Course Plan: Community & Public Services
Course Overview
This four-week course for a multi-age homeschool group (grades K–5) focuses on the theme of Community & Public Services. Utilizing the mentor text Civic Square: The Grand Opening, students will engage in reading, writing, grammar, and math activities centered on various civic roles. Each week will highlight a specific profession and incorporate real-world tasks through hands-on roleplay and project-based learning.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, students will:
- Apply reading, writing, grammar, and math skills within the context of civic responsibilities.
- Participate in service-based projects and simulations.
- Reflect on teamwork, problem-solving, and community dynamics.
Monthly Conclusion Wrap-Up
Students will document their learning through weekly journals, completed checklists, and a final presentation such as a community safety expo or civic simulation.
Weekly Breakdown
Week 1: Postal Workers
Lesson 1: Introduction to Postal Services
- Objective: Understand the role of postal workers in the community.
- Activity: Read a chapter from Civic Square and discuss the services provided by postal workers.
- GSE Standards: GSE ELA.K.RI.1
Lesson 2: Letter Writing
- Objective: Compose a letter to a friend or family member.
- Activity: K-2 write a simple letter; 3-5 include address formats and proper grammar.
- GSE Standards: GSE ELA.K.W.1
Lesson 3: Math at the Post Office
- Objective: Calculate postage.
- Activity: K-2 practice counting coins; 3-5 calculate postage and create price charts.
- GSE Standards: GSE Math.K.NBT.4
Lesson 4: Role Play: Mail Delivery
- Objective: Simulate the mail delivery process.
- Activity: Set up a mail route and deliver letters within a designated area.
- GSE Standards: GSE ELA.K.SL.1
Lesson 5: STEM Builder's Blueprint
- Objective: Build a post office in Minecraft.
- Activity: Design and construct a post office.
- GSE Standards: GSE Math.K. G.1
Week 2: Fire Careers
Lesson 6: Understanding Fire Safety
- Objective: Learn about fire safety and the role of firefighters.
- Activity: Read about firefighters in Civic Square and discuss fire safety tips.
- GSE Standards: GSE ELA.2.RI.2
Lesson 7: Write a Fire Safety Plan
- Objective: Draft a personal fire safety plan.
- Activity: K-2 draw their safety plan; 3-5 write a detailed plan.
- GSE Standards: GSE ELA.3.W.8
Lesson 8: Math in Firefighting
- Objective: Measure distances for safe evacuations.
- Activity: K-2 practice counting steps; 3-5 use a scale for planning routes.
- GSE Standards: GSE Math.3.MD.6
Lesson 9: Firefighter Simulation
- Objective: Roleplay as firefighters.
- Activity: Practice rescuing stuffed animals from a "fire" scenario.
- GSE Standards: GSE ELA.3.SL.1
Lesson 10: STEM Builder's Blueprint
- Objective: Create a fire station in Minecraft.
- Activity: Design and construct a fire station.
- GSE Standards: GSE Math.4.G.1
Week 3: Law Enforcement
Lesson 11: The Role of Police Officers
- Objective: Understand community safety and the role of police.
- Activity: Read excerpts from Civic Square and discuss community safety.
- GSE Standards: GSE ELA.1.RI.1
Lesson 12: Writing Police Reports
- Objective: Compose a simple report.
- Activity: K-2 write a short sentence; 3-5 write a paragraph.
- GSE Standards: GSE ELA.4.W.2
Lesson 13: Crime Scene Math
- Objective: Use math to investigate a "crime" scene.
- Activity: K-2 count objects; 3-5 measure and analyze data.
- GSE Standards: GSE Math.2.MD.5
Lesson 14: Role Play: Police Investigation
- Objective: Simulate investigating a mock crime.
- Activity: Set up a crime scene and have students roleplay as detectives.
- GSE Standards: GSE ELA.5.SL.2
Lesson 15: STEM Builder's Blueprint
- Objective: Create a police station in Minecraft.
- Activity: Design and build a police station.
- GSE Standards: GSE Math.4.G.1
Week 4: Forensic Science
Lesson 16: Introduction to Forensics
- Objective: Learn about the role of forensic scientists.
- Activity: Read a chapter from Civic Square about forensics.
- GSE Standards: GSE ELA.1.RI.3
Lesson 17: Writing a Forensic Report
- Objective: Create a forensic analysis report.
- Activity: K-2 describe a "mystery"; 3-5 write analysis details.
- GSE Standards: GSE ELA.5.W.3
Lesson 18: Forensic Math
- Objective: Solve math problems related to forensic evidence.
- Activity: K-2 simple calculations; 3-5 analyze data sets.
- GSE Standards: GSE Math.3.OA.4
Lesson 19: Role Play: Forensic Investigation
- Objective: Act as forensic scientists to solve a mystery.
- Activity: Analyze “evidence” and work together to solve the case.
- GSE Standards: GSE ELA.4.SL.1
Lesson 20: STEM Builder's Blueprint
- Objective: Build a forensic science lab in Minecraft.
- Activity: Design and create a forensic lab environment.
- GSE Standards: GSE Math.4.G.1
Conclusion
Throughout this course, students will develop a deeper understanding of community and public services while enhancing their literacy and math skills through engaging, hands-on activities and real-world roleplay. Each week builds progressively to foster teamwork, critical thinking, and civic engagement.