Center Activity: First Responders (K–2)

What you’ll do (hands-on)

1. Pick a card from the pile.

2. Read it (or have a partner/teacher read it).

3. Decide who helps and/or which tool matches.

4. Place the card on the correct mat:

   • Firefighter

   • Police Officer

   • Paramedic/EMT

5. When you finish sorting, complete the recording sheet questions below.

Materials to set up the center

• 3 labeled mats or bins: Firefighter / Police Officer / Paramedic-EMT

• Tool cards (examples): helmet, hose, fire truck, first-aid kit, ambulance, stethoscope, badge, radio, flashlight

• “Who helps?” scenario cards (examples): house fire, lost child, someone fainted, broken arm, stolen bike, car crash

• Safety word cards (examples): STOP, HELP, SAFE, DANGER, 911, EMERGENCY

Recording sheet directions

Complete the next questions in Formative:

• Match tools to the first responder.

• Sort who helps scenarios.

• Choose the best safety word for each sentence.

Differentiation (for mixed K–2)

• Kindergarten: Say the helper name and point to the mat. Use picture/word cards.

• 1st–2nd: Explain why you chose that helper using one sentence: “I chose ____ because ____.”