Labor Day Lesson
By Caroline Wyman
Objective : The students will be able to understand the meaning of Labor day and why it is an important day. Grades K-2
Initiation: Read a story that has a character with a job. A policeman, a doctor, a fireman, a construction worker, a baker... The Richard Scarry books illustrates these jobs and more very well. Show the picture book if you prefer and discuss the occupations as you chart their ideas.
Development: After discussing their parent's jobs and charting them, explain that Labor Day is a special day for everyone who works. Let them know that a lot of people have the day off to celebrate their jobs, but that some people have jobs that they cannot have a day off from. See if they can come up with some jobs that are necessary every day of the year. After the discussion and charting and grouping the jobs with connections to each other, explain that you want each student to go home and "interview'' their parents and find out what their job entails and why it is important. Have them also bring into class in a brown paper bag that you supply, a tool that represents their parent's job. ( A stethoscope, a hard hat, a calculator...) The children will be very excited to tell about their parent's tool!
Closure: Have an open invitation for any parents to come in and discuss their job with the class.
Materials: Occupation book, brown paper bag
Time: 20min./ presentations 20min.
Caroline Wyman has a degree in Sociology and a Masters in Elementary Education and is the administrator for TeacherNet.com.