Civic Duties vs. Civic Responsibilities: Case Studies

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Social Studies · Government and Civics
SP-GOV-007  ·  Free to print and use in your classroom  ·  substituteplans.com
Page 2
Civic Duties vs. Civic Responsibilities: Case
Studies
Social Studies · Government and Civics · Grades 8-10 · 45 minutes
Time needed
45 minutes (one class period)
Prep
Copy the 2-page worksheet (one per student).
Technology
None.
Student
independence
High. Students work alone, then discuss a case study with a partner.
Copies to make
One 2-page worksheet per student
Materials
Pencils, Worksheet
Goal for today: Students will distinguish legal civic duties from voluntary civic responsibilities and apply the ideas to
short community scenarios.
Before the bell
☐ Copy the worksheet, one per student (2 pages).
☐ Write on the board: DUTY = the law requires it. RESPONSIBILITY = good citizens choose to do it.
☐ Keep the answer key on your desk. The people in the cases are made up.
Say this to start
Good morning! Being a citizen comes with rights, but it also comes with duties and responsibilities. A duty is something
the law requires. A responsibility is something good citizens choose to do. Today you will sort examples, read three
short cases, and plan a project to help a community. Everything you need is on the worksheet.
Run of show
Minutes
What you do
What students do
0–5
Take attendance. Hand out the worksheet. Read the two
board definitions aloud.
Settle in and listen.
5–12
Tell students to read the passage silently.
Read the passage about duties and
responsibilities.
12–20
Tell students to complete the sort in questions 1–8 by
writing Duty or Responsibility on each blank.
Sort the eight examples.
20–33
Tell students to read the three case studies and answer
questions 9–11. Partners may talk quietly about the cases
before writing.
Read each case and write a short answer.
33–42
Tell students to complete the project plan table and
question 12. Say there are no personal details to share;
invent a community problem if needed.
Plan a community project.
42–45
Read answers 1–8 aloud from the key. Collect worksheets
and stack them for the teacher.
Check answers and hand in the worksheet.


SubstitutePlans.com
Social Studies · Government and Civics
SP-GOV-007  ·  Free to print and use in your classroom  ·  substituteplans.com
Page 3
If things go wrong
• If students argue that voting should be a duty, tell them that is a fair debate, but in the United States the law
does not require it, so on this worksheet it counts as a responsibility.
• If a student says they do not know any community problems, offer examples such as litter, a bare playground,
or a food drive.
• If students ask for personal details, remind them to use made-up examples and not to write anyone’s address
or phone number.
• If students finish early, use the early finisher list.
Early finishers
• Write a one-paragraph thank-you note to someone who helps your school community.
• List three ways a student under 18 can be a good citizen.
Support and challenge
• Support: Allow students to complete only the sort and one case study.
• Challenge: Ask students to explain why a democracy needs both legal duties and voluntary responsibilities.
Notes for the teacher (you fill this in)
Jot a few lines before you leave. A full Daily Sub Report is in the free Sub Survival Kit at SubstitutePlans.com.
How far the class got / what to pick up next:
Students who were especially helpful:
Anything the teacher should know: