Objectives  Identify letters and letter sounds; learn and sort words based on initial

Teaching Guide
sound; describe the different kinds of jobs that people have and what they involve
ABC’s of Jobs
Materials  construction paper, markers or colored pencils, adhesive tape, scissors,
clothing, and miscellaneous props

30 minutes, Days 1–3

Build Background
Activate Prior Knowledge  Tell children: Today, you will learn about different
kinds of jobs that people have, like carpenters, doctors, and farmers. Ask children what
they want to be when they grow up. Ask them to draw a picture of themselves
working in their profession of choice and discuss the drawings as a class.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Why? What are you doing in this picture?
Encourage children to write the name of the job they chose on their drawings
and to label them.

Introduce the Focus Skill: Letter Sounds  Explain that each job name
in the book begins with a different letter of the alphabet. Review letters and
sounds using the following routine: This is the letter (Aa). It makes the sound
(/a/) like in (astronaut). Point to (astronaut) on (p. 4). Then have children repeat
the following as you emphasize the (/a/) sound: (Anna wants to be an astronaut).
You may wish to use this routine throughout the week to review sounds that children have difficulty with.

Acquire New Vocabulary  Introduce the New Words on p. 33. Read each word aloud and use it in a sentence, emphasizing
the initial letter sound in the key word. For example, say: It rains a lot in the jungle. Then play “Find That Word!” as a class. Have
partners flip through the book and ask them to find all of the New Words and write down the corresponding page number for each
one. The pair that finds the most words first wins! Then review the words children wrote and discuss their definitions as a class.

Read and Respond  Display the book. Read the title and author name aloud as you track the print. After reading each page,
point to the letter and say the job name. Have children repeat. Then ask children to use describing words to talk about what each
job entails. Encourage them to use the new words they learned. For example, after reading pp. 5–6, say: Bakers bake enormous cakes.
Carpenters use tools to make gorgeous cabinets. Have children write sentences about 5 of the jobs in the book. Tell them to use as many of
the new words in their sentences as possible. For example: Explorers explore jungles. Veterinarians vaccinate animals. Then discuss how
people in different professions interact with one another, and what types of jobs fall under the same categories. For example: Doctors and
nurses work together in hospitals. Reporters report on what police officers do. Quarterbacks, swimmers, and windsurfers play sports.

60 minutes, Days 4–5

˛ Curricular Enrichment: Social Studies  Explain to children that tomorrow will be “Career Day.” They will
role-play the job of their choice. First, they will read the Fun Facts on pp. 34–39 and think about what they want to be when
SOCIAL
STUDIES
they grow up. Then they will find out what people who have that job do and what they wear. You may want to provide access
to a computer for children to conduct additional research. Tell children they will dress up like someone who does their job.
They can borrow a uniform or clothing from home, wear a Halloween costume, or use any other props. On Career Day,
distribute construction paper, markers or colored pencils, adhesive tape, and scissors for children to add finishing touches to
their costumes. Before beginning the role-play, ask the class to guess what each profession is. Then encourage children to role-
play by setting the scene. For example, say: I got hurt on the playground. Who can help me? (The child who role-plays the doctor answers: I
can. I’m a doctor.) Discuss the jobs and their similarities and differences as a class.

Home Connection  (Teacher, you may want to photocopy this
activity for children to complete with a family member.)
Talk with your child about the jobs he/she learned about.
Discuss your job with your child. For example: I’m a hairdresser.
I cut people’s hair for a living. Encourage him/her to ask you about
what your job involves and why you chose that profession.
Then ask your child to tell you what he or she wants to be
when he/she grows up and why.
NATIONAL STANDARDS
Language Arts: K-12.1—K-12.12
Mathematics: Numbers PK-2.1; Algebra PK-2.1, PK-2.3; Geometry PK-2.1, PK-2.2; PK-2.4
Measurement PK-2.1, PK-2.2; Data & Analysis PK-2.1; PK-2.3; Connections PK-12.3
Representations PK-12.3
Science: K-4.1, K-4.2, K-4.5, K-4.6, K-4.7
Social Studies: Civics: K-4.1, K-4.5; Economics: K-4.4, K-4.5, K-4.6, K-4.11, K-4.13, K-4.14, K-4.15
Geography: K-12.1, K-12.4, K-12.5; U.S. History: K-4.1, K-4.3, K-4.4
Visual Arts: K-4.1, K-4.2, K-4.3
Theater: K-4.1, K-4.2, K-4.3, K-4.4, K-4.5
Technology: K-12.1, K-12.2, K-12.3, K-12.4, K-12.5, K-12.6

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