Materials

• Chart paper and markers
• Paper, pencils, and crayons
• Cut-out squares for classroom quilt

Instructional Activities

NOTE: The following Web resource may be helpful:
Learning Adventures in Citizenship: From New York to Your Town. <http://www.pbs.org/wnet/newyork/laic/>.

1. Read a teacher-selected book about a character that displays good citizenship in the story.
   
   
2. After reading the story, discuss with the students examples of how the character’s behavior was an example of being a good citizen. Look for examples such as the following:
   •     taking turns
   •    sharing
   •    completing classroom chores
   •    taking care of one’s things
   •    respecting what belongs to others
   •    being honest
   •    practicing self-control
   •    being kind to others.
   
   
3. Make a chart of the examples listed in number 2, and write the characters’ names in the appropriate category. Ensure that the students understand terms such as chores, respect, honesty, and self-control.
   
   
4. Discuss the examples of being a good citizen, and suggest how the students can practice these examples in the classroom.
   
   
5. After a class discussion of these examples have each student draw pictures of one of the examples in action. The pictures can show the students taking turns, sharing, completing classroom chores, taking care of one’s things, respecting what belongs to others, being honest, practicing self-control, or being kind to others. The pictures should be drawn on the pre-cut squares to make up the classroom quilt.
   
   
6. As students complete their pictures, allow each student time to share and tell about his/her example of being a good citizen. Add each student’s drawing to a large bulletin board or display labeled “Our Classroom Quilt of Good Citizenship.” (A variation on this project could be the use of digital or photographic images of each student as he/she displays examples of being a good citizen.)
   
   
7. Label the students’ work with the name of the citizenship example that each illustrated, such as taking turns, sharing, completing classroom chores, taking care of one’s things, respecting what belongs to others, being honest, practicing self-control, or being kind to others.
   
   
8. Encourage students throughout the year to add squares to the quilt as they show examples of being a good citizen.