Learning Objectives
Students will be able to understand what makes a good citizen, why we have rules, and why we need to follow authority.
Grade Levels
K-2
National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies
10: Civic Ideals and Practices
Materials Needed
Scenario examples (one for each group)
Computer with internet access
Lesson
Introduction
- Ask students what they think it means to be a good citizen.
- Ask them for examples on how to be a good citizen. (Ideas: volunteer, help others, be honest, be kind, respect others, follow the law)
- Ask students to raise their hand if they have a dog.
- Give each student a brief opportunity to share about their dog such as their name, age, breed, etc.
- Ask students, “How are pets good citizens?” (Ideas: friendly to other dogs and people, follows rules, is a good listener)
- Follow up with , “What do good people citizens and good pet citizens have in common?”
Explicit Instruction/Teacher Modeling
- Make a list on the whiteboard called, “A Good Citizen is…”
- List the following attributes: respectful to other people and their things, helpful, kind, polite, and honest.
- Ask the students for their opinions on these characteristics.
Guided Practice and Student Work
- Divide the students into groups of 3-4.
- Give each group a scenario in which they should behave like a good citizen.
- Each group should create a skit to demonstrate how they would behave.
- Possible scenarios include:
- You are at the park and someone throws their candy wrapper on the ground.
- You are at the toy store and someone drops their wallet.
- You are in the bathroom at school and you hear another child crying.
- Have the groups present their short skits to the class.
- After all the groups have presented, brainstorm on the board what makes a good citizen and what makes a bad citizen.
- Review with students the ways that dogs are good citizens. You can find information about there here: AKC Canine Good Citizen
- Draw a venn diagram on the board. Have students offer ideas about how a canine good citizen is different and similar to a human good citizen.
Review and Closing
- Tell the students that good citizens are important in society.
- Ask students to think of what they can do to be a good citizen.
- Ask them what they plan to do to help their communities.