Michigan Community Studies Weekly

Teacher Supplement
Week 1: Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship
Students will identify rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Some examples are respecting the law,
paying taxes, voting knowledgeably, etc.

Standards Covered this Week

• C5.0.1 Explain responsibilities of citizenship (initiating changes in laws or policy, holding public
office, respecting the law, being informed and attentive to public issues, paying taxes, registering to
vote and voting knowledgeably, serving as a juror).

Enduring Understandings
• Students will identify rights and responsibilities of citizenship, including obeying laws, paying taxes,
being informed before voting, etc.

Literature Selections
“Gene the Pumpkin Man” by Carol Rhodes
“Taking Care of Mango: A Story About Responsibility” by Cindy Leaney and Peter Wilks
“Following the Rules: Learning About Respect” by Regina Burch
“We Live Here Too!: Kids Talk About Good Citizenship” by Nancy Loewen
“Mrs Honey’s Tree” (Life Skills and Responsibility) by Pam Adams and Toni Goffe
“What Are Citizens’ Basic Rights?” (My American Government) by William David Thomas
“Rights and Values” (Citizens and Their Governments) by Patricia Hynes
“The Bill of Rights” by Christine Taylor-Butler
“Don’t Forget!: A Responsibility Story” by Anastasia Suen and Jeff Ebbeler
“Mammoths and Mastodons: Titans of the Ice Age” by Cheryl Bardoe
“Mammoths, Mastodons and Man” by Robert Silverberg
“When Mammoths Walked the Earth” by Caroline Arnold and Laurie Caple
“The Civil Rights Movement for Kids: A History with 21 Activities” by Mary C. Turck
“A Kids’ Guide to America’s Bill of Rights: Curfews, Censorship, and the 100-Pound Giant” by
Kathleen Krull and Anna Divito

Recommended Websites
http://www.wviz.org/cms_images/education/newsdepth/lessons/Ice_Age_Mammoth.pdf
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/mammals/mammoth/
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/woollymammoth/migramap.html
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/citizenship/responsibilities.html

Writing Connection
As you write an essay about rights, think about using a quote. A quote can be from anyone—a famous
person, your mom or someone in your class. Starting with a quote is a great way to “hook” your reader
into what you are writing.

• Write a good paragraph to describe at least three of the rights you have in our Michigan constitution.
Tell why these particular rights are important to you.

Integrated Activities
(Teachers: You may choose to use these as classroom activities or as assessments. If you choose to use

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 Michigan Community Studies Weekly
Teacher Supplement
them as assessments, students may work independently on things that are described as class or group
activities.)
Civics
It’s Your Duty - Have the class brainstorm a list of citizen duties. Write the list on one side of the board.
Remind students that these are the responsibilities of everyone in America. Some of the ideas they
should come up with are:
• Obey the laws
• Respect the rights and belongings of others
• Pay taxes
• Vote in elections
• Stay informed about what is going on around you
• Help change things that are not for the common good
• Help save America’s natural resources

On the other side of the board, ask students to think of a specific example that goes with each duty.
Possible examples are:
• Drive the speed limit and don’t steal things from stores. You are obeying the law.
• Listen to your classmates’ ideas and don’t destroy or take their things. You are respecting the
rights and belongings of others.
• When you buy something you pay sales tax. Also, when you become an adult it will be your duty
to pay other kinds of taxes. You are paying taxes.
• All citizens have the right to vote but also the responsibility to be involved with our country by
voting. Voting in elections.
• Watch the news and read the newspaper. You are staying informed about what is going on
around you.
• If you see someone getting picked on and decide to stick up for that person, you are helping to
change something that is not good. Working for the common good.
• Pick up trash and encourage your parents to recycle. You are helping save our natural
resources.

Government/Civics
I’ve Got Rights, Too - This activity will help you assess whether students understand the lessons on
rights for U.S. citizens. Have students fold a long piece of paper into 6 sections. They should label the
top “John’s Rights,” substituting their own names. In each section, students should make a drawing
of a right they have as a citizen in the United States. They should label and describe what they draw.
These six rights should include: right to go to school, right to vote, freedom of speech, freedom of
religion, right to own property, and freedom to meet (assemble).