7 th Grade Government and Civics Mr. Cole colea@nvnet.org

Citizenship in the United States of America

Our Rights and Responsibilities

7th Grade Government and Civics

Mr. Colecolea@nvnet.org

1. What is the definition of immigration?***to come into a country of which one is not a native for permanent residence

2. What are some reasons people immigrate?***opportunity for jobs/education, freedom of religion, family, government/conflict (war)

3. Why is America a popular destination for immigrants?***Land of opportunity, free country (freedom of movement) , and…see above

4. Why do you think Americans have created so many of the inventions that we use today?(For example: the automobile, telephone, computer, internet, etc.)

Do Now:

Discuss with a neighbor what your responsibilities are as a student at the Demarest Middle School.

What responsibilities are mandatory?

What responsibilities are voluntary?

Essential Questions:

What would happen if we didn’t follow through with our responsibilities at DMS?

What would happen if we didn’t follow through with our responsibilities as citizens?

What is a citizen?

Defined by the Merriam Webster dictionary:

1.An inhabitant of a city or town; especially one entitled to right and privileges of a freeman

2. a member of a state

3. a native or naturalized (completed the official legal process of becoming a citizen) person who owes allegiance to a government and is entitled to protection from it

What is a citizen?

Defined by our class:

What is a citizen?

Defined by our textbook:

• A person who owes loyalty to a particular nation and is entitled to all its rights and protections

Becoming a citizen?• Born in the US (or at least one parent

is a citizen)• Naturalized (completed the official

legal process to become a citizen)• You were 18 or younger when your

parents were naturalized• Immigrant needs to wait 5 years to

become a citizen after becoming a resident alien or someone living in the country as a noncitizen. Need to pass citizen test, show good moral character, take interview, then take an oath of allegiance to the US

Rights and responsibilities of a citizen?

Rights:

• Speak freely• Worship as you choose• Vote• Serve on juries• Assemble/petition• Rights of the accused• Bear arms

Rights and responsibilities of a citizen?Responsibilities:

• Vote• Obeying the laws• Defending the nation (men age 18-26

must register for the draft—if there is an active draft)

• Serve on a juries• Serve the community• Being informed• Pay taxes

What responsibilities of a US citizen are mandatory?

• Paying taxes• Defend the nation (men 18-26 if we have draft

(war))• Obey the law• Serve on juries

What responsibilities are voluntary?

• Being informed • Serve the community• Voting

Rights and responsibilities of a citizen?

What would happen if we didn’t follow through on our responsibilities as citizens?

Essential Questions:

• In Australia, voting is compulsory (or mandatory). If you do not vote, it is a $20 fine unless you can give a valid or sufficient reason for not voting or not being able to vote.

• Do you think that with voter turnout at about 50% (near 60% for presidential election years and 40% for midterm election years), the United States should have a mandatory voting rule or law like Australia?

• Are their any other responsibilities that should be mandatory or should be offered with an added incentive (or attraction) in the US?

Citizenship-Key Terms

Citizenship (citizen):

Immigration (immigrant):

Native:

Naturalized:

Civic virtue:

Patriotism:

Allegiance:

Natural Rights:

http://www.history.com/videos/what-does-it-mean-to-be-an-american-citizen#what-does-it-mean-to-be-an-american-citizen

Citizenship Educational Websites & Videos

http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/socdemo/voting/

http://www.fairvote.org/

the loyalty owed by a citizen to a government, group, or cause

Allegiance 

Definitions

Definitions

to complete the official process for becoming a citizen

Naturalize(d)

Definitions

Feeling of love and devotion for one’s country

Patriotism

Definitions

Rights that belong to all people from birth

Natural Rights

Definitions

Born in a particular place—refers to where a person was born and raised

Native

Definitions

The willingness to work for the good of the nation or community even at great sacrifice

Civic Virtue

Definitions

a person(s) who enters another country in order to settle there

Immigrant (immigration)

Definitions

a person(s) who owes loyalty to a particular nation and is entitled to all of its rights and protections

Citizen (citizenship)

Rights and Responsibilities

Paying Taxes…

Responsibility

Mandatory

Rights and Responsibilities

Being informed…

Responsibility

Voluntary

Rights and Responsibilities

Hold public office…

Right

Voluntary

Rights and Responsibilities

Assemble and petition…

Right

Mandatory…if needed

Rights and Responsibilities

Obey the law…

Responsibility

Mandatory

Rights and Responsibilities

Worship as you choose…

Right

Mandatory (Bill of Rights)

Rights and Responsibilities

Serve the community…

Responsibility

Voluntary

Rights and Responsibilities

Vote…

Responsibility and right

Voluntary

Rights and Responsibilities

Defend the nation…

Responsibility

Mandatory for men 18-26 during time of war when there is a draft (selective service) otherwise voluntary

Rights and Responsibilities

Serve on juries…

Responsibility and right

Mandatory

Rights and Responsibilities

Speak freely…

Right

Mandatory (Bill of Rights)

Rights and Responsibilities

Right to an attorney and fair trial…

Right

Mandatory (Bill of Rights)

Citizenship

What is Citizenship?

"Citizenship is man's basic right, for it is nothing less than his right to have rights."

Chief Justice Earl Warren, 1958

Citizenship

"Our Constitution is founded on the principle that all men are equal as citizens and entitled to the same rights, whether they achieved citizenship by birth, or after coming here as immigrants, seeking to find in America new freedom and new opportunities."

John F. Kennedy, 1960

Citizenship

Acting Like a Citizen

"No man is above the law and no man below it; nor do we ask any man's permission when we require him to obey it. Obedience to the law is demanded as a right; not asked as a favor.“

Theodore Roosevelt, 1903

Your Citizenship Project should focus on:

1. Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens(Right to Vote, Rights of the accused, etc.) 2. Key Terms of Citizenship(Citizen, Civic Virtue, etc.)

Example and Explanations:(Being a citizen is important because it gives you the right to vote and make a difference…you can assemble and petition the government…you are expected to serve on juries)

Project must include sources and is due at the beginning of class on Friday May 30, 2014—when we will begin presenting