Citizenship Lesson- 3rd Grade
GPS: S.S. 3.4.1, 4.3-4.5
Materials: group discussion pages (5), promise page (class set)
Purpose: This lesson promotes citizenship in the life of a 3rd grader. The
activity enhances how they can show good citizenship.
#1 Introduction: Citizenship
1. Ask students if they know what the word citizenship means?
2. Next give the students the definition of citizenship
** working towards the betterment of the community one lives in through participation,
volunteer work and efforts to improve life for all citizens (put in your own words for 3rd graders)
3. Ask the students what are some ways they can be a good citizen?…How can they
participate in the community &/or improve the lives of those around them?
** throwing away trash, saying the pledge of allegiance, welcoming new kids to their
classrooms/neighborhoods, giving away old toys to benefit those who may not have as
much, canned food drives at school, etc…
Share some stories of the ways you show good citizenship (they love to hear from you!). You
can even share a story of when you were their age.
#2
Group Discussion:
1. Split the class into 5 groups (count off 1-5)
2. Give each group one of the pictures or songs
3. Ask group to study the song/painting & answer the questions
4. Share with the rest of the class & ask for more input from classmates
**Walk around & help groups as they work.
#3 – My Promise
1. Have students go back to their seat & complete their own promise statement.
2. Ask them to think about ways they can show good citizenship & promise to do these
things. Remind them of the definition of citizenship:
** working towards the betterment of the community one lives in through participation,
volunteer work and efforts to improve life for all citizens
**Examples: taking part in a canned food drive, being nice to a new student at school,
picking up trash, obeying all school rules/laws, etc…
3. Share with students how you practice good citizenship.
4. Students may share their promise or teachers may want to hang them on the wall.
My Promise statement
I promise to be a good member of my
community.
These are the ways I will show citizenship:
Name:_____________________________
Date: __________________
1.
Create a caption for this Picture.
2. How are these boys enjoying their freedom as an American
citizen?
3. How do you enjoy your rights/freedom as a U.S. citizen daily?
4. What are ways that you can show citizenship in your daily lives?
1.
Create a caption for this picture.
2. How do military servicemen/women show citizenship?
3. How do you enjoy your rights/freedom each day?
4. What are ways that you can show citizenship in your daily lives?
You're a Grand Old Flag
by George M. Cohan
You're a grand old flag,
You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.
Ev'ry heart beats true
'neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.
1. What words in the song show pride in where you live?
2. How do you enjoy your rights/freedom each day?
3. What are ways you can show citizenship in your daily lives?
The Pledge of Allegiance
I Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of
America and to the Republic for which it stands,
one Nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
1. What words in the song show pride in where you live?
2. How do you enjoy your rights/freedom each day?
3. What are ways you can show citizenship in your daily lives?
1.
Create a caption for this picture.
2. How do firefighters show citizenship?
3. Name 3 other people in our community that show good
citizenship.
4. What are ways that you can show citizenship in your daily lives?