Unit Plan 9 (Grade 1 Social Studies): Our Neighborhood and Local Places

Focus: Help students identify familiar neighborhood places—such as stores, parks, offices, and other local spots—and describe what happens in each. Students connect these places to goods and services and the people who provide them.

Grade Level: 1

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

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

I. Introduction

In this unit, students explore their neighborhood and local community by learning about familiar places like stores, parks, libraries, offices, and schools. They talk about what happens in each place and who works there. Students also learn the difference between goods (things you can buy and use) and services (things people do to help). By the end of the week, they create a simple neighborhood map or poster that shows local places and explains what happens in each.

Essential Questions

• What places are in our neighborhood and what happens there?
• Who are the helpers (workers) in our community and what do they do?
• What are goods and services, and where do we find them?
• How do neighborhood places help people meet their needs and wants?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Name and identify neighborhood places (stores, parks, offices, etc.) and tell what people do there.
2. Describe the purpose of at least three familiar places (e.g., “We buy food at the grocery store”).
3. Distinguish between goods and services in simple neighborhood examples.
4. Match workers (baker, doctor, librarian) with the goods or services they provide.
5. Create a simple neighborhood map or poster labeling places and describing what happens in each.

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

• 1.C3.Geo.1 — Identify and describe familiar places (home, school, neighborhood) and their purposes.
  • Example: Tell what happens in the cafeteria vs. library.
• 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 places in my neighborhood and tell what happens there.
• I can tell the difference between goods (things we buy) and services (things people do to help).
• I can say who works in a place and how they help people.
• I can make a simple map or poster that shows neighborhood places with labels and short descriptions.