My Country, My Community

Unit of 2 Lessons
Grade Levels: 
9
10
11
12
Subjects: 
Arts Education
Language Arts
Social Studies
Philanthropy
Issue Area: 
Democracy
Focus Question 

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

 

Photo Credit:  GroupL2-035 by Visions Service Adventure is licensed under CC by 2.0

Unit Overview 

When people say that they have freedom, what do they mean? Does it mean I can do whatever I want? Learners explore the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship. They review knowledge of United States history and government necessary to become a naturalized citizen. They write a persuasive essay about the cost of freedom.

Service Experience 
Young people share their freedom advocacy about this statement: “Freedom isn’t free. It passes on an enormous debt to the recipient.”
Lessons in This Unit 
Unit: 
My Country, My Community
Lesson 1 of 2
Grades: 
9
10
11
12

While reviewing the expectations for immigrants to become citizens, young people learn about their own rights and civic responsibility. They learn that freedom isn't free. It was purchased by service and requires continued responsibility of citizens to uphold the rights and expectations of the common good. 

Unit: 
My Country, My Community
Lesson 2 of 2
Grades: 
9
10
11
12

In a persuasive essay, learners describe the responsibilities of American citizenship and the cost of freedom. They connect how philanthropic action is a part of those costs. “Freedom isn’t free. It passes on an enormous debt to the recipient.”