Mr. Rogers once said,
When I was a boy and would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’

Your young learner is curious about the world about them.  What do the grownups do all day?  Who can I turn to when I need help?  How does my city, town or community work?  Where can I take a hurt animal?  Who do I call if I'm sick?  What happens to my trash and recycling?  How does the food I order get to my house?  

Kids look at the world around them and wonder: How does all of this work?

In this ongoing class, we'll learn about an important community helper each week.  What do they do?  What special tools, clothing, or vehicles do they need?  Where do they do their work?  What impact do they have on our community?  Can I do what they do when I grow up?

Each class will include a brief interactive lesson about our help of the day.  Students will explore the subject through a variety of approaches: hands-on activities, games, discussion, movement activities, Q & A, and more.  Guided sharing and participation will be encouraged throughout the class. Each weekly meeting will conclude by completing a "Community Handbook" page together, where we will discuss and draw what we have learned.  Coloring pages will also be provided for students who aren't as confident in their drawing skills.

In each short, introductory lesson, students will learn about the weekly featured career through a variety of approaches, such as read aloud stories, informative slides, video clips, and graphics, and more.  We will also intermittently add playful learning activities such as: building and sculpting, movement activities, games, discussion, repetition and more.  Vocabulary words such as observe, investigate, community, city, rural, career, tools, training, rescue, skills, and more will be introduced and used during these interactive, engaging lessons.

While the main focus of this weekly club will be on introducing young learners to the important workers in our communities, we will also be practicing important primary-age social and educational skills as we learn about towns, cities, and social studies and STEAM concepts.  The short lesson at the beginning will provide a framework for these discussions and will help the young explorer to build and develop observation, recreation, and communication skills, as well as foster curiosity, wonder, and interest in the world around them.  The "community handbook" pages will serve as a fun keepsake and reference for future career inspiration.

This is an ongoing club designed especially for primary and early elementary learners (preK-2nd grade).  The weekly subject matter will be introductory--so no previous knowledge of the topic is required.  All activities, games, read-alouds, videos, and content will be age and developmentally appropriate.  New topics will be presented each week--jump in at any time!  Topics will be mostly teacher-led, but I will consider and encourage student or parent requests.

Weekly class themes will be as follows: (10-class cycles)
Spring 2023:
Week of Tue, Apr 4 Safety Helpers: Firefighters
Week of Tue, Apr 11 Neighborhood Helpers: Trash Collectors
Week of Tue, Apr 18 Education Helpers: Librarians
Week of Tue, Apr 25 Health Helpers: Doctors
Week of Tue, May 2 Food Helpers: Farmers
Week of Tue, May 9 Builder and Fixer Helpers: Mechanic
Week of Tue, May 16 Health : Veterinarian
Week of Tue, May 23 Education: Teachers
Week of Tue, May 30 Safety Helpers: Police
Week of Tue, Jun 6 Builders and Fixers: Construction Worker

Fall 2023
(10-class cycle starts again)
Week of  Sept 17 Safety Helpers: Firefighters
Week of Sept 24 Neighborhood Helpers: Trash Collectors
Week of October 1 Education Helpers: Librarians
Week of October 8 NO CLASS
Week of October 15 Health Helpers: Doctors
Week of October 22 Food Helpers: Farmers
Week of October 29:  Builder and Fixer Helpers: Mechanic
Week of November 5: Health : Veterinarian
Week of November 12: Education: Teachers
Week of November 19: NO CLASS  
Week of November 26:  Safety Helpers: Police
Week of December 3:  Builders and Fixers: Construction Worker

Winter 2023:
Future dates and themes TBD (will be posted here and in the classroom)
(Additional class dates and themes may be added based on student interest and suggestions.  This schedule is subject to change based on feedback from families and the teacher's availability and discretion.  Any changes will be posted as soon as possible for the most notice to families and students.)

PLEASE NOTE: I strive to create a positive, relaxed learning environment for all of my students.  No activities are forced, and sharing is always optional.  I am a gentle (albeit enthusiastic) teacher.  I welcome all types of learners, and am open to any feedback or communication with parents and caregivers.  I want learning to be an AWESOME experience for your little ones.
To this end, I ask you to remember that this age group often needs a little more support on both sides of the screen that older students.  Please remain nearby your child during class, in case they need social or emotional support, help understanding or navigating instructions, or technical assistance.  This makes a huge difference in the quality of their classroom experience, especially for our youngest learners.

ALSO:  Access to a color printer is required for this class, as well as a blank notebook or sketchbook.  The teacher will provide a recommendation as to what type of notebook works best upon request.  All other supplies will be easy to find, common household or office supplies, and will be noted in the classroom prior to each weekly meeting (as well as in the "Supplies" section of this class listing).