Audience: Third Grade
Anchor Text: We Live Here Too! Kids Talk About Good Citizenship by Nancy Loewen
Essential Question: What makes someone a good citizen?
Anchor Text: We Live Here Too! Kids Talk About Good Citizenship by Nancy Loewen
Essential Question: What makes someone a good citizen?
Books
Christelow, Eileen. Vote! HMH Books for Young Readers, 2008.
Level: 420L, AR 3.8
Summary: In this story, readers get to see the process of running for an elected position and learn about all the different components that candidates participate in, all with the entertaining commentary from a candidate’s dogs’ point of view.
Justification: I chose this book because it’s written in an engaging way while explaining the election process.
DiPucchio, Kelly. Grace for President. Disney-Hyperion, 2012
Level: 570L, AR 4.6
Summary: In this fictional story, Grace learns that the U.S. has not had a female president yet. She decides that she will be the first. This story goes through the electoral system in a way that children can understand and also find it entertaining.
Justification: This book has a powerful message, students can connect to it, and are able to gain a better understanding of how the electoral college works.
Javernick, Ellen. What If Everybody Did That? Two Lions, 2010.
Level: AD450L, 2.5
Summary: This book goes through several scenarios where the main character doesn’t always make the best choices and is questioned, “What if everybody did that?” It helps put the situations, that on their own may not seem like a big deal, into perspective and helps the character and the reader to see the error in his actions and see what could or should be done instead.
Justification: This book gives students the opportunity to contemplate the consequences of each action along with the main character. It opens up a discussion of what would happen if everyone committed the same action and what could be done instead.
Level: AD450L, 2.5
Summary: This book goes through several scenarios where the main character doesn’t always make the best choices and is questioned, “What if everybody did that?” It helps put the situations, that on their own may not seem like a big deal, into perspective and helps the character and the reader to see the error in his actions and see what could or should be done instead.
Justification: This book gives students the opportunity to contemplate the consequences of each action along with the main character. It opens up a discussion of what would happen if everyone committed the same action and what could be done instead.
Manning, Jack. Serving on a Jury. Capstone Press, 2014.
Level: 670L, AR 4.1
Summary: This book explains what a jury does, how it works, and the importance of serving on a jury.
Justification: This book is straightforward in describing the responsibility of serving on a jury.
Mitchell, Margaree King. Granddaddy’s Gift. Troll Communications, 1998.
Level: 670L
Summary: Taking place in 1960’s Mississippi, a young Afro-American girl tells about her grandfather’s move to be the first African American to register to vote in their small segregated town.
Justification: I chose this book because it highlights the fact that not everyone is (or was) afforded the same rights as others, even when they are a citizen of this country.
Small, Mary. Being a Good Citizen: A Book About Citizenship. Picture Window Books, 2005.
Level: NC650L, AR 2.8
Summary: This book lists many activities that children are able to do that allow them to contribute to society and show their pride in being a citizen of their community.
Justification: This book gives easy examples of how people can contribute to society.
Loewen, Nancy. We Live Here Too! Kids Talk About Good Citizenship. Picture Window Books, 2002.
Level: 680L, AR 4.1
Summary: Written in question & answer format, this book gives many ways children can be good citizens.
Justification: I chose this as the anchor text because of its format and because it provides real-world situations for students to compare and analyze.
Videos
BrainPOP! Citizenship
Summary: Tim and Moby explore the rights and responsibilities of being a U.S. citizen.
Justification: The video is short, well made, and engaging for students. There are also accompanying materials that can be used to support and extend learning.
BrainPOP Jr. Citizenship-Rights and Responsibilities
Summary: This video explains the difference between rights and responsibilities, goes into how rules and laws are made, and talks about how citizens can work together for the common good.
Justification: The video is short, well made, and engaging for students. There are also accompanying materials that can be used to support and extend learning.
Music
Boom Boom Pow Parody-Citizenship
Summary: This song goes through different rights and responsibilities we have as U.S. citizens.
Justification: It’s a fun, catchy tune that can students would be able to learn easily and find engaging.
Citizenship by Red Grammer
Summary: This song lists responsibilities citizens have and gives scenarios to consider what makes a good citizen.
Justification: I felt that this song ties in well with all the other materials in this collection and helps sum up what the students should get from this unit.