Unit Plan 3 (Grade 2 Social Studies): Leaders Who Help Us

Focus: Identify and describe authority figures in school and community; explain their responsibilities and how they serve and protect people.

Grade Level: 2

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

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

I. Introduction

In this unit, students learn about leaders and helpers in their daily lives—at school and in the community. They identify authority figures such as the principal, teachers, nurse, custodian, mayor, police officers, firefighters, and librarians, and explore how these leaders keep people safe, organized, and treated fairly. Students use photos, short texts, simple maps, and brief interviews to gather information about what leaders do. By the end of the week, they create a “Leaders Who Help Us” booklet or chart that shows who these leaders are and how they serve the community.

Essential Questions

• Who are the leaders and helpers in our school and community?
• What do authority figures do to help keep people safe, fair, and organized?
• How can we learn about leaders’ jobs by using pictures, maps, short texts, and interviews?
• How can we show respect and appreciation for the leaders who help us?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Identify at least three authority figures at school (e.g., principal, teacher, nurse, custodian) and describe one responsibility for each.
2. Identify at least three community leaders (e.g., mayor, police officer, firefighter, librarian) and describe one responsibility for each.
3. Explain how these leaders help keep people safe, fair, or organized in school and community spaces.
4. Use simple sources—photos, short texts, a basic map, and/or interviews—to gather information about one leader’s job.
5. Create a “Leaders Who Help Us” product (booklet/chart) that shows at least one school leader and one community leader and explains how they serve the community.

Standards Alignment — 2nd Grade (C3-based custom)

• 2.C3.Civ.2 — Describe roles of authority and public officials; identify ways they serve the community.
  • Example: Mayor, council, police, firefighters, principal—basic responsibilities.
• 2.C3.Inq.2 — Gather information from multiple simple sources (photos, maps, short texts, interviews).
  • Example: Use a children’s atlas, a local map, and a librarian interview to learn about services.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can name leaders and helpers at my school and in my community.
• I can tell at least one important job or responsibility for each leader.
• I can explain how leaders help people be safe, fair, or organized.
• I can use pictures, short texts, maps, or interviews to learn more about a leader’s job.
• I can make a clear page or booklet that shows a leader and how they serve our school or community.