Citizenship: Duties, Rights, and Liberties
Session 6: Community Service

Materials

• Student essays
• Computer with Internet access

Instructional Activities

NOTE: The following Web sites may be useful to teachers and students during a study of community service:
•    American Promise. Farmers Insurance Group. <http://www.farmers.com/FarmComm/AmericanPromise/>
•    Corporation for National and Community Service.
<http://www.nationalservice.org>

1. Begin class by asking students to read their essays on the most important responsibility.
   
   
2. Brainstorm a definition of community service.
   
   
3. Lecture and give notes on ways for citizens to participate in community service:
   •    Volunteer to support democratic institutions (e.g., League of Women Voters).
   •    Express concern about the welfare of the community as a whole (e.g., environment, public health and safety, education).
   •    Help to make the community a good place to work and live (e.g., by becoming involved with public service organizations, tutoring, volunteering).
   
   
4. Explain that a democratic society requires the active participation of its citizens. Therefore, your class is going to do a community service project.
   
   
5. For homework, have students look around the community and make a list of things they feel need doing. Bring the list to class.