Civ. Rights and Responsibilities Mr. Flannery

8th gradeSocial Studies Agenda

Name: Date:

Period:

Do Now:  What do you think is the difference between a right and a responsibility? Explain in 2-3 sentences.

Objective: Students will be able to analyze citizenship through answering guided questions

Activity 1: Answer the discussion questions below:

1. What is something you think you have a right to?

2. What is something you think you are responsible for?

3. Do you think the government should have the right to make people pay taxes? (A tax is money given to the government from your income or purchased goods)

4. What do you think the government owes it citizens?

Activity 3: Read the article and answer the questions below

tion?

A right is a privilege or a claim to something. At the national level, the U.S. Constitution guarantees really big rights such as freedom of expression, freedom to peacefully assemble, freedom to petition the government, freedom of worship, and the right not to have the government search your stuff without a warrant. In fact, these rights are guaranteed to everyone living in the U.S. — not just U.S. citizens! Rights that belong only to U.S. citizens include voting in a federal election, serving on a jury, and running for federal political office. State constitutions repeat many of the guarantees in the U.S. Constitution, but they often add more. Your state constitution might guarantee the right to a free education or equal rights for men and women. A city charter gives you the right to services your city provides, such as sidewalks or parks. 

Maybe it seems like your school handbook contains a lot of things kids aren’t supposed to do, and very few “rights.” But look closer… Sometimes rights are the flip side of responsibilities. If the handbook says you can’t do something, it is silently giving you the right to do something else. For example, the handbook might say not to throw food in the cafeteria. That is silently saying you have the right to eat in the cafeteria! If the handbook says “No inappropriate t-shirts,” it is silently saying you have the right to wear appropriate t-shirts. At home, you probably don’t have a handbook of rights. Even so, the adults in charge may give you the right to eat the food they buy or the right to watch TV and play video games

Responsibilities are duties to other people, the government, or society. At home, you are responsible for doing what the adults in charge ask you to do. You might have to sweep the floor, wash the dishes, or even wash the dog! At school, you are responsible for following the rules. You’re probably not supposed to throw paper airplanes, chew bubble gum, wear your hat backwards, or carry weapons. City charters and city ordinances list the rules that apply in the city. For example, an ordinance may say, “There is a $50 fine for flying a kite in the park.” That means you’ve got a responsibility not to fly your kite there. Paying taxes is a big responsibility you’ll find at all levels, including the state level. Your state might have taxes on property you own, income you earn, and even stuff you buy at the store. The U.S. Constitution does not have a list of responsibilities, but it does create a government that can’t work if people don’t participate. Voting in federal elections and serving on a jury are two responsibilities just for U.S. citizens, and they require participation. What if nobody showed up to vote? Or what if they voted without understanding the issues? How could you have a jury trial if everyone refused to do jury duty? These are responsibilities U.S. citizens have to both society and the government. The Constitution also gives Congress the power to make laws, and all U.S. residents have a responsibility to follow the law. 

1. What is a right?

2. What are three rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution?

3. What are three rights that belong only to U.S. citizens?

4. What might state constitutions guarantee?

5. What might city charters guarantee?

6. What are the responsibilities?

7. What do city charters and ordinances list?

8. What are two responsibilities for U.S. citizens?

9. What must all U.S. residents follow?

Activity 4: Make a list of three rights you have and three responsibilities you have as a student.

Activity 5: Create a guide book for rights and responsibilities for U.S. citizens. Write one paragraph explaining the information below:

Define right

Define responsibility

Two rights of US citizens

Two responsibilities for US citizens

A title

An image to represent rights

An image to represent responsibilities