This activity teaches children that every person and job within a community is important. Each child gets a role such as bread maker or doctor and a few play dollars. Small cards with their services written on them can be passed out to others by the children. The children must provide services within their role and barter their services to others if they run out of money. For example, a child assigned to be the butcher who needs bread will barter their meat for a loaf of bread. Let children play for about 30 minutes and discuss the activity after the game.
Fire stations, city halls, food banks and libraries all love to host children and take the opportunity to educate them on the services they provide. Let the children work the fire hose or pull the firetruck horn. If possible, take the students to a session of Congress in your state or a city council meeting held during the day. Librarians also love to talk about what they do and how reading programs positively effect the community.
Reading a story to a blind person or making a card for a nursing home resident gives a child a sense of pride. Reward children that do five or 10 good deeds in a month with a pizza party or bowling trip. Parents can sign a slip providing information on the good deed. Just to be sure that children understand good deeds won't always get rewarded in real life. Discuss how sense of purpose can be a reward in itself.
Assign the task of creating a model of a community by using household items such as tongue depressors, cotton balls and cardboard boxes. Children should focus on the layout and make sure they create streets and buildings that are clearly labeled. Children should present this community in class and explain why they arranged the community a certain way. For example, they can explain why the police station may be near the fire station. This activity can be achieved individually or within a team.