Unit Plan 2 (Grade 1 Social Studies): Leaders and Helpers at School

Focus: Help students identify helpers and authority figures at school (principal, teacher, nurse, custodian, cafeteria staff, etc.) and describe the goods and services they provide to help others.

Grade Level: 1

Subject Area: Social Studies (Civics • Economics • Community)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 30–45 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students explore their school as a community filled with leaders and helpers who make learning and safety possible every day. Through read-alouds, walks/interviews, and simple charts, students learn to name key school helpers and describe what they do. They also begin to see some of these roles as providing goods (things we can touch/use) and services (things people do to help). By the end, students create a “Helpers at Our School” display or booklet that shows each helper, their job, and how they care for students.

Essential Questions

• Who are the leaders and helpers at our school?
• How does each person help students and staff?
• What is the difference between goods and services, and how do school helpers provide them?
• Why is it important to respect and thank the people who help us at school?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Identify at least 3–5 leaders or helpers at school (e.g., principal, teacher, nurse, custodian, cafeteria worker, librarian).
2. Describe one responsibility or way each helper serves the school community.
3. Sort simple examples into goods (things) and services (actions).
4. Match at least one school helper with the goods or services they provide.
5. Create a page or poster that shows a school helper, their job, and why they are important.

Standards Alignment — 1st Grade (C3-based custom)

• 1.C3.Civ.2 — Identify roles of authority and community helpers; describe responsibilities.
  • Example: Principal, nurse, police officer, librarian—what each does.
• 1.C3.Econ.2 — Identify goods and services and who provides them.
  • Example: A baker makes bread (goods); a mechanic fixes cars (services).

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can name helpers and leaders at our school.
• I can tell one way each helper helps others.
• I can tell if something is a good (thing) or a service (help).
• I can match a school helper with the goods or services they provide.
• I can make a picture and sentence that shows how one helper is important to our school.