Help a Neighbor: Groceries, Yard, and Pets
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What you will learn
- 1Name ways to help a neighbor your family knows
- 2Get a grown-up’s OK and agree on the job before you help
- 3Follow good habits when you carry groceries, work in a yard or care for a pet
- 4Explain what to do when something goes wrong on a job
- 5Show you are reliable by doing what you said, when you said
Mini Lesson
Good neighbors look out for each other. A neighbor might have heavy bags, a yard full of leaves, or a pet that needs feeding while they are away. Helping is a kind thing to do, and you do not need to be paid for it. In Grade 5 you learned to earn money with small jobs - this lesson is about helping because you care. Every job still starts with your grown-up’s OK.
🏠 The Life Skills Way (step by step)
- GROWN-UP’S OK FIRST: only help neighbors your family knows. Your grown-up says yes to the job and always knows where you are.
- AGREE ON THE JOB: before you start, agree on exactly what you will do, on which day, and for how long. Write it down.
- GROCERIES: carry the bags from the car to the front door. Do not go inside unless your grown-up has said you can.
- YARD: rake leaves, sweep a path or water plants. Ask which plants need water and how much, and put tools back where they belong.
- PETS: feed or walk only a pet the neighbor and your grown-up agreed on. Learn its routine, keep the leash on the whole time, and wash your hands after.
- MONEY: you do not need to be paid. If a neighbor offers money, your grown-up and the neighbor agree on a small amount, or none.
⭐ Be Someone People Can Count On
- SHOW UP: come on the day and time you agreed. If you cannot, tell your grown-up so they can let the neighbor know.
- FINISH THE JOB: do the whole job, then tidy up after yourself.
- IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG: a pet slips out, a plant looks sick, or something breaks - stay calm and call your grown-up right away.
- BE POLITE: say hello, listen to the neighbor’s instructions, and say goodbye when you leave.
Your grown-up says OK to every job and always knows where you are and when you will be back. Only help people your family knows well. Never go into a home unless your grown-up has agreed. Do not walk a dog that is too big or strong for you to hold. If a pet is hurt, gets loose, or acts in a scary way, step back and call your grown-up.
Words to know
neighbor
A person who lives near you.
e.g. Our neighbor across the street asked for help with her groceries.
permission
When a grown-up says yes, you may do something.
e.g. I got my grown-up’s permission before I raked the leaves.
routine
The same steps done at the same times each day.
e.g. The cat’s routine is food at 8 and fresh water at 5.
leash
A strap or cord that clips to a dog’s collar so you can hold it.
e.g. I kept the leash on the whole walk.
reliable
Doing what you said you would do, when you said you would do it.
e.g. Being reliable means the neighbor can count on me.
kindness
Being friendly and helpful without expecting anything back.
e.g. Watering the plants was an act of kindness.
💡 Handy Tip: when you care for a pet or plants, ask the neighbor to write a short note: what to feed, how much, when, and a phone number to call. Keep the note with you on every visit.
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