Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, prepare clear pictures or charts of various community helpers (e.g., doctor, police officer, farmer, teacher, tailor, market seller) and objects associated with their roles. The central idea for pupils is to identify these helpers, understand their basic roles in the community, and learn to appreciate their work. Observe if pupils can name at least two community helpers and briefly state what they do.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Second Term
Week: 5
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Social Habits
Curriculum Theme: Social Habits
Previous Lesson: People in Our School
Topic: Social Duties (Community Helpers)
Subject Matter: Social Duties (Community Helpers)
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Mention at least three community helpers.
- Identify the roles of various community helpers.
- State why community helpers are important.
Affective Domain
- Show appreciation for community helpers.
- Express respect for people who help in the community.
Psychomotor Domain
- Participate in a simple role-play of a community helper.
- Point to pictures of different community helpers when named.
Social Domain
- Share ideas about what they might want to be when they grow up.
- Engage in discussions about how people help each other.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) resources on community helpers
- Relevant picture books and charts on community helpers
Instructional Materials
- Charts and posters showing various community helpers (e.g., doctor, nurse, police officer, farmer, teacher, tailor, mechanic, market seller, cleaner, firefighter)
- Pictures of tools or uniforms associated with helpers (e.g., stethoscope, police cap, hoe, chalk)
- Video on community helpers
- Flashcards with names and pictures of community helpers
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson helps 4-year-olds understand the different people who work to make their community a better place. It fosters an appreciation for the work of others and encourages them to think about how they can contribute to society in the future. Learning about community helpers also expands their vocabulary and general knowledge of the world around them.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can identify members of their family and people who help them at home and in school. They have a basic understanding that different people do different jobs.Lesson Content/Board Summary
Social Duties (Community Helpers)
Community helpers are people who work in our community to help us and make our lives better. They do important jobs that benefit everyone. Examples of Community Helpers and Their Roles:- Doctor/Nurse: They help us when we are sick or hurt. They give us medicine and make us feel better.
- Police Officer: They keep us safe and maintain law and order in the community.
- Teacher: They teach children in school to read, write, and learn new things.
- Farmer: They grow food like yam, rice, and vegetables for us to eat.
- Market Seller: They sell food and other things we need in the market.
- Tailor: They sew clothes for us to wear.
- Mechanic: They repair cars and other vehicles.
- Cleaner: They help to keep our schools and streets clean.
- Firefighter: They put out fires and rescue people from dangerous situations.
- Say “Thank you” when they help us.
- Show them respect.
- Cooperate with them and follow their instructions (e.g., listen to the teacher, obey the police).
- Do not make their work difficult.
Key Words
- Community – The place where we live, work, and play together.
- Helper – Someone who gives assistance or support.
- Role – The job or duty someone has.
- Appreciate – To be grateful for something or someone.
Our Community Helpers Song
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Lyrics:
Helpers, helpers, all around,
Working hard in every town.
Doctor helps when we are ill,
Police keep us safe and still.
Teacher helps us learn and grow,
Helpers, helpers, we love you so!
Actions: Point around, make working motions, pretend to use a stethoscope, make a ‘stop’ sign, pretend to write, hug self.
Watch and Learn About Helpers
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Introduce community helpers by asking pupils who helps them at home and school. Use the charts and pictures to introduce each helper one by one, explaining their role in simple, relatable terms. Ask pupils if they have seen these helpers in their community. Emphasize the importance of each role.
What to show or demonstrate: Show clear pictures of each community helper and any associated tools (e.g., a toy stethoscope for a doctor, a small hoe for a farmer). Demonstrate simple actions for each helper (e.g., writing for a teacher, driving a car for a mechanic).
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Our Community Helpers Song” after discussing a few helpers. Sing it slowly first, demonstrating the actions. Repeat the song 2-3 times, encouraging pupils to join in with the words and actions. Use it as a fun way to reinforce the names and roles of helpers.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to see more community helpers. Play the video “Community Helpers Song for Kids” (The Kiboomers) once or twice. After watching, ask pupils to name some helpers they saw in the video and what they do. Encourage them to imitate any actions from the video.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils can correctly name helpers and associate them with their roles. Look for participation in the song and discussions. Correct any misconceptions about what a helper does in a gentle manner.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Picture Talk
- Question and Answer
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Songs and Rhymes
- Role-play
- Video Presentation
- Discussion
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to name people who help them at home and in school (e.g., Mummy, Daddy, teacher, cleaner). The teacher then introduces the topic of “Community Helpers.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by naming family members and school staff. They listen attentively to the introduction of the new topic.
Learning Point: Pupils recall familiar helpers and are introduced to the lesson topic.
Step 2: Explanation of Community Helpers
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Visual Aid
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains simply that community helpers are people who work to help everyone in our community. The teacher shows a chart with various community helpers.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the chart and listen to the explanation. They may point to helpers they recognise.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the basic concept of a community helper.
Step 3: Identifying Helpers and Their Roles
Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Identification/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher points to each community helper on the chart/pictures (e.g., doctor, police officer, farmer, teacher) and asks pupils to name them. The teacher then explains what each helper does.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils try to name the helpers and listen to their roles. They may share if they have seen these helpers.
Learning Point: Pupils identify various community helpers and their specific roles.
Step 4: Singing the Community Helpers Song
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Musical/Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces and leads the pupils in singing the “Our Community Helpers Song” with actions. The teacher repeats the song several times.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing along with the teacher and perform the actions, reinforcing the names and roles of helpers.
Learning Point: Pupils learn a song about community helpers and reinforce their knowledge through music and movement.
Step 5: How to Appreciate Helpers
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Value Education/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses with pupils how they can show appreciation to community helpers (e.g., saying thank you, being polite, cooperating). The teacher gives examples.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and share simple ways they can be kind to helpers.
Learning Point: Pupils learn the importance of showing respect and appreciation to community helpers.
Step 6: Role-play and Aspiration
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Role-play/Encouragement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils who they would like to be when they grow up and why. The teacher encourages simple role-play (e.g., pretending to be a doctor, a teacher).
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils share their aspirations and participate in simple role-play, acting out a helper’s job.
Learning Point: Pupils connect with the idea of future roles and express their interests.
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.
- Name two community helpers you remember.
- What does a doctor do?
- What does a police officer do?
- How can we show appreciation to our teachers?
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.
Step 8: Conclusion
Time: 1 minute
Teaching Skill: Summary/Closure
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and reminds them that all community helpers are important and deserve our respect. The teacher leads a final round of the song.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s praise and sing the song one more time.
Learning Point: Pupils conclude the lesson with a positive reinforcement of the topic.
Lesson Keywords
- Community – The area where we live and interact with others.
- Helper – Someone who assists or supports.
- Doctor – A person who helps sick people.
- Teacher – A person who teaches children in school.
- Police – A person who keeps us safe.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who find it difficult to name helpers, the teacher can use larger, very clear pictures, repeat names and roles slowly, and guide them to point to the correct helper. Provide hand-over-hand guidance for actions during the song.
- Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the concept, the teacher can ask them to name additional community helpers not discussed, or ask them to draw their favourite community helper and explain their role.
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