2.3.4 Civic Participation

Civic Participation

Learners can: 

• identify a right and responsibility of an American citizen

• describe how to be an active citizen in their community

In today's lesson, you will learn about the rights and responsibilities that you have as an American citizen, including the responsibility of being an active citizen in your community.
The United States of America was founded on the idea that its citizens are always guaranteed individual rights. Rights are certain freedoms you have that are protected by laws.
The Bill of Rights, which is the first ten amendments to the Constitution, is one of the first documents created by the U.S. government that ensured the rights of its citizens.

It protects freedoms such as the freedom of speech, religion, and the right to a fair trial. The freedoms are a reminder that the United States Constitution was written for the American people.
After the Bill of Rights was ratified, or approved, in 1791, the Constitution was changed 17 more times. Each change to the Constitution ensured that the government would continue to guarantee rights and freedoms to the American people.
Your rights are protected and guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution. With these rights come important responsibilities.

You have the right to stand up for what you believe in.

Freedom of Speech

​You have the right to a good education.

​​Right to Education

When American citizens turn 18, they have the right to vote in elections.

Right to Vote

You have the right to practice your religion.

Freedom or Religion

Your American Responsibilities

Rights come with responsibility. A responsibility is something that you should do.

In order to protect the rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution, people must be responsible citizens.
One important responsibility of an American citizen is to respect the rights of others.

This means that you cannot deny other people their Constitutional rights.
Five Responsibilities of American Citizens
Obey Laws-Governments create laws to help keep people safe and to help people work together. It is the responsibility of an American citizen to know and obey the laws.
Pay Taxes-Governments collect taxes from citizens to help pay for important services they provide.
Jury Duty- Jurors are citizens who are selected to serve on a jury for trials in court. When Americans are selected, it is called jury duty.
Vote-In the United States, all citizens, age 18 or older, are given the right to vote. Voting for government leaders is what makes America a democracy. It gives the citizens the power to rule the government.
Education-It is a law that children go to school.

Multiple Choice

Which civic responsibility helps to pay for government services like education, fire departments, and public parks?

• 
  voting

• 
  paying taxes

• 
  going to school

• 
  attending your jury duty

Be Active!

Your community is an important place! It is where you live. You and the people in your community probably have the same goals: to be healthy, safe, and happy.

Even though your government provides services for your community that support those goals, it is important for you to work toward those goals, too!
There are many ways you can be an active citizen in your community.

One way you can contribute to your community is by shopping locally.

When you shop and buy locally—at a nearby farmers market, for example—you are paying other members of the community for the service that they provide.

You are putting money back into your community!
Good citizens are kind and respectful toward others.

People in your community come from many backgrounds.

Good citizens treat everyone with kindness and respect, even if they are different.
Good citizens are involved. They join local groups and clubs. Many citizens in your community spend time organizing or attending local events.

When you participate in local events, you are interacting with your community!

Community Needs

Being a good citizen is also about making your community a better place.

To help make your community a better place, you also need to know what your community needs.
All communities have needs. Some communities might need clean drinking water, better educational resources, healthy food, or for people to feel safe.
Make Your Voice Heard

Sometimes, a community's needs are not met.

Members of the community need changes to happen in order to feel safe, healthy, and happy.
Look at the table below to learn about some problems communities might face.

As you read about possible problems in a community, think about your community. Does anything need to change in your community?

Match

Match the following

• 
  

  
  

  learning about the goals and beliefs of candidates

• 
  

  voting for a candidate who you think will be a great government leader

• 
  

  blank

responsibility

right

blank

• responsibility

• 
  right

• 
  blank

Word Cloud

What is one way that you can be an active citizen in your community?

Today, you learned about the rights and responsibilities that you have as an American citizen.

One of the most important responsibilities that you have is to be an active citizen in your community!

Great job today!