Rights and Responsibilities

Unit of 4 Lessons
Grade Levels: 
6
7
8
Subjects: 
Language Arts
Philanthropy
Social Studies
Issue Area: 
Civil society
Focus Question 

What is a citizen's responsibility to participate in civil society? 

Unit Overview 

Learners examine the rights guaranteed to us by the Bill of Rights, as well as the responsibilities we have to protect those rights for our personal well-being and the common good. They show value for those rights by promoting the common good as an involved citizen.

Service Experience 
Learners use their time and talent to create posters that illustrate ways in which guaranteed rights ensure the well-being of all people. Learners present the poster to a school/community leader and get permission to post it publically for an appropriate audience.
Lessons in This Unit 
Unit: 
Rights and Responsibilities
Lesson 1 of 4
Grades: 
6
7
8

We examine the authority to act, whether the authority comes from self or government. This lesson looks at our rights and responsibilities in the founding documents of our country. We discuss the purposes of the Constitution, Preamble to the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

Unit: 
Rights and Responsibilities
Lesson 2 of 4
Grades: 
6
7
8

This lesson clarifies that true rights are guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Participants discuss the importance of protecting these rights, and if and when it is ever appropriate to limit rights. We learn that one role of nonprofits is to preserve and promote guaranteed rights.

Unit: 
Rights and Responsibilities
Lesson 3 of 4
Grades: 
6
7
8

This lesson examines the connections between the five basic guaranteed rights in the Bill of Rights and their corresponding responsibilities. Participants explore the natual consequences of fulfilling, or not fulfilling, responsibilities connected to their rights.

Unit: 
Rights and Responsibilities
Lesson 4 of 4
Grades: 
6
7
8

This lesson emphasizes the importance of voluntary action for the common good based upon student understanding of one's rights and the corresponding responsibility to protect them.