This week was all about community helpers. As a class, we talked about the different jobs throughout our community and the children shared what job they would want to do. In circle time, we sang the Fire Truck song and recited poems that described several different jobs.

Art projects:

The children made x-ray hands to represent x-ray technicians and doctors. First, the children had their hands painted by a teacher, then pressed their hands onto the black paper. After the paint dried, the children glued q-tips onto the hand prints to be the “bones.” A few of them figured out to break the q-tips to fill the open space.

The children created Mail Trucks to represent Mail Carriers. First, they used glue sticks to glue various pieces onto paper cut out into the shape of a Mail truck. The teacher asked the child what the sample truck had and what they needed for their truck. They pointed out the wheels and identified them as circles. They identified the other shapes. We then talked about the postal symbol before gluing it on.

The children created “MWS Junior Police” badges. First, they painted the pre-cut badge shaped paper. Once the silver paint dried, they found the piece of paper with their name printed on it and a piece with the name of the “police department” on it. They glued those pieces onto the badge. Once they were all dry, the teachers laminated, hole punched, and attached a pin to the badge. The pin made the badge able to be worn for dramatic play or as an accessory.

At the tables, the children completed fire fighter and matching community helper puzzles. At the other table, the children played with community helper toy figures and wooden buildings. The children wrote letters and made cards to put in the toy mail box. They worked hard to make the cards and get the paper into the envelope.

On the rug, the children played with a wooden fire house, various fire engines and fire fighters.

On top of the loft, the children pretended to be doctors and gave the babies check-ups.

In the sensory table, there were popcorn kernels with different recyclable items. We talked about recycling and the people who work on trucks that collect recyclables. The children really enjoyed exploring with the different containers and the kernels. They filled, poured, and shook. A few of the children enjoyed holding a few kernels up high above the table, dropping them while signing “rain, rain go away.”