Introduction

National Standards:

Production, Distribution & Consumption

e. describe how we depend on workers with specialized jobs and the ways in which they contribute to the production and exchange of goods and services.

Individuals, Groups, & Institutions

g. show how groups and institutions work to meet individual needs and promot the common good.



Remember the tragedy of September 11, 2001? It was an awful day for our country and communities! With the help of many community helpers, our country has pulled through. Let's pretend that you are a community helper that was sent out that horrible day. What will you do? How will you help? Hurry - there's no time to waste!


Pre-requisite - Our local guard, 877th Eng. Battalion, are currently serving our country in Iraq. Many of my students have family and friends that are serving. So we have talked about the events of September 11 and the events that have led to our local guard being involved.

The Quest

If you were one of the community helpers present on the day of September 11, 2001, what would have done to help?

The Process and Resources

1) First, you will be assigned to a team of 3 students and 1 adult helper.
2) You will be assigned one of the following community helpers: Police Officer, Fire Fighter, Paramedic or Doctor
3) You will search the following links on your assigned helper. Look for information or pictures that tell you what your community helper does and what equipment they use.
4) After learning about your helper, your group will make a poster about your assigned helper. You will use crayons, markers, magazine pictures, and art supplies.
5) Your group will present the poster to the class and each member of the group must state something they have learned.

Phase 1 - Background: Something for Everyone

Use the Internet information linked below to answer the basic questions of who? what? where? when? why? and how? Be creative in exploring the information so that you answer these questions as fully and insightfully as you can.

Phase 2 - Looking Deeper from Different Perspectives

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. As you search the websites, make notes so that you will remember the following information:
a. What is the job of the helper?
b. What vehicle (car or truck) is used by the helper?
c. Does the helper wear a uniform?
d. What equipment is needed for this job?

Police Officer

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Police Officer:

1.

• What does a police officer do? - This site gives a brief description of a police officer and the job they do.
• Do you want to meet and hear a police officer? - This site shows pictures and has audio to accompany the pictures of a police officer.
• Let's look at a police car and hear some sounds it makes. - This site has audio and shows a picture of a police car.

Fire Fighter

• What does a fire fighter do? - This site gives a brief description of a fire fighter.
• Do you want to meet and hear a fire fighter? - This site has audio and pictures of a fire fighter.
• Let's find out about the parts of a fire truck! - Just click on a part of the truck to find out what it is.
• There are many different types of trucks that can be used. - This site shows pictures of the different types of trucks used to fight fires.

Paramedic / EMT

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Paramedic / EMT:

1.

• What is a paramedic and what do they do? - This site will describe the job of a paramedic/emt.
• Click on these ambulance pictures to find out about the equipment. - This site shows pictures of an ambulance and its equipment.
• View pictures of paramedics in action. - Action shots of paramedics
• A picture of paramedics and their vehicles. - One large picture of paramedics, ambulance & helicopter.

Doctor

• What does a doctor do? - This site gives a brief description of a doctor's job.
• Let's meet and listen to a doctor! - This site has audio and pictures describing what a doctor does.

Phase 3 - Debating, Discussing, and Reaching Consensus

Now that you have learned about your community helper, pretend that you are that helper and draw a picture showing how you would have helped the people in need on September 11, 2001. You may write or dictate about your picture. Be sure to include what you would be wearing and the equipment that you would be using. You will share your ideas with the class.

Phase 4 - Real World Feedback

Your Contact is: the designated contact

Conclusion

Many community helpers helped in the tragic events of September 11th. These were just a few. Community helpers are important in everyday life, too. We see how important each job is and we see that we can all help. When you grow up, which community helper do you want to be?


Evaluation:

Section I: Group Work
0 points - Gives little to no help on the poster and can't get along with group members
3 points - The students helps some on the poster, but spends time fooling around.
5 points - The student participates on the poster and gets along well with group members.

Section II: Oral Presentation
0 points - The student just states the name of the Community Helper
3 points - The student states the name of the helper and one detail
5 points - The student gives a detailed description of their community helper, job, and equipment used.

Section III: Individual Drawing
0 points - The student draws a stick figure with no details
3 points - The student draws a moderately neat and organized picture. Details are included, but not complete.
5 points - The student draws an original creative and detailed community helper picture. It includes equipment needed for the job.