Let's Be Firefighters!!!

In this lesson, we will look at firefighters and the role they play in our community. This lesson will familiarize the students with the types of equipment used by firefighters, the special clothing worn by firefighters, and the responsibilities each of them have in our community.

A lesson plan for grade K Social Studies

By Lavonne Holland

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Related topics

• Learn more about social studies.

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

• understand the importance of firefighters.
• meet a firefighter and observe the special clothing and equipment used by firefighters.
• learn fire safety rules.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

1 hour

Materials/resources

• Various art supplies to be used in centers.
• Books about firefighters and fire safety.
• Charts displaying fire safety rules.
• Bulletin boards to familiarize students with Community Helpers and their jobs.
• Pictures of firefighters that show the special equipment and clothing they use.
• Firemen “dress up” clothes for dramatic play center.
• Play fire hats, trucks, and equipment for block center.
• Chart tablets.
• Actual firefighter clothes and equipment to be used during presentation.

Technology resources

Computer Software - “Bears at Work”
Internet

Pre-activities

To begin our study of firefighters, we will place items that relate to this lesson in our classroom centers for the children to explore. We will have a whole group discussion to find out what the students already know about fire safety and what they would like to learn.

Activities

A firefighter will be invited to visit our classroom.

The firefighter will:

• Discuss the education and training needed to become a firefighter.
• Show students clothing and equipment needed to fight fires.
• Discuss fire safety rules and procedures.

Following the firefighter’s presentation, the students will explore the following centers in the classroom:

Blocks Center: The students will use blocks to construct a fire department. Play fire hats, trucks, and equipment will also be available.

Dramatic Play Center: Students will be able to “dress up” like firefighters and pretend to put out fires, rescue people from burning buildings, etc.

Book Center: Books that have been gathered form our classroom and school library will be on display for the students to use.

Painting/Art Center: Various art supplies will be provided so that the students will be able to draw or paint pictures to show what they have learned throughout the lesson. The students will also make firefighter hats, which will be worn throughout the day, while visiting the art center.

Computer Center: Students will use the Internet and other computer programs to obtain information about firefighters and their jobs. Once the information has been located, it will be recorded by the teacher or assistant onto chart tablets. Groups of children may present this information to the rest of the class.

The students will be allowed to rotate throughout the centers to make sure every child has an opportunity to explore each one.

Assessment

• Teacher observation.
• Students will have the opportunity to tell about their pictures and share facts they have learned throughout the lesson.
• The charts made during center time will be reviewed and displayed.

Throughout the year, we will explore different community helpers and participate in various activities in order to familiarize the students with each of their occupations and their responsibilities.

Supplemental information

Books about firefighters obtained from the classroom and school library.

Related websites

The Firehouse Museum’s Home Page (includes safety tips in preventing fires)
http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Arena/4336/fire.html

Comments

I plan to teach this lesson during the second week of October, since this is usually Fire Prevention Week. The whole unit will last approximately one week.