CITIZENSHIP AND CIVICS

EDUCATION

What ELSE is Social Studies?

Jillian Daughtry
Christina Jones
Hannah Martin
Brittney Semon
What is "Citizenship"?

According to Dictionary.com:
Main Entry: citizenship
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: the character of an
individual viewed as a member of
society; behavior in terms of duties,
obligations, and functions of a citizen:
an award for good citizenship.
What is "Civics Education"?

According to Dictionary.com:
Main Entry: civics
Part of Speech: noun, used with singular verb
Definition: the study or science of the privileges
and obligations of citizens; the study of the
rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
Essential Questions:
• Why should citizenship and civics be a part of
the Social Studies curriculum?
• What topical areas can be studied in civics
education?
• Where is it appropriate to teach citizenship
and civics in every grade level? (What are the
objectives?)
 Why Should Citizenship and
Civics be a Part of Social Studies?
• As students learn about citizenship, they will be
able to see how people in the past had a positive
impact on society. Students will see that those who
had a positive impact on society were those who
practiced good citizenship.
• Citizenship gives students a practical way to apply
their knowledge from the other branches of social
studies.
• Our communities benefit greatly from students
who are taught civic responsibilities.
• Not only is civic education practical, it is required
according to the national standards.
SOURCE: http://www.civiced.org/index.php?
page=k4toc
Civics and Citizenship Areas
of Study—Primary Grades
• Environmental Impact
– Effects of responsible citizenship (2, 3)
– Ways people use and modify land or resources(4, 5)
• Government, Justice, and Individual Relationships
– Participate in democratic decision making (K, 1)
– Importance of rules/laws and fairness(K, 1)
– Voting and/or political parties (3, 4)
– Taxes (4)
– Role of public education (5)
– Recognize roles of past and/or present leaders (1, 2, 3, 4)
• Citizen Rights and Responsibilities
– Traits: integrity, responsibility, fairness, and
trustworthiness (K, 1, 2, 3)
– Identify consequences for irresponsibility (1, 2, 3)
– Effect of technology (4, 5)
– Effects of civil rights (5)
 Is it Appropriate to Teach Citizenship
and Civics in Every Grade Level?
• North Carolina Standard Course of Study—Primary Grades:
– Kindergarten and 1st Grade:
• Goal Two: The learner will identify and exhibit qualities of
responsible/good citizenship in the classroom, school, and other
environments.
– 2nd Grade:
• Goal One—Same goal as K-1.
– 3rd Grade: Subtitled—”Citizenship: People Making a Difference”
• Goal One: The learner will characterize qualities of good citizenship by
identifying people who made a difference in the community and other
social environments
– 4th and 5th Grades: No entire goal focused on civics
• (4th Grade) 4.03 Explain the importance of responsible citizenship and
identify ways North Carolinians can participate in civic affairs.
• (5th Grade) 4.06 Evaluate the effectiveness of civil rights 
 Civics and Citizenship Areas
of Study—Middle Grades
• Environmental Impact
– Allocation of resources (6, 7)
– Impact of geography on settlement (8)
• Government, Justice, and Individual Relationships
– Development of relationships between individuals and their
governments (6, 7)
– Sources of citizens' rights and responsibilities—constitutions (6, 7)
– Leadership roles (6, 7, 8)
– Contemporary issues at the state and local levels and evaluate
their impact on the community (8)
• Citizen Rights and Responsibilities
– Sources of citizens' rights and responsibilities—traditions and
religious law (6, 7)
– Rights and responsibilities of citizens in selected contemporary
societies (6, 7)
– The rights, roles, and status of individuals/groups (6, 7)
– Opportunities for and benefits of civic participation (8)
 Is it Appropriate to Teach Citizenship
and Civics in Every Grade Level?
• North Carolina Standard Course of Study—Middle Grades:
– 6th Grade:
• Goal Ten: The learner will compare the rights and civic responsibilities
of individuals in political structures in South America and Europe.
• Links to additional citizenship and civics can be found under goals
three, four, and nine.
– 7thGrade:
• Goal Ten: The learner will compare the rights and civic responsibilities
of individuals in political structures in Africa, Asia, and Australia.
• Links to additional citizenship and civics can be found under goals
three, four, and nine.
– 8th Grade:
• Goal Nine: The learner will explore examples of and opportunities for
active citizenship, past and present, at the local and state levels.
• Links to additional citizenship and civics can be found under goals
three, five, seven, and eight.
Available Activities:
• Recycling—“Who Polluted the
Cape Fear River” Lesson
• Court Case Reenactment
• Journal Writing
• Debates
• Literature
Circles/Investigations
• Geo-caching
• Role Plays
• Hosting a Career Day
• Lead the Heard Activity
(student leads blind partner
through obstacles)
• Assigning Classroom Jobs
• Simulated Money Activity
• Classroom “Good Citizen”
Chain
Available Resources:
• Center for Civic Education:
– http://new.civiced.org
• National Alliance for Civics Education:
– http://www.cived.net/
• Approaches to Civic Education: Lessons Learned:
– http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/democracy_and_governance/
publications/pdfs/pnacp331.pdf
• 20 Ideas for Teaching Citizenship to Children:
– http://www.kellybear.com/TeacherArticles/TeacherTip27.html
• Social Studies, Civics Education, and Citizenship Resources for
Teachers :
– http://www.pbs.org/teachers/
Literature:
• We Live Here Too By Nancy Loewen
• Citizenship: Being Responsible and Being a Leader by Cassie
Mayer
• Working Together: Learning about Cooperation and Citizenship
(Character Education Readers) By Regina Burch
• If Everybody Did By Jo Ann Stover
• Vote for Isaiah!: A Citizenship Story By Anastasia Suen
• Citizenship (First Step Nonfiction Government) By
Ann-Marie Kishel
Citations:
• Dictionary.com
• http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/socialst
udies/scos/
• http://www.civiced.org/index.php?page=k4toc
• http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?
id=11536
• http://hubpages.com/hub/Leadership-Activities-for-
Elementary-Students