Community & Public Services Course Plan

Course Overview

Welcome to our 4-week course on Community & Public Services. Students will explore diverse roles within their community through the lens of civic engagement as they read Civic Square: The Grand Opening and engage with practical, hands-on activities. The course is designed for a multi-age homeschool group (grades K–5) and integrates reading, writing, grammar, and math skills with real-world experiences and roleplay. Each week focuses on different community helpers, ensuring a logical progression of learning.

Weekly Breakdown

Week 1: Postal Workers

Objective: Students will learn about the role of postal workers in the community.

Lesson 1: Introduction to Postal Services

GSE Standards: ELAGSEKRL1, ELAGSEKRF3, ELAGSEKSL2
Activities: Read Chapter 1 of Civic Square. Discuss the purpose of a postal worker and mail delivery systems through roleplay.
Differentiation: K-2 will create a letter to a classmate, while 3-5 will write a letter to a local postal worker expressing gratitude.

Lesson 2: Understanding Addressing

GSE Standards: ELAGSEKRL2, ELAGSEKRF4, ELAGSEKWR6
Activities: Teach how to format an address correctly with a fun addressing game.
Differentiation: K-2 use pre-written address templates; 3-5 create their own addressing cards for peers.

Lesson 3: Exploring Postal Math

GSE Standards: ELAGSE1MD2, ELAGSE2MD8
Activities: Calculate the cost of mailing letters and packages. Introduce weight and postage.
Differentiation: K-2 use simple addition, while 3-5 engage with multi-step problems involving weight.

Lesson 4: Building a Post Office

GSE Standards: ELAGSE3M5, ELAGSE4M4
Activities: STEM Builder's Blueprint: Design and build a post office using blocks or Minecraft.
Differentiation: K-2 focus on building a simple structure; 3-5 incorporate functions like sorting mail.

Lesson 5: Community Project

GSE Standards: ELAGSE5W3, ELAGSE5S6
Activities: Organize a “mail day” where students prepare letters for local community services.
Differentiation: Create handmade cards for K-2; write letters containing civic concerns for 3-5.

Week 2: Fire Careers

Objective: Students will explore the roles of firefighters and fire safety.

Lesson 1: Meet the Firefighters

GSE Standards: ELAGSEKRL2, ELAGSEKRF5, ELAGSEKSL3
Activities: Read about firefighters in Civic Square. Discuss the tools and equipment they use.
Differentiation: K-2 create a firefighter puppet; 3-5 research modern equipment.

Lesson 2: Fire Safety Basics

GSE Standards: ELAGSE1RI3, ELAGSE2RI4
Activities: Learn about fire safety tips. Create a fire safety poster.
Differentiation: K-2 use visuals for their posters; 3-5 include detailed tips and procedures.

Lesson 3: Math in Firefighting

GSE Standards: ELAGSE2OA1, ELAGSE4MD2
Activities: Introduce scenarios where students calculate the number of water gallons needed to extinguish a fire.
Differentiation: Simple counting for K-2; fractions and basic decimals for 3-5.

Lesson 4: Building a Fire Station

GSE Standards: ELAGSE3M5, ELAGSE4M4
Activities: STEM Builder's Blueprint: Build a fire station using blocks or digital tools.
Differentiation: K-2 create basic designs; 3-5 design a functional fire station.

Lesson 5: Community Fire Drill

GSE Standards: ELAGSE5S1, ELAGSE5W1
Activities: Conduct a fire drill simulation and reflect on roles.
Differentiation: K-2 practice evacuation walkthrough; 3-5 prepare an emergency plan.

Week 3: Law Enforcement

Objective: Students will understand the roles of law enforcement in maintaining public safety.

Lesson 1: Introduction to Law Enforcement

GSE Standards: ELAGSEKRL1, ELAGSEKRF4, ELAGSEKSL2
Activities: Read about police officers in Civic Square. Discuss their community roles.
Differentiation: K-2 share what they know; 3-5 research recent police community initiatives.

Lesson 2: The Law Enforcement Process

GSE Standards: ELAGSE1RI3, ELAGSE2RI4
Activities: Learn about how police respond to emergencies through roleplay.
Differentiation: K-2 reenact traffic stops; 3-5 discuss and roleplay different scenarios.

Lesson 3: Math in Law Enforcement

GSE Standards: ELAGSE2MD6, ELAGSE3MD3
Activities: Calculate response times and distances traveled during emergencies.
Differentiation: K-2 use basic counting; 3-5 analyze average speeds and times.

Lesson 4: Creating a Police Station

GSE Standards: ELAGSE3M5, ELAGSE4M4
Activities: STEM Builder's Blueprint: Design a police station.
Differentiation: K-2 use basic shapes; 3-5 incorporate community needs into their designs.

Lesson 5: Civic Responsibility Project

GSE Standards: ELAGSE5W3, ELAGSE5S6
Activities: Develop a neighborhood watch project highlighting community safety.
Differentiation: K-2 create awareness posters; 3-5 draft a community safety brochure.

Week 4: Forensic Science

Objective: Students will learn about the role of forensic science in the community.

Lesson 1: Understanding Forensic Science

GSE Standards: ELAGSEKRL2, ELAGSEKRF5, ELAGSEKSL3
Activities: Read about forensic scientists in Civic Square. Discuss their contributions.
Differentiation: K-2 create a simple definition chart; 3-5 write a summary of forensic jobs.

Lesson 2: Forensic Techniques

GSE Standards: ELAGSE1RI3, ELAGSE2RI4
Activities: Introduce fingerprinting and its significance.
Differentiation: K-2 make fingerprint art; 3-5 examine fingerprint classification techniques.

Lesson 3: Math and Forensic Analysis

GSE Standards: ELAGSE2OA3 ELAGSE3MD4
Activities: Explore patterns and statistics in crime data.
Differentiation: K-2 use simple graphs; 3-5 analyze sample crime data for trends.

Lesson 4: Constructing a Forensic Lab

GSE Standards: ELAGSE3M5, ELAGSE4M4
Activities: STEM Builder's Blueprint: Construct a forensic science lab.
Differentiation: K-2 focus on equipment use; 3-5 design labs with specified functions.

Lesson 5: Community Investigation Simulation

GSE Standards: ELAGSE5W3, ELAGSE5S6
Activities: Conduct a mock investigation and present findings.
Differentiation: K-2 gather evidence through guided discussion; 3-5 complete investigations with detailed reports.

Monthly Conclusion Wrap-Up

By the end of the month, students will have applied reading, writing, grammar, and math skills through role-playing as civic helpers and community investigators. They will complete service-based projects and document real-world events, compiling their experiences in weekly journals with checklists and learning guides. The final presentation will include a community safety expo, case investigations, or civic simulations. Students will reflect on the concepts of problem-solving, responsibility, and teamwork, culminating in a deeper understanding of community functioning.

This course plan ensures a well-rounded educational experience integrating core subjects while engaging students in meaningful real-world applications.