Responsibilities of Citizenship
Session 5: United as Americans by Common Principles and Traditions

Materials

• Teacher-selected book to the students about Independence Day (Fourth of July)
• Activity sheet handouts (1 each per student)
  - Attachment A: Principles and Traditions That Unite People as Americans
  - Attachment B: Answer Key for Principles and Traditions That Unite People as Americans
  - Attachment C: People of Diverse Ethnic Origins, Customs, and Traditions Are United as Americans
  - Attachment D: Answer Key for People of Diverse Ethnic Origins, Customs, and Traditions Are United as Americans
  - Attachment E: Understanding Common Principles and Traditions
  - Attachment F: Answer Key for Understanding Common Principles and Traditions

Instructional Activities

1. Review that the United States is a land of people who have diverse ethnic origins, customs, and traditions and who contribute to their community by practicing the responsibilities of being good citizens.
   
   
2. Help students understand that Americans are a people of diverse ethnic origins, customs and traditions who are united as Americans by common principles and traditions. Point out that this is also true for people in the community.
   
   
3. Review the common principles and traditions that unite people in our communities, such as celebrating Independence Day (Fourth of July) and pledging allegiance to the American flag.
   
   
4. Show students pictures of Independence Day (Fourth of July) celebrations as a means of reviewing America’s birthday. See the following Web site to locate Arts and Crafts, Activities and Ideas, WebQuests, Songs and Poems, and Resource Sites about Independence Day (Fourth of July): <http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/themes/july4th.shtml> 
   
   
5. Review the class birthday chart, and allow students to tell ways in which they celebrate their birthdays. While reviewing each month, remind the July birthday students that they share their month with another special birthday. Independence Day (Fourth of July) is the day that we celebrate the birth of our country. The events surrounding our country’s separation from England ending with the Declaration of Independence all contributed to the celebration of Independence Day (Fourth of July).
   
   
6. Read a teacher-selected book to the students about Independence Day (Fourth of July). Have students talk about ways they celebrate Independence Day (Fourth of July) with their families.
   
   
7. Display the American flag. Discuss that the flag is a symbol of the United States of America. When people see this flag, they know it represents America. Ask how we show respect for this symbol. Discuss the Pledge of Allegiance. Information about the flag of the United States is located at the following Web site: <http://www.usflag.org/toc.html>
   
   
8. Recite the Pledge of Allegiance, pointing to the words on the chart. Remind students that this is a tradition. Review the definition of tradition (a custom or belief that happens over a long period of time).    To find a history of the Pledge of Allegiance, see the following Web site: <http://www.flagday.org/Pages/StoryofPledge.html>
   
   
9. Review the following from Grade One:
   - A pledge is a promise.
   - Allegiance means loyalty.
   - The word republic means a country with elected leaders.
   - The word nation means one country.
   - Indivisible means we cannot be divided.
   - Liberty means freedom.
   
   
10. Have students draw pictures to represent some of the common principles and traditions that unite Americans and complete the activity sheet Understanding Common Principles and Traditions (Attachment E).
    
    
11. Have students complete The Principles and Traditions that Unite People as Americans activity sheet (Attachment A).
    
    
12. Have students complete the People of Diverse Ethnic Origins, Customs, and Traditions Are United as Americans activity sheet (Attachment C).