Publisher Story Summary: William Wegman’s famous dogs are at work again. This time the hijinks begin in the classroom. Chip is a nervous wreck. His school report is due tomorrow, and he doesn’t have a topic yet! Right after school with camera in-hand, he heads for town looking for inspiration. A policeman, a postal worker, a mechanic, a doctor, and other folks around town offer him all sorts of sound advice on getting his report in. But when he arrives home, Chip still doesn’t know what to write about. And then he has a bright idea!

William Wegman’s world-famous Weimaraners have appeared in his books ABC; Cinderella; Little Red Riding Hood; 1, 2, 3; Triangle, Square, Circle; Mother Goose; and Farm Days; as well his New York Times bestseller Puppies. His photographs, videotapes, paintings, and drawings have been exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide. In addition to video segments broadcast on Sesame Street, he has created films and video works for Saturday Night Live and Nickelodeon..

LESSON: MY TOWN

Lesson Summary

Chip is having trouble deciding on a topic for a school report. After seeking advice from many community workers, he decided to make a photo report of his town.

Concept: Goods and Services

Definition: A good is an object people want that they can touch or hold. A service is an action that a person does for someone else.

Comprehension Questions

Identify the community workers in the story who provide a service. Describe the service provided by each. 
Answers may vary:

• school bus driver - drives students to school
• teacher - teaches lessons
• librarian - helps locate books
• coach - motivates students
• art teacher - teaches creative ideas
• police officer - keeps the community safe
• photo store owner - sells photo goods
• mail carrier - delivers mail
• fire chief - puts out fires
• auto mechanic - repairs cars
• construction foreman - organizes building projects
• beautician - cuts and styles hair
• grocery clerk - stocks shelves
• cashier - totals purchases
• doctor - helps people get well

In the story, which services are provided by government? By private businesses? 
Government - bus driver, teacher, librarian, coach, art teacher, police officer, mail carrier, fireman; Private - auto mechanic, beautician, photographer, cashier, doctor.

Identify two community workers who sell goods.
Answers may vary - supermarket clerk, photo storeowner, etc.

Identify two community workers who provide goods and services.
Answers may vary - construction foreman, librarian, etc.

Other Concepts:  Specialization, Interdependence

  Good and Services