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Family & Community Connections

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Beftu Sayed

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Family & Community Lesson Plan

Students will explore different family structures and community roles by creating a family tree, sorting community helper cards, and reflecting on their own contributions in family and community. By the end, they will demonstrate empathy and understanding of how everyone supports each other.

This lesson helps 2nd graders build empathy, respect, and a sense of belonging by recognizing diverse family structures and community roles. It fosters social-emotional skills as students appreciate how each person contributes to well-being.

Audience

2nd Grade

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Hands-on activities, story read-aloud, and reflective discussion.

Materials

  • Chart Paper, - Markers, - Sticky Notes, - Family Tree Template, - Community Helper Cards, - My Role in the Community Worksheet, and - Helpers All Around Picture Book Slides

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

  • Print and cut Family Tree Template for each student.
  • Print and cut Community Helper Cards into card sets.
  • Print copies of My Role in the Community Worksheet.
  • Prepare Chart Paper and Markers for group discussion.
  • Review Helpers All Around Picture Book Slides before class.

Step 1

Introduction & Objective

5 minutes

  • Welcome students and introduce the topic: Family & Community.
  • Display the lesson title on Chart Paper.
  • Discuss what 'family' and 'community' mean and outline session goals.

Step 2

Read-Aloud Story

10 minutes

  • Present Helpers All Around Picture Book Slides.
  • Pause to ask questions: What roles do helpers play? How do they support us?
  • Highlight connections between helpers in the story and real-life community roles.

Step 3

Family Tree Activity

10 minutes

  • Distribute Family Tree Template.
  • Instruct students to draw their family members and label each role.
  • Encourage students to share one interesting fact about their family structure with a partner.

Step 4

Community Helpers Sorting

10 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups and provide Community Helper Cards.
  • Ask groups to sort cards into categories (e.g., emergency, service, care) on Chart Paper using Markers.
  • Circulate to prompt discussion about each helper’s importance.

Step 5

Personal Reflection Worksheet

8 minutes

  • Hand out My Role in the Community Worksheet.
  • Students draw and write about a role they play in their family or community.
  • Encourage thinking about how their actions help others and build belonging.

Step 6

Share & Closing

2 minutes

  • Invite a few volunteers to share their worksheet reflections with the class.
  • Summarize key takeaways: everyone has a role and supports one another.
  • Praise students for their contributions and wrap up the lesson.
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Slide Deck

Family & Community Connections

Welcome!
– Explore different family structures
– Meet community helpers
– Discover your special role

Welcome students! Introduce yourself and the session. Explain that today we will learn about families and communities and how everyone supports each other.

Learning Objectives

By the end of today, you will:
• Identify different family members and structures
• Recognize important community helper roles
• Reflect on how you help in your family and community

Highlight the lesson goals. Ensure students understand each objective before moving on.

What Are Family & Community?

Family: A group of people who love and support each other
Community: People who live, work, or help in the same area

Discuss examples and share ideas!

Ask students: What is a family? What is a community? Write responses on chart paper.

Read-Aloud: Helpers All Around

Let’s read the story of Helpers All Around.
• Listen for different helpers
• Think about how they support families and communities

Introduce the read-aloud. Explain that students should listen for helpers in the story and think how they support others.

Activity: Create Your Family Tree

  1. Take your Family Tree Template.
  2. Draw and label each family member.
  3. Share one special fact about your family with a partner.

Guide students through the family tree activity. Show them how to draw and label their own families.

Activity: Sort Community Helpers

  1. In small groups, get your Community Helper Cards.
  2. Sort helpers into categories: emergency, service, care.
  3. Place cards on chart paper and discuss why each belongs in its group.

Explain sorting categories and model with one card. Then let groups work independently.

Personal Reflection

• Take your My Role in the Community Worksheet.
• Draw a picture of a role you play at home or school.
• Write a sentence explaining how you help others.

