Minds On

Exploring our schools

A community helper helping children play musical instruments like drums and maracas.

For this activity, you can record your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.

Brainstorm

Community helpers

Make a list of community helpers who are in a school.

  • What is their job?
  • How do they help the school community?
  • Why are they important?

Record your ideas in a notebook or another method of your choice.

We need community helpers in our schools. Why do you think community helpers are important for our schools?

Let’s keep exploring why they are so important.

Action

Task 1: Community helpers in our school

School is a very important part of our community. Students spend a lot of time in school every week.

A crossing guard holding a stop sign in front of a school bus.

Community helpers are important people who help others in the community.

Everyone who lives in a community can become a community helper.

Press ‘Hint’ to reveal some types of community helpers.

  • grocery store clerks
  • postal workers
  • firefighters
  • paramedics
  • bakers and chefs

There are many community helpers that are part of the school community as well. These are people who help us at school.

Brainstorm

What community helpers are in your school?

Can you think of some of the different types of community helpers we have at school? How do they help us?

Press ‘Example’ to reveal different types of community helpers at school.

  • teachers
  • librarians
  • custodians
  • lunch monitors
  • breakfast club volunteers
  • school council
  • afterschool volunteers
  • special events helpers

Which community helper does what job?

A person explaining their job. The text reads “I drive some students to and from school!”

Let’s complete a matching activity of the community helpers in our school and how they help us. You can also record your responses using a method of your choice.

Match the descriptions of the community helpers by selecting the right job.

Task 2: Videos about school community helpers

You will access two videos about different community helpers. As you explore them, think about how they are helping the community.

A teacher

Access this video entitled "I Want To Become A Teacher" to learn more about teachers.

Maggie imagines what it would be like to be a teacher. She would love to help kids learn.

Now that you’ve explored the video, answer the following question:

  • How do teachers help children in school?

Record your ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice.

A school bus driver

Check out this video entitled "I Want To Be A School Bus Driver" to learn more about school bus drivers.

Skye imagines what it would be like to be a school bus driver and get the kids on her bus route to school safely and on time.

Now that you’ve explored the video, answer the following question:

  • Why are bus drivers important school community members?

Record your ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice.

Consolidation

Thank you, school community helpers!

A set of hands writing the words “Thank you” on a piece of paper with a crayon.

A student creating a thank you card for a school community member. Let’s make a card for one of your school’s community helpers or a community helper in your community!

Create a thank you message for a community helper using a method of your choice.

Use the following checklist to make sure you have included everything in your thank you card!

Thank You Card Checklist:

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity?  Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel...

Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.