Community Helpers Data Collection

One of our topic studies was on Community Helpers.  We discussed the importance of each individual in our Community.  A "job" that the students were interested in was a news reporter.  We talked about the dimensions of a reporters job and how they collect and organize data.
To create a center for a news reporter we set up clip boards with pencils attached as well, we had different choices of data for the reporter to collect.
Before the news reporters went to collect their information, we discussed appropriate language to use when you are asking for data.  Some appropriate language we brainstormed were:
1)  To ask for permission to administer the survey.
2)  To tell the participant what the survey is about.
3)  To remember to use manners and be patient.

The students then choose a topic and started their data collection.