Unit Plan 30 (PreK Social Studies): Working to Earn and Help

Focus: Help children understand that people work to earn money and to help others, and that we can also share and trade fairly with friends. Through stories, games, and simple pretend-play, children explore why grown-ups have jobs, how work helps families get what they need, and how we can share and trade toys and materials kindly in the classroom.

Grade Level: PreK

Subject Area: Social Studies (Economics)

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

I. Introduction

In this unit, children deepen their understanding that people work—at school, at home, and in the community—to earn money, help others, and take care of needs like food, clothes, and a place to live. They also practice sharing and trading materials fairly, noticing how this helps everyone get a turn and feel included.

Through picture books, sorting games, and simple role-play, children connect work to needs and helping (“Grown-ups work to buy food and help people”) and practice using fair language during small “trading” activities. The unit emphasizes both the practical side of work (earning money) and the caring side (supporting family and community).

Essential Questions

• Why do people work?
• How does work help families get what they need?
• How do workers help other people?
• How can we share and trade fairly with our friends?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Explain in simple language that people work to get money and to help others.
2. Name at least one worker and say how their job helps people or meets needs.
3. Participate in a sharing or trading game, taking turns and using fair language (“Can we trade?” “Your turn, my turn.”).
4. Begin to connect money to buying things we need (food, clothing, home items).
5. Create a “Working to Earn and Help” drawing or dictation showing a worker and how they help or what their work provides.

Standards Alignment — PreK (C3-based custom)

• 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.”
• PK.C3.Econ.4 — Share and trade with others. Practices exchanging toys or materials fairly.
  • Example: Trading puzzle pieces to complete sets.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can say that grown-ups work to earn money and help people.
• I can name a worker and tell how they help.
• I can share or trade a toy or material with a friend.
• I can draw a picture of a worker and tell how they help or what they earn money for.