Welcome to Our Growing in Citizenship in Second Grade Homeschool Social Studies Course

Course Sample for Our Growing in Citizenship in Second Grade Homeschool Social Studies Course

Lesson 1: Communities

Everyone is part of a community. Community means a group of people who have certain things in common. Some communities you may be part of include your nuclear family (parents, brothers, and sisters), extended family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins), neighborhood, school, church, sports, and other activity groups. Being part of a community has privileges that allow you to take part in the community and its activities as well as responsibilities and rules that help you contribute to your community.

• Learn more about community by accessing World Book Online library “Social Studies Power.” Select “Community and Government” and then choose “Community.” The links on the next page—”Introduction” to through “Serving the Community”—can be read on your own or you can follow along while a narrator reads the words.
• What are some communities you belong to? List them using the graphic organizer provided in the “Extension Activities.” Add more if necessary.

Lesson 2: What is a citizen?

A citizen is a member of a community such as a town, city, state, nation, or country. These communities have a government which rules them. Most people become citizens of a nation by being born there. Being part of a community is not always the same as being a citizen. Non-citizens may have joined their community after moving from a different place.

Citizens have certain rights. Rights are things you are allowed to do that will be protected by law. Rights may include the ability to live and speak freely. Another right is the ability to take part in government. Citizens also have duties. Duties are things citizens are required to do.

Learn about citizenship in your community.

Make a booklet about citizenship in your town or city. Learn about the local form of government and names of officials, such as mayor. Which laws protect you as a citizen? Which laws require you to contribute to the good of the community? What services are provided?