Citizenship Teaching Resources
Bring good citizenship topics to life in your social studies classroom with printable worksheets, activity packs, Google slide decks and more teacher-created resources designed with this social studies standard in mind!
The Teach Starter team of expert teachers has curated a curriculum-aligned collection of US citizenship activities to help students understand the rights, responsibilities and duties of being a member of a community. Save time on your lesson plans with resources carefully curated by expert teachers just for your classroom!
Is this your first year teaching this section of the social studies curriculum, or are you just looking for some fresh ideas? Read on for some tips from our teacher team, including a citizenship definition you can share with your students.
What Is Citizenship? A Kid-Friendly Definition
How do you define citizenship and what it means to be a good citizen for your students? Here's a kid-friendly way to explain the meaning to your class:
Citizenship means being a good community member and following the rules and laws that keep everyone safe and happy.
It also means treating others with kindness and respect, helping when you can and doing your part to make your community a better place.
Key Citizenship Vocabulary Words for Your Lesson Plans
Don't worry; we won't stop there! Here are some of the key vocabulary terms that are bound to come up during your lessons and meanings you can share with your students!
Community
You don't have citizenship without community. This is the word for a group of people living in the same place who share common interests, values, and goals.
Rules
Good citizenship involves following rules or guidelines that help make the community safe and keep things fair.
Laws
US citizenship involves following laws. These are the rules of our country and our communities that are made by the government and enforced by the police and the courts.
Respect
Respect is treating others how you want to be treated, being polite and kind and valuing differences between people.
Responsibility
Responsibility could be defined as being dependable and reliable, doing what you should do and being accountable for your actions. These are all key to good citizenship.
Fairness
Fairness is treating everyone equally and giving people what they deserve based on their actions and needs.
Diversity
The American melting pot is full of diversity — differences in people's backgrounds, cultures, beliefs and abilities.
Equality
Giving everyone the same rights, opportunities, and treatment regardless of their differences is equality.
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The Election Process – Classroom Poster
A poster to display in the classroom when teaching about the election process and voting.
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Election Day Mini Book
Learn about Election Day in the United States with a printable election book for early readers.
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What Do Good Citizens Do? Matching Activity
Teach the roles and responsibilities of good citizens with a scenario matching cut and paste worksheet.
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Election Day Writing Craftivity
Learn about Election Day, the voting process, and procedural text with an election-themed writing and craft activity.
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Classroom Mock Election Templates
A set of posters, interview questions, and a class ballot to use in a mock election or class election.
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Identifying Community Helpers Worksheets
Engage kindergarten and first-grade students in identifying community helpers with a pair of worksheets.
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Election Day - Poster Project
Demonstrate learning about Election Day in the United States with a printable Election Day poster template.
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Election Day Alphabetical Order Worksheet
Review terms surrounding Election Day with an alphabetical order worksheet.
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Navajo Code Talkers Constructed Response Worksheet
Discover the impact of the Navajo Code Talkers on the outcome of World War II with a cross-curricular constructed response worksheet.
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Pledge to the Texas Flag - Poster
A poster with the words to the Pledge to the Texas Flag.
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Inspirational Woman Profile: Malala Yousafzai – Comprehension Worksheet
A comprehension task to use when learning about Malala Yousafzai.
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Compare and Contrast Worksheets - The Texas State Flag v. The American Flag
Compare and contrast the Texas state flag and the United States’ flag using a reading comprehension passage and Venn diagram worksheet.
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Roles and Responsibilities of Good Citizens Flip Book
Discover what good citizens do with citizenship roles and responsibilities flip book activity.
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How to Be a Good Citizen - Sorting Center
Grow a new batch of good citizens with a citizenship sorting activity.
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Constitution Day Activity - Bill of Rights Banner
Help your students understand their citizens’ rights with a Constitution Day Bill of Rights Pennant Banner project.
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Texas Flag Facts - Reading Comprehension Worksheet
Boost reading comprehension skills and knowledge of facts about the Texas State flag with a printable reading comprehension worksheet.
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American Hero Triorama Project
Identify and encourage research into notable American and Texan heroes with a triorama project.
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America's Heroes - Heroes in History Sorting Activity
Identify and encourage further research into notable American and Texan heroes with a cut and paste sorting activity.
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Election Word Wall Cards – Election Vocabulary
A ballot-themed word wall template to use for teaching election vocabulary.
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Election Words - Election Vocabulary Word Wall Cards
Printable election-related vocabulary word wall for teaching election vocabulary.
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All About Firefighters - Fire Safety Writing and Craft Activity
Craft a firefighter-themed bulletin board this Fire Prevention Week with a writing and craft activity.
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Community Helpers: Police Officer – Comprehension Worksheet
Kick off a study of community helpers with a decodable police officer reading passage and comprehension worksheet.
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Match It! Community Helpers Activity
Engage kindergarten and first-grade students in identifying community helpers and the tools they use with a matching activity.
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Theodore Roosevelt Constructed Response Worksheet
Teach your students about Theodore Roosevelt with this printable biographical constructed response worksheet.
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Sojourner Truth Constructed Response Worksheet
Learn facts about Sojourner Truth with an informational reading passage and writing activity for third grade and up.
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Good Citizens Charades - Role Play Activity
Teach your social studies class about being a good citizen with a game of Citizenship Charades!
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Traits of Good Citizens - Exit Tickets
Assess and analyze student understanding of what makes a good citizen with a set of 20 exit tickets.
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Traits of Good Citizens Matching Activity
Identify and match characteristics of good citizens with a vocabulary-building exercise.
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Good Citizens Around Town Sorting Activity
Discover how to be a good citizen at home, school, and community with citizenship for kids sorting activity.
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How to be a Good Citizen - Problem Solving Activity
Build good citizenship behaviors and enhance problem-solving skills with a task card writing activity.
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My Nobel Peace Prize – Upper Grades
Encourage students to think about how they could make the world a better place with our Nobel Peace Prize writing template.