Strategy Title:

Community Builders

Strategy #:

Strategy 1

State Standards Met by the Strategy:

Virginia History and Social Science Standards of Learning: Grade Three
3.11 – The student will explain the responsibilities of a good citizen, with emphasis on
taking part in the voting process when making classroom decisions;
describing actions that can improve the school and community;
demonstrating self-discipline and self-reliance;
Practicing honesty and trustworthiness; and
describing the purpose of rules.

Grade Level:

3rd grade

Description:

Divide students into groups of four or five. Have each group member write their name, place of birth, and general family facts such as the number of siblings, grandparents, years lived in the city, etc. The students will then write down two rights they believe they have as United States citizens and two responsibilities they have as United States citizens. Students will then write what it means to be an active participant in society, government, and the political system. After students complete the task, they will hand the paper to the student to their right. Each student will read the paper and then pass it to the right. This will continue until each student receives their paper back. Each group will then discuss what they believe as a group are rights, responsibilities, and active participation of United States citizens, with one group member recording the results. One member from each group will then share their group’s list with the class.

This is an introductory strategy with two benefits: this activity allows the students to get to know one another and the teacher to assess prior knowledge of the topic. This strategy is the springboard for teaching about United States citizens’ roles, rights, and responsibilities.

Strategy Title:

Community Builders

Strategy #:

Strategy 1

State Standards Met by the Strategy:

Virginia History and Social Science Standards of Learning: Grade Three
3.11 – The student will explain the responsibilities of a good citizen, with emphasis on
taking part in the voting process when making classroom decisions;
describing actions that can improve the school and community;
demonstrating self-discipline and self-reliance;
Practicing honesty and trustworthiness; and
describing the purpose of rules.

Grade Level:

3rd grade

Description:

Divide students into groups of four or five. Have each group member write their name, place of birth, and general family facts such as the number of siblings, grandparents, years lived in the city, etc. The students will then write down two rights they believe they have as United States citizens and two responsibilities they have as United States citizens. Students will then write what it means to be an active participant in society, government, and the political system. After students complete the task, they will hand the paper to the student to their right. Each student will read the paper and then pass it to the right. This will continue until each student receives their paper back. Each group will then discuss what they believe as a group are rights, responsibilities, and active participation of United States citizens, with one group member recording the results. One member from each group will then share their group’s list with the class.

This is an introductory strategy with two benefits: this activity allows the students to get to know one another and the teacher to assess prior knowledge of the topic. This strategy is the springboard for teaching about United States citizens’ roles, rights, and responsibilities.