Rights and Responsibilities Lesson Plans

Eighth graders research the rights and responsibilities associated with citizenship. In this citizenship lesson, 8th graders determine what the rights and responsibilities are for members of the United States. They write paragraphs that tell how the rights and responsibilities of US citizens affect the country.

Third graders write down three laws that people must follow within their community. They work in cooperative groups to sort rights and responsibilities and participate in a "grab bag" activity in which they pull a strip from a bag and have to decide whether or not the statement is a right or responsibility. Finally, 3rd graders create a cause-and-effect flip book.

Students analyze the relationship between rights and responsibilities of citizens: Personal responsibilities, Civic Responsibilities

Students explore First Amendment rights and responsibilities.

Students examine citizenship and the rights and responsibilities that come along with it.  For this social studies lesson, students discuss civic values, compare requirements for citizenship today with those from 1896, and create a country with its own citizenship rules.

Students investigate their rights and responsibilities as juveniles in the Missouri legal system. After taking a poll on juvenile justice, they discuss their responses and suggest changes which they could send to the state legislature. In lessons two and three, they discuss when juveniles are treated as adults. In groups, they role-play cases and compare and contrast their decision with that of student- judges.

Students read about Martin Luther King and discuss the rights and responsibilities of citizens.  In this Martin Luther King instructional activity, students recognize the vocabulary words associated with freedom and nonviolence.  Students view a digital story and complete a journal reflection.

Students learn about the relationship between rights and responsibilities. In this rights and responsibilities lesson, students look at how citizen have responsibilities for each right that they receive. They learn related vocabulary after watching a skit that leads them to an understanding of the concepts.

Students discuss concepts of rights and responsibilities, review Bill of Rights and Universal Declaration of Human Rights, discuss Civil Rights Movement, and list categories of rights. Students then view and take notes on Ralph Bunche documentary, research beliefs and tactics of leaders of Civil Rights Movement, and research present-day human rights campaign.

Young scholars explore the concept of civic virtue in a democratic state. For this democracy lesson, students listen to John F. Kennedy's inaugural speech, read selections on democracy, and discuss the importance of civic rights and responsibilities. Young scholars conclude the lesson by completing a Public Service Poster.