Providence Spring Elementary's Character Trait of FEBRUARY is…
Citizenship
5th Grade Level
STEP ONE / OPENING
Greet the students and tell them you will be discussing the character trait citizenship with them. Ask the
following questions and call on different students for answers. Below each question are examples of the
type of responses you're looking for. You may need to rephrase their answers or help guide them along.
What is a CITIZEN?
* Someone that is part of a group, a town, a city or a country.
* As members of the community, as the CITIZENS that we are, we each have freedoms and priviledges
and responsibilities.
What does good CITIZENSHIP mean?
* Being responsible, caring and respectful to the people, animals, and to the environment and in all
the places where you are a citizen.
* Being informed about the needs within your school, community, country, group.
* Doing your best to make your home, school, and community a better place.
What are some ways you can SHOW good citizenship?
* Follow the rules and obey laws at school, home and in your community.
* Respect authority like parents, teachers, police officers and other community helpers.
* Participate in activities to improve your community and the environment.,
For instance picking up litter, recycling, and planting trees and flowers.
* Be a good neighbor and volunteer to help others.
* Donate food or clothing to help someone in need.
* Learn about the candidates running for public office and participate in kids’ voting and encourage
others to vote too.
* Use kind words and good manners in all situations.
Why is showing good citizenship important?
* We need good citizens to make our school and community better for everyone.
* It is our duty and obligation as American citizens to do our part.
STEP TWO / READ A BOOK TO THE CLASSROOM
Choose a book to read from our designated Character Education section in the school's Media Center.
(Library)
5th GRADE / CHOICES IN OUR LIBRARY:
1. We Live Here/Kids Talk About Citizenship
2. (TBD)
You can reserve your time-slot by writing the date and time you need the book on a post-it
and placing the post-it on the book so other volunteers can see.
- Please remember to always check the book out at the front desk.
- Please do not read a book from a tablet or Ipad.
STEP THREE / ACTIVITY
Choose an Activity from the list below
STEP FOUR / CLOSING COMMENTS / HAND OUT BOOKMARKS
Read and discuss the below quote and then give a bookmark to each student.
Bookmarks template on last page.
Make copies as needed on colored or plain paper or card stock.
You may use the media center's workroom's cutting machine.
Quote this month for 4th and 5th graders:
"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
~ John F Kennedy
IN THE NEWS!
Materials: News articles of local everyday heroes that have demonstrated good citizenship.
PLEASE USE THE SUPPLIED ONES ON OUR MEDIA CENTER SHELF.
Often times a community living section will highlight people that have made a difference in your town.
Ask the students to think of other citizens whose actions have made their school or community better.
Have the kids pair up. Pass out an article to each group. And have them read it aloud to each other.
Ask the students to write down the reasons this person is a good citizen.
When finished ask for volunteers to share.
My "Good Citizenship" Selfie-Emoji
Materials: A template of The Selfie-Emoji for each student.
Explain the meaning of CITIZEN: Being a member of a group. Give examples (or take examples) of
what groups one might be a citizen of. Such as PSE, Boy Scouts, Y-Guides, their home, the classroom,
Charlotte, their Soccer Team, Comminuty, (like Providence Plantation), Swim team, USA, etc.
What are ways you can be helpful as a member (or Citizen) of a group?
We are goimg to draw a Selfie - Emoji. Pass out a template to each student.
Instruct the students to color in their Selfie-Emoji and to write down three ways they show others that
they are a good citizen.
When finished, Ask for volunteers to share what they have done with the class.
“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
~ John F. Kennedy
“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
~ John F. Kennedy
“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
~ John F. Kennedy
“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
~ John F. Kennedy
“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
~ John F. Kennedy
“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
~ John F. Kennedy
“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
~ John F. Kennedy
“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
~ John F. Kennedy
My “Good Citizenship” Emoji
My Name_______________________
!
What makes ME a good citizen?