ESSENTIAL WORKERS INQUIRY

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Make a plan to show gratitude to a community helper

Paper or notebook
Pencil, pen, or other writing tool
THIS WEEK

We’re thinking about the question: “How can we show gratitude to essential workers and helpers in our community?”
Your challenge this week is to create an “Expression of Gratitude” to honor a community helper and their important work.
DAY 2 ACTIVITY
Expressing Gratitude
15-20 Minutes

Let’s listen to the story of a community helper to learn about their important role. As you listen, think about these questions:
What was this person’s job?
How did this person help their community?
What would you thank this person for doing?
This is a story about Pura Belpré.
She was the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City.
She was a wonderful storyteller and loved sharing stories about her family in Puerto Rico.
She started many programs and brought a lot of books in Spanish to the library to make it a place that even more people could enjoy.
Now, can you answer these questions?
What was Pura Belpré’s job?
How did she help her community?
Did you think of a way that you would show gratitude to Pura Belpré?
Let’s look at some examples of how people across the country are thanking their community helpers. Ask yourself:
Who are they thanking?
What are they doing to thank community helpers? Why are they thanking this helper?

Look back at your list of community helpers. Could you imagine doing something to thank them?

Your challenge this week is to create an “Expression of Gratitude” to honor a community helper and their important work.
Today, you get to make your plan to thank a community helper!
On a piece of paper, create a plan for how you will show gratitude this week (or use the “Showing Gratitude Plan” handout if you like).
Use the information below to help you make your plan.
The helper I would like to honor is ____________________________________.
This person is helping my community by ____________________________________.
This helper’s job is important because ____________________________________.
I would like to thank this helper by:
Making a card
Making a sign or poster
Writing a song or poem
Other idea: ____________________________________
Create a sketch of your plan.
Remember to save your plan! You’ll use it to create your final “Expression of Gratitude.”
Watch the “Curious Kids - Careers” video to learn more about different jobs that people have.
Think about how these different jobs help their communities.