Curated OER
What is Democracy?
Students explore the facets of democracy. In this civic responsibility activity, students create a definition of democracy and discuss the difference between a spectator and a participatory citizen. Students discuss whose...
Curated OER
People Who Work
Students chart volunteers they are familiar with in school, church or in the community. In this nonprofit jobs, instructional activity students understand that all members of a community need to take responsibility in that community....
Curated OER
Many Hands Together Make a Lighter Load
Young scholars participate in a community service project. In this philanthropy instructional activity, students read the book, Selavi, That is Life: A Haitian Story of Hope and identify the problem in the text. Young scholars help...
Curated OER
ABC's of Giving
Students demonstrate philanthropic acts at home. In this philanthropy lesson, students choose various philanthropic activities from a checklist to perform at home. Students record their activities in Philanthropic Portfolio Notebook.
Curated OER
Social Studies: 9/11 Banners
Students explore the history of flags and design banners for their communities. their designs reflect sentiments shaped by the events of 9/11. In addition, they write phrases beginning with, "being an American means..." Students...
Curated OER
What Would Moses, Jesus, Mohammed, Budha and Krishna Say?
Students compare and contrast five different religions and the views that their leaders have in regard to civic responsibility and philanthropy. They choose one of the five leaders and write a letter outlining their perception of that...
Curated OER
Roman Society: Stoicism and Civic Duty
Students examine the causes and effects of the expansion of the Roman Empire. They identify the early strengths and the lasting contributions of the Empire itself. Using maps, they locate its geographic borders at the height of the...
Curated OER
Collaborative Projects: Have Your Say
Young scholars imagine they are a member of their local council in Australia. Students have role play the consideration of information given to Council, then vote for or against approving applications.
Curated OER
Toxic Waste in Grand Banks
Students investigate the issues of economic prosperity, environmental concerns, government intervention in the market economy and responsible civic participation in solving community problems.
PBS
Pbs: Frontline: Protecting the Environment Through Civic Activism
An activity engaging students in thinking about how they can fulfill their civic duties in their communities. Present a video and class discussion emphasizing the importance of community engagement.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Voting! What?s It All About?
Contains plans for an eight-lesson cross-curricular unit that uses the history of voting to teach reading and research skills. In addition to objectives and standards, this instructional plan contains links to sites used in the lessons...
Other
Dirksen Center: Why Is It Important to Vote?
A basic right in a democracy. We know we should vote, but does our vote mean anything? Good answers to some good questions. This site provides many classroom resources.
CPALMS
Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: Trial by Jury: You Decide!
Learn about trial by jury in this tutorial where you exercise your responsibility as a citizen by serving on a jury and deciding on a case. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Justice Thomas on National Identity
An examination of a speech Justice Clarence Thomas delivered in 2009 highlighting his thoughts on the Bill of Rights as well has his views on the importance of American civic responsibility.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Commemorating 9/11 and America's Civic Values
A lesson plan which breaks down the events of September 11, 2001, particularly drawing attention to the civic responsibilities the victims shared and used to fight back against the terrorism they were living through.
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Elections: Voting
Discover why citizens of the United States vote and understand the effects of voting.
University of Iowa
University of Iowa: Voting and Elections
Although this site from the University of Iowa seems to be an outline for a course, it offers many tutorials such as "A Brief Illustrated History of Voting" and "Chad, Hanging Chad and Pregnant Chad." Most of the site, however, is...
PBS
Pbs Teachers: George Washington and Civic Virtue (Lesson Plan)
A lesson for gaining knowledge and insight into the founders' ideas of civic virtue - civic knowledge, self-restraint, self-assertion, and self-reliance. Includes an examination of an excerpt from a primary source document: George...
HotChalk
Hot Chalk: Lesson Plans Page: Do Something: What Is Civic Action
This impressive lesson plan incorporates listening to music, critical thinking, collaboration and community participation for pupils to understand good citizenship.
HotChalk
Hot Chalk: Lesson Plans Page: Do Something: Why Do I Have to Do Jury Duty?
This lesson plan has students acting out and discussing the jury duty process.