Reading About People Who Help Us

Every day, many people work hard to keep our community safe, healthy, and running well. These people are called community helpers. Nonfiction texts about jobs often describe what the person does, where they work, and what tools they use.

How to read a nonfiction text about people

• Look for the job title — the name of the role (e.g. doctor, teacher, firefighter).
• Look for the action words — what they do (e.g. teaches, treats, puts out).
• Look for the place — where they work (e.g. school, hospital, fire station).
• Look for the tools or equipment — what they use (e.g. stethoscope, hose, books).

Community helpers to know

• Doctor — treats sick and injured people in a hospital or clinic.
• Teacher — helps children learn to read, write, and think at school.
• Firefighter — puts out fires and rescues people in danger.
• Police officer — keeps people safe and enforces the law.
• Paramedic — gives first aid and takes people to hospital in an ambulance.
• Builder — constructs homes, schools, and other buildings.
• Farmer — grows food and cares for animals on a farm.
• Dentist — cares for teeth and gums, checks for cavities.
• Mail carrier — delivers letters and parcels to homes and businesses.