Exploring Our World: Communities Big and Small

Social Studies Grades 1st Grade 4:15 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn about the different types of communities where people live, from busy cities to quiet farmlands!

Video Resource

Your Community | Types of Community - Social Studies for Kids | Kids Academy

Kids Academy

Duration: 4:15
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Community
  • Urban Community
  • Suburban Community
  • Rural Community

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to define the term 'community'.
  • Students will be able to identify and describe the characteristics of urban, suburban, and rural communities.
  • Students will be able to compare and contrast the three types of communities.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what a 'community' means to them. Write their ideas on the board. Introduce the video and explain that it will teach them about different types of communities.
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Play the 'Your Community | Types of Community' video from Kids Academy. Encourage students to pay attention to the different types of communities discussed.
  • Discussion (5 mins)
    After the video, review the three types of communities (urban, suburban, rural). Ask students to describe what they remember about each.
  • Activity: Community Sorting (10 mins)
    Provide pictures of different community scenes (e.g., skyscrapers, houses with yards, farms). Have students sort the pictures into the correct community type (urban, suburban, or rural).
  • Wrap-up (3 mins)
    Review the main points of the lesson. Ask students which type of community they live in and why they like it.

Interactive Exercises

  • Community Drawing
    Have each student draw a picture of their community. Encourage them to include details that show what type of community it is.
  • Community Collage
    Provide magazines and newspapers. Have students cut out pictures that represent different types of communities and create a collage.

Discussion Questions

  • What does it mean to live in a community?
  • What are some things you see in your community?
  • What are some good things about living in your community?
  • Which type of community did you like most?

Skills Developed

  • Observation
  • Classification
  • Comparison
  • Critical Thinking

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What is a community?

Correct Answer: A place where people live together

Question 2:

Which community has lots of tall buildings and traffic?

Correct Answer: Urban

Question 3:

New York City is an example of what type of community?

Correct Answer: Urban

Question 4:

Which community is located near a city but not as busy?

Correct Answer: Suburban

Question 5:

What is it called when people travel to work in a city from a community nearby?

Correct Answer: Commuting

Question 6:

Which community has lots of farms and nature?

Correct Answer: Rural

Question 7:

In what community do people live far apart from each other?

Correct Answer: Rural

Question 8:

What kind of community has big houses with backyards and garages?

Correct Answer: Suburban

Question 9:

If you see lots of skyscrapers, you are probably in a(n) ________ community.

Correct Answer: Urban

Question 10:

Where do people live close together in apartments?

Correct Answer: Urban

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

A ________ is a place where people live together.

Correct Answer: community

Question 2:

A big and busy community is called ________.

Correct Answer: urban

Question 3:

A ________ community is near a city but not as busy.

Correct Answer: suburban

Question 4:

A quiet community with lots of farms is called ________.

Correct Answer: rural

Question 5:

New York City is a big ________ community.

Correct Answer: urban

Question 6:

Traveling to work in a city is called ________.

Correct Answer: commuting

Question 7:

Houses in the ________ community are spaced far apart.

Correct Answer: rural

Question 8:

A ________ community has less traffic.

Correct Answer: suburban

Question 9:

A farmland is mostly in the ________ community.

Correct Answer: rural

Question 10:

Tall buildings are in the ________ community.

Correct Answer: urban

Educational Standards

SOC.1.1.2.4:Compare the features of urban and rural communities. SOC.1.1.1.1:Describe the need for written laws and the main purpose of government, including the concept of consequences for one’s actions when a law or rule is violated. SOC.1.1.2.5:Describe community customs and traditions as basic elements of culture.

Teaching Materials

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