Content Area: Social Studies

 

Index: 6.2A Grade 2 CPI 5

 

Standard: 6.2 - Civics

 

Strand: A - Civic Life, Politics, and Government

 

Cumulative Progress Indicator: 5 - The student will explain that a responsibility means something you must or should do.

 

Grade: 2

 

Sample Activities:

 

·        Students create a questionnaire to distribute to individuals in their families, in the school community, and in the larger community. The questions may focus on topics such as how each respondent views his or her responsibilities as a member of a family, as a neighbor, as a worker, as a citizen or resident of the United States, and as a citizen of the planet. Discuss the data received. Encourage students to write complete sentences (or paragraphs) to report some of the responses.

 

·        Students create a bulletin board display (or poster) highlighting their individual roles and responsibilities. First, each student prints his or her name on a colorful circle and attaches construction-paper “petals” to make a flower. On each petal, the student writes a description, draws a picture, or pastes magazine cutouts depicting one of the roles or responsibilities he or she has within the family, the classroom, the school, or the community. Students mount the flowers together on the bulletin board or poster. Label the display with a title such as “A Garden of Good Citizens.”

 

·        Working in cooperative groups, students select and analyze two different roles in society. Suggested choices include the following: president, principal, teacher, school nurse, superintendent, mayor, police chief, fire chief, detective in charge of vandalism, and director of the local parks and recreation office. (Consider writing these choices on Popsicle sticks that groups randomly select.) On chart paper, students record their responses to the following questions: What are three responsibilities this person has? What may be one of the biggest problems this person must face? What are some potential solutions to this problem? Would you suggest any changes in this role? Discuss written responses with the class.

 

·        Discuss the responsibility each individual has in making the school environment the best it can be. Using a variety of colored chalk, markers, and/or paints, students create a poster entitled “How to Respect or Improve Our Classroom and School.” Encourage students to draw pictures or write ideas and suggestions they have to achieve this goal. Display the posters in the classroom or elsewhere in the school.

 

·        Discuss the responsibilities each person has within society. Students meet in small cooperative groups to brainstorm their ideas. Each group creates a retrieval chart with three columns under the heading “What Are You Responsible For?” (or other appropriate title). Students record what they are responsible for in school, at home, and in the community.

 

Kidspiration Activities:

 

·        Brainstorm ideas in picture view

·        Go to writing view to organize ideas and details.

·        Use symbols and links or SuperGrouper categories to create a similar chart.

·        Use symbols, links, and colors to create a similar activity.