Unit Plan 3 (PreK Social Studies): Our Helpers at School

Focus: Help children recognize school helpers (teachers, custodians, lunch staff, principals) and understand what they do, tools they use, and that people work to earn money and help others. Students will connect helpers’ jobs to learning and staying safe at school.

Grade Level: PreK

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

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 15–20 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, children learn that many grown-ups at school are helpers with important jobs. They explore who these helpers are, what they do, and how they keep us safe, fed, and ready to learn. Using photos, stories, and play, students connect helpers’ jobs and tools (brooms, lunch trays, walkie-talkies) to their own daily experiences. They also hear the simple idea that people work to get what they need and to help others.

Essential Questions

• Who helps us at school?
• What do school helpers do to keep us safe, clean, and ready to learn?
• What tools do school helpers use in their jobs?
• Why do people work? How does their work help others?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Name at least two school helpers (e.g., teacher, custodian, principal, lunch staff) and say something they do.
2. Match familiar helpers with some of the tools they use at school (e.g., mop, serving tray, books, walkie-talkie).
3. Begin to understand that people work jobs to earn money and help others.
4. Share a drawing or simple statement about one school helper and how that person helps them.

Standards Alignment — PreK (C3-based custom)

• PK.C3.Civ.2 — Identify classroom and community helpers. Names people who help others and tells what they do.
  • Example: “Firefighters put out fires.”
• PK.C3.Econ.2 — Recognize jobs and workers in the community. Names familiar workers and the tools they use.
  • Example: “A builder uses a hammer.”
• PK.C3.Econ.3 — Understand that people work to get what they need. Learns that people have jobs to earn money and help others.
  • Example: “My mom works at the store.”

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can name helpers at my school.
• I can tell what a helper does or what tools they use.
• I know that people work to get what they need and to help others.
• I can draw or tell about a helper who helps me at school.