Citizenship Study Guide
Responsibilities – What are the responsibilities of citizenship? Why?
1. Respect and protect the rights and property of others
a. I only borrow items from friends who give me permission to
borrow their items.
2. Create ideas and take actions to improve the school and
community
a. I like to be part of the recycling program at school.
3. Self-reliance and self-control or self-discipline
a. I follow the rules at school.
4. Honesty and trustworthiness
a. I return lost items.
Models – What are some examples of good citizenship? What makes them good
examples?
1. George Washington – led the fight for freedom from England and
helped establish a new country
2. Abraham Lincoln – was the president of the United States who
helped free enslaved African Americans
3. Susan B. Anthony – led the struggle to give women equal rights,
including the right to vote.
4. Helen Keller – overcame disabilities and worked to help others who
were blind and deaf
5. Jackie Robinson – was the first African American player in the major
leagues of baseball. His actions helped to bring about other
opportunities for African Americans.
6. Martin Luther King Jr. – was an African American minister who
worked so that all people would be treated fairly. He led peaceful
marches and gave speeches.
Virginians – How are “good citizenship” and a community’s “common principles”
related? How does “good citizenship” unite people from different cultures and
backgrounds?
1. Diverse backgrounds – People living in Virginia have diverse ethnic
origins, customs, and traditions. All of the people who live in Virginia
take part in and contribute to their communities in some way.
When people practice the responsibilities of good citizenship, they
are contributing to their communities.
2. Common Principles – While people in our communities have
different ethnic and cultural origins, they are united as Americans
and Virginians by common principles and traditions.
a. The Pledge of Allegiance
b. Celebration of Independence Day (Fourth of July)
c. Make contributions to their community
d. Participate in their community
3. Civic Behaviors and Responsibilities
a. Showing responsibilities of good citizenship
b. Voting – Voters in Virginia elect officials to make decisions for
them in the state and local government
c. Taking part in local and state government – Citizens gather
together and speak to the government about making
changes they think are important, or they organize friends to
vote for people they think should lead us.