My Community: The People and Places Around Me
What You'll Learn
In this lesson you will: • Learn what a community is • Name people who help us in our community • Find important places in a neighborhood • Draw a map of your own community
What Is a Community?
A community is a group of people who live near each other and help each other. Your street, your neighborhood, your town — these are all communities. The people in your community might speak different languages, eat different foods, and celebrate different holidays. But they all share the same parks, schools, and stores. Communities come in different sizes. A small town might have 500 people. A big city like New York has over 8 million people. They are both communities!
Close your eyes and picture the street where you live. Who are your neighbors? What buildings do you walk past? Those people and places are part of your community.
People Who Help Our Community
Many people work every day to keep our community safe and running smoothly. Firefighters put out fires and help people who are hurt. Police officers keep streets safe. Doctors and nurses help people who are sick. Teachers help children learn. Mail carriers deliver letters and packages. Garbage collectors pick up trash so neighborhoods stay clean. Store owners sell food and things we need. All of these workers are called community helpers. Each one does a special job that makes life better for everyone around them.
Flashcards — click each card to reveal the answer
Important Places in a Community
Communities have special places where people go for different reasons. A school is where children learn. A library is where people borrow books for free. A fire station is where firefighters and their trucks are ready to help. A hospital is where doctors help sick or hurt people. A grocery store is where families buy food. A park is where people can play, walk, and rest outside. Can you think of which of these places you have visited? Most children have been to a school, a store, and a park before they are even five years old!
Match each community helper to the place where they work.
Terms
Definitions
Drag terms onto their definitions, or click a term then click a definition to match.
What is a community?
Which community helper picks up trash to keep the neighborhood clean?
Draw Your Community Map
Get a piece of paper and crayons. 1. Draw a big rectangle in the middle — that is YOUR home. 2. Draw roads going left, right, up, and down from your home. 3. Add at least 3 buildings you know near your home. They can be a school, a store, a library, a park, a friend's house, or anything else. 4. Label each building. Ask a grown-up to help spell the words if you need it. 5. Draw one community helper walking or driving near a building where they work. Share your map and tell someone in your family: This is my community! Tell them about one person in your community who helps you.
Want to keep learning?
Sign up for free to access the full curriculum — all subjects, all ages.
Start Learning Free