Example: Can you tell me what this person likes to do?

Later:
A child is able to describe their family in detail. Ask them questions about their family. Can you tell me something special you do with your family?

End of Activity

Today we made books about our families. Everyone’s family is different and special. Tell your friend about your family.

Follow-up Ideas (2)

Share family books during circle time
Create a classroom family wall

Assessment

Children were able to draw and describe their family members.

Name of Activity: Classroom Rules Chart

Originating Idea: Children have been learning routines and expectations in the classroom and discussing fairness.

Curriculum Area: 55. Decision making: Children participate in making classroom decisions.

Approaches to learning
Social and emotional development
Physical development and health
Language, literacy, and communication
Mathematics
Creative arts
Science and technology
Social studies

Materials

Chart paper
 Markers
 Pictures showing classroom behaviors

Appropriate Age Group: Pre-K

Beginning of Activity

Today we are going to talk about rules that help keep our classroom safe and happy. What rules do you think we need?

Middle of Activity

Your ideas for scaffolding children at different developmental levels

Now I am going to ask you to help me come up with rules for our classroom.

Early:
A child is not responding. I will give the child two choices: should we walk or run in the classroom?

Middle:
A child is able to suggest one rule. I will add a follow-up question. Such as why is this rule important?

Later:
A child is able to explain rules and the reasoning. I will ask them more questions, such as what might happen if we don’t follow this rule?

End of Activity

Today we made classroom rules together. These rules help keep everyone safe and happy

Follow-up Ideas (2)

Revisit and revise rules later in the year
Role-play following and not following rules

Assessment

Children were able to contribute to and understand classroom rules.