Unit Plan 29 (Grade 1 Social Studies): Goods and Services in Our Community
Students learn the difference between goods and services by exploring community workers, matching jobs to what they provide, and acting out roles to see how people help others.
Focus: Help students identify and talk about goods and services in their community and the people who provide them. Students learn that people work jobs to earn money and to help others, using picture sorts, simple matching games, and role-play as workers in a pretend community.
Grade Level: 1
Subject Area: Social Studies (Economics • Community Connections)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 30–45 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students discover that communities are full of people who make things (goods) and do things (services) to help others. They explore familiar workers—such as bakers, nurses, mechanics, and teachers—and connect each job to the goods or services they provide. Students also learn that people work to earn money and to help others stay safe, healthy, and happy. Through stories, picture cards, and a simple “Our Community Street” role play, first graders begin to see how everyone’s work fits together.
Essential Questions
- What is a good? What is a service?
- Who are the people that make and do things in our community?
- Why do people work jobs?
- How does a worker’s job help others?
- How do goods and services make our community a better place to live?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Define and give simple examples of goods (things you can touch and buy) and services (help someone does for you).
- Sort pictures and classroom examples into “Goods” and “Services” with support.
- Identify community workers (e.g., baker, mechanic, nurse, teacher) and match them to the goods or services they provide.
- Explain that people work jobs to earn money and to help others in the community.
- Draw or describe one worker, the good or service they provide, and how that work helps other people.
Standards Alignment — 1st Grade (C3-based custom)
- 1.C3.Econ.2 — Identify goods and services and who provides them.
- Example: A baker makes bread (goods); a mechanic fixes cars (services).
- 1.C3.Econ.3 — Explain that people work jobs to earn money and help others.
- Example: Match workers to tools and places of work.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can tell the difference between a good and a service.
- I can sort pictures into goods and services and explain why I put them there.
- I can name community workers and tell what they make or what they do.
- I can say that people work to earn money and to help others.
- I can draw or tell about one worker, the good or service they provide, and how they help our community.