Sail into Careers
Books to Share
- Carlo and the Really Nice Librarian by Jessica Spanyol.
- I Stink! by Kate McMullan.
- Martin’s Hats by Joan W. Blos.
- Molly at the Dentist by Angie Sage.
- No Haircut Today! by Elivia Savadier.
- Policeman Lou and Policewoman Sue by Lisa Desimini.
Books to Show or Booktalk
- Firefighter Frank by Monica Wellington.
- Freddie Visits the Dentist by Nicola Smee.
- The Little School Bus by Carol Roth.
- Miss Bindergarten Has a Wild Day in Kindergarten by Joseph Slate.
- Pig Pig Gets a Job by David McPhail.
Bulletin Board
Special Deliveries!
Create a scene of a postal worker delivering books into a mailbox. Cover a small box with construction paper to make the mailbox. Books can be hand-drawn or use book jackets.
Nametags
I’ve Got Mail!
Use envelopes or die-cut envelopes as nametags. Place a sticker on the corner of the envelope for a pretend stamp. Borrow or make a mailbag and pull out the envelopes to give the children their nametags.
Displays
When I Grow Up!
Display books, videos, DVDs, and musical recordings about firefighters, police officers, veterinarians, dentists, librarians, and other community helpers along with items that these people use in their jobs. Ask friends or staff members for items to borrow to display or purchase toy items from educational materials suppliers.
Refreshments
Fire Truck Crackers
(Use the ‘Fire Truck Cracker’ recipe in the “Sail, Ride, Drive & Fly” program in the Toddler Programs Chapter of this manual. The refreshment can also be used as a craft by having the children assemble their own fire truck crackers.)
Fingerplays
Ten Little Firefighters
(Traditional, adapted by Debbie Brightwell Brown.)
Ten little firefighters, (Show ten fingers)
Sleeping all in a row. (Tilt head on hands)
Ding-dong clangs the bell, (Pull pretend cord)
And down the pole they go. (Pretend to go down a pole)
Off on the fire engine, oh, oh, oh. (Steer wheel back and forth quickly)
Using the fire hose, so, so, so. (Pretend to use hose)
When the fire is out, back home so-oh slow. (Steer wheel slowly)
Back in their beds, all in a row. (Head on hands as if sleeping)
Songs
I’m a Helper
(By Debbie Brightwell Brown. Sing to the tune of “Where Is Thumbkin.” Distribute a variety of small toys to the children to throw into a toy box. Repeat song until all children throw toys into the box.)
I’m a helper. I’m a helper.
Yes, I am. Yes, I am.
My toys go in the toy box.
My toys go in the toy box.
Everyday. Everyday.
Audio Recordings
“Safety Signs” on Learning Basic Skills through Music Vocabulary by Hap Palmer.
Puppet Plays
“Doggie Policeman” from Stories to Play With by Hiroko Fujita.
Perform “The Fisherman and His Wife” or “Little Frog’s Big Trip” by Barrie Teague Alguire in the puppet plays section of this manual.
Stories to Tell
Martin’s Hats
Either read Martin’s Hats by Joan W. Blos or adapt it into a story to tell. Have a basket or bag with an assortment of hats similar to the hats that Martin wears in the book. As you read or tell the story, put a different hat on your head or on the head of a child from the audience. If you cannot collect enough hats from friends and co-workers, companies like Childcraft, www.childcraft.com, sell inexpensive sets.
Crafts
Doctor Kit
Materials
- Black construction paper
- Cotton balls
- Q-Tips
- Band-aids
- Craft sticks
- Glue sticks or stapler
Directions
In advance, fold a sheet of construction paper and staple the two sides, leaving the top open. Cut a strip of black construction paper to make the handle of the doctor’s bag. Glue or staple the handle to the bag. Fill the bag with medical supplies, such as cotton balls, Q-tips, band-aids, craft sticks, etc.
Firefighter Hat
Materials
- Red and yellow construction paper
- Glue sticks
- Crayons or markers
Directions
Use the firefighter hat pattern provided to cut hats from red construction paper. Cut out a badge or star shape from yellow paper or use a die-cut badge. Glue the yellow badge or star to the inside flap of the hat. Write the child’s name on the hat and then decorate it with crayons or markers. Fold up the inside flap of the hat and put it on the child’s head. Check with your local fire department to see if they have sticker badges that could be used for a more realistic-looking badge.
Videos/DVDs/Films
If you have public performance rights, show these videos and DVDs, or segments of them, to the children. Otherwise, display them for home use. Times are indicated for the entire film.
- Doctor De Soto. (10 minutes)
- Richard Scarry's Best Busy People Video Ever! (30 minutes)
- Sesame Street Visits the Firehouse. (30 minutes)
Professional Resources
Childcraft
www.childcraft.com
This online store sells educational toys and supplies.
Stories to Play With by Hiroko Fujita.
