Differentiate instruction with a unit focused on community helpers. A pre-assessment levels scholars into three groups. Learning contracts offer participants the choice of activities to complete and show what they know about specific professions. The practice covers jobs, uniforms, and places of work.  

Concepts

community helpers, police, nurses, mail, the post office, hair, veterinarians, scientists

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Invite one or a couple of community helpers to speak to the class about their profession 
• Plan time in the computer lab for participants to complete the computer section of the unit 
• Enlist family volunteers to aid groups in navigating through the learning activities 

Classroom Considerations

• Activities require a variety of materials 
• Groups are based on proficiency levels—administer pre-assessment prior to starting the unit 

Pros

• Includes May Do activities for early finishers 
• Practice pages are color coded 

Cons

• Levels teach about different community helpers; therefore, groups do not gain the same information
• Worksheets are poor quality—disorganized and difficult to follow 

Common Core

RI.K.1 RI.K.2 RI.K.10 RI.1.1 RI.1.2 RI.1.10 RI.2.1 RI.2.2 RI.2.10 SL.K.4 SL.K.5 SL.1.1.a SL.1.4 SL.1.5 SL.2.1.a SL.2.4 SL.2.5