The Rights and Responsibilities of U.S. Citizens

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Overview

This lesson describes the basic rights guaranteed to a U.S. citizen under the Bill of Rights and the responsibilities that come with them.

Grade Level

5 - 8

Objectives

Students will:

• identify the basic rights guaranteed to a citizen under the Bill of Rights; and
• name at least three responsibilities that come with the rights of citizens.

Estimated Time

60 minutes

Materials Needed

• E-Learning Module: Civic Participation
• Internet connection with Macromedia FLASH ® enabled
• Chalk and chalkboard or an overhead projector
• One copy of the Bill of Rights per student

Procedure

1. Divide the class into five groups. Distribute copies of the Bill of Rights, and assign each group two amendments that are part of the Bill of Rights.
2. Have students in each group carefully read their assigned amendments and discuss the meaning of the amendment and how the amendment affects their daily lives.
3. Ask each group to choose one person to summarize the amendment and explain how it affects students’ daily lives.
4. Explain to students that it is as important for ordinary citizens to participate in government as it is for elected officials to participate. Citizen participation creates a more effective government because elected officials will know more about local problems and concerns.
5. Have each group create a list of responsibilities of citizens. For example, students may say citizens have the responsibility to obey laws, vote, or serve on a jury. Have the groups share their lists with the class.
6. Discuss what might happen to the Bill of Rights if no one fulfills the responsibilities students have listed.
7. Explain to students that one of the most important responsibilities is to participate in the government. As a class, create a list of ways citizens can participate.
8. Have students view the “Avenues of Participation” in the Civic Participation module. Discuss the avenues of participation the students feel comfortable participating in.

Extension and Adaptation Activities

Cross-Curricular Activity

Have students read Kids on Strike! (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1999) by Susan Campbell Bartoletti. Discuss how the kids became involved and were able to influence political leaders.

Assessment

Basic Concepts and Processes

Ask your students to respond to the following requests for information and assess their knowledge of key concepts taught in this lesson.

1. Identify the basic rights guaranteed to a U.S. citizen under the Bill of Rights.
2. Name at least three responsibilities of U.S. citizens.

Scoring Guide for The Rights and Responsibilities of U.S. Citizens

Elements	Possible Score	Assigned Score	Notes
Correct spelling	5
Correct grammar (sentence structure, punctuation)	10
Good beginning, middle, and end	10
Identifies basic rights guaranteed by The Bill of Rights	25
Lists at least three concerns about the issue	15
Describes at least one possible solution	15
Describes an appropriate way to contact a specific government official	25
Lists avenues of participation	25

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