Responsibilities of Citizenship

Standard(s) of Learning

Content

Know that a good citizen has a variety of responsibilities that include the following:

• Respecting and protecting the rights and property of others
• Taking part in the voting process when making classroom decisions
• Describing actions that can improve the school and community
• Demonstrating self-discipline and self-reliance
• Practicing honesty and trustworthiness

Understand that the United States is a land of people who have diverse ethnic origins, customs, and traditions who contribute to their community by practicing the responsibilities of good citizens. 

Understand that Americans are a people of diverse ethnic origins, customs and traditions who are united as Americans by common principles and traditions.

Understand that people living in the United States who have diverse ethnic origins, customs, and traditions participate in and contribute to their communities.

Understand that people contribute to their community by practicing the responsibilities of being good citizens.

Understand that, while people in our communities have different ethnic and cultural origins, they are united as Americans by common principles and traditions.

Understand that people share the principles of respecting and protecting the rights and property of others, participating in school and community activities, demonstrating self-discipline and self-reliance, and practicing honesty and trustworthiness.    

Sample Resources

Below is an annotated list of Internet resources for this organizing topic. Copyright restrictions may exist for the material on some Web sites. Please note and abide by any such restrictions.

“American Independence Day: Fourth of July Theme.” A to Z Teacher Stuff Network. <http://atozteacherstuff.com/Themes/Independence_Day/>. This Web page offers arts and crafts, activities and ideas, WebQuests, songs and poems, and resource sites about Independence Day (Fourth of July). 

Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government for Kids: K–2. <http://bensguide.gpo.gov/k-2/index.html>. This is a Web site on U.S. government for kids with resources.

Center for Civic Education. <http://www.civiced.org>. The mission of the Center for Civic Education is to promote an enlightened and responsible citizenry committed to democratic principles and actively engaged in the practice of democracy in the United States and other countries.

Civnet: A website of Civitas International. <http://www.civnet.org/>. This Web site is an online resource and service for civic education practitioners (teachers, teacher trainers, curriculum designers). For Citizen’s Rights and Responsibilities: click on the resources section to find lesson plans and ideas.

The Flag of the United States. <http://www.usflag.org/toc.html>. This Web site features information about the American flag. 

 “Graphic Organizers.” Education Place. Houghton Mifflin. <http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/>. This Web page has a collection of graphic organizers. 

Proteacher. <http://www.proteacher.com/090035.shtml>. This Web site offers lessons on citizenship.

 “Teaching Citizenship’s Five Themes.” Education World. Education World, Inc.
<http://www.education-world.com/a_curr/curr008.shtml>. This Web page features activities from the editors of Weekly Reader that can help develop K–6 students' understanding of the five citizenship themes—honesty, compassion, respect, responsibility, and courage.