Pass out worksheets and circulate as students draw and write. Encourage thoughtful reflection.

Share & Closing

• Who would like to share their drawing?
• Remember: Every person has a special role and helps their community.
• Great job today!

Invite volunteers to share. Reinforce key takeaways and praise student contributions.

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Worksheet

My Role in the Community Worksheet

Name: _______________________ Date: _______________

Instructions: Think about a role you play at home, at school, or in your neighborhood. Complete the drawing and writing prompts below. Use complete sentences when you write your answers.

  1. Draw a picture of yourself helping in your family or community. Include the people and place where you help.












  1. What role do you play? (e.g., helper, reader, organizer)




  1. How does this role help others?






  1. When do you usually do this role? (e.g., after school, on weekends, at school)




  1. How do you feel when you help others?






  1. What is one thing you are proud of about your role?




Bonus Reflection: If you could help in one more way this week, what would you do?







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Activity

Community Helper Cards

These cards feature important community helpers. Print and cut along the lines to create a set of cards for sorting and discussion.

How to Use:

  • Distribute the cards to small groups.
  • Ask students to sort them into categories (emergency, service, care).
  • Discuss each helper’s role and why they are important.
HelperDescription
DoctorTreats people who are sick and gives medicine to help them get better.
NurseCares for patients in hospitals or clinics and helps doctors.
FirefighterPuts out fires, rescues people, and keeps communities safe from fires.
Police OfficerProtects people, enforces laws, and helps keep neighborhoods safe.
TeacherTeaches students new skills and knowledge at school.
Mail CarrierDelivers letters and packages to homes and businesses.
LibrarianManages library books, helps people find information, and reads stories.
Garbage CollectorPicks up trash and recycling to keep our streets clean.
FarmerGrows fruits, vegetables, and raises animals to provide food.
ChefPrepares and cooks meals in restaurants or cafeterias.
Bus DriverDrives the school or city bus to take people to their destinations.
Construction WorkerBuilds and repairs homes, schools, and other buildings.
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Reading

Helpers All Around

It was a bright, sunny morning in Sunnyside Town, and Mei skipped down the sidewalk to meet her friends at the park. Along the way, she waved to Mr. Lopez, the mail carrier, who carefully placed letters and packages into every mailbox. “Good morning, Mr. Lopez!” Mei called. He tipped his hat and smiled, happy to start his day delivering mail to families near and far.

Not far away, Captain Hill, the firefighter, slid down the shiny pole at the fire station. She put on her bright yellow coat and helmet before climbing into the red fire engine. When the alarm rang, she raced through town, sirens blaring, to help people stay safe and to put out fires that might threaten homes and parks.

Back at Sunnyside Elementary, Ms. Rivera, the teacher, greeted her students at the classroom door. She helped them settle into their seats and read a story about space explorers. With her warm smile and patient voice, she showed each child new ways to learn and think, making sure everyone felt confident and included.

At the edge of town, by the big river, Farmer James worked in his field. He planted rows of bright green lettuce and tall, strong corn stalks. Every day, he watered his crops and checked on the chickens in the coop. Thanks to Farmer James, families in Sunnyside had fresh vegetables and eggs for their meals.

Inside the cool library, Librarian Aisha arranged books on the shelves and helped Mei’s little brother find a story about dinosaurs. She created a cozy reading corner with soft pillows and colorful rugs. When families visited, Aisha taught them how to use the computer to search for information and discover new books to enjoy at home.

As the sun began to set, Mei sat on a bench and thought about all the helpers she’d seen. She realized that every person—no matter their job—worked hard to take care of others and make Sunnyside Town a wonderful place to live.

Discussion Questions

  1. Which helper did you see first when reading the story? How did they help the town?
  2. How does Captain Hill stay ready to help when there’s an emergency?
  3. Why is Farmer James’s work important for families?
  4. What’s your favorite community helper and why?
  5. How do you help your family or friends every day?
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