Community Helper Felt Board and Wrap-up

Whoops Sorry!!
We went on vacation, and so did my blog :)
But tomorrow I'm really excited to show you the tricks we used on our road trip, and they worked!

In the mean time, here are the final things we did for Community Helpers, and some other great ideas, I can't wait to try next time.

During Preschool, we matched the vehicle to the Community Helper.

Aren't these so cute! They are found here.

We used a flannel board,

and I attached the pictures using Velcro,

but you could also glue on flannel on the back as well.
It's kind of an old school method of teaching,
but it's different and captures their attention.

Here are my favorite ideas from the blogs I follow,
I love all of these Community Helper ideas.

I love this cute idea from Homeschool Creations!

They created a doctor bag page and learned about the letter Dd.

I adore this idea from New Hope International School

They learned about a different Community Helper each day,

and for Dentists they painted a tooth with a paint brush!

This idea from Living Life Intentionally boggles my mind:

She introduced a social studies unit starting with home, and then family and then community.

They went on field trips for each one,

and drew lots of pictures.

You really have to stop by her site to see it!

Community Helpers

Our theme for the week was Community Helpers,

which can be a pretty broad subject!

 It can mean anything from teachers, to firemen, to crossing guards.

It is basically a way to learn about different adults

children interact with,

and how that shapes what occupation

they want to have in the future.

So I love changing up the pointer sticks,

Which we use every morning as part of our circle time routine.

I found this picture on-line and printed it, and glued it to a stick.

It was fun and it changed it up a bit for them.

Day one they all fought over having girls,

because 5 out of 6 of the children in preschool are girls.

So day two I made a three more girls.

We read When I Grow Up,

By Al Yankovic

Weird Al? I know, but this book is really cute.

Its a silly book about all the things Sam could be when he grows up.

I also had a book basket filled with Community Helper books like: A Day in the Life of a Police Officer, a Doctor, a Teacher, a Construction Worker,  and a Vetranarian.

Which they could go and read when they finished their work.

For playtime,

I set up a big Community Helper neighborhood in the back yard.

Here's the construction zone:

Here is the post office:

Here is the Grocery Store:

Which doesn't look like much,

but they had the most fun lining up the play food,

and selling it, and buying it.

And here again is the fire truck

This pretend play was a really effective way for them to practice what they learned.

So even though it was a little time intensive to set up,

they used it for both days, so it was worth it!

For a Community Helper Snack,

You could try this fun idea from a Teaching Heart

For math time we went inside to practice patterning skills.

In the past I have been a little apprehensive about pattern worksheets, but this one was very engaging and cute.

{And super effective.}

This Police printable comes from Homeschool Creations,

and it is part of a whole pack!