Civic Responsibility: Building Our Community
Created byKatherine Fredrickson
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Civic Responsibility: Building Our Community

Grade 2Social Studies4 days
In this project, second-grade students explore the concept of community and their roles as responsible citizens. Through activities like creating a community time capsule, designing 'Citizen Superheroes,' and mapping their community, students learn about different community types and the responsibilities of citizenship. The project culminates in students proposing and designing a project to contribute to their community's well-being, fostering a sense of civic responsibility and community engagement. Students also write letters to community helpers expressing their gratitude.
CommunityCitizenshipResponsibilityCommunity HelpersCivic EngagementContributionMapping
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as responsible citizens, contribute to the well-being of our diverse communities?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What is a community?
  • What are the different types of communities?
  • What is a citizen?
  • What are the roles and responsibilities of a citizen?
  • How can citizens contribute to their community?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will define community and identify different types of communities.
  • Students will understand the role and responsibilities of a citizen.
  • Students will explore ways citizens can contribute to their community.
  • Students will propose and design a project to contribute to the well-being of their community.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Community Time Capsule

As a class, create a time capsule representing your community today. Students select items and write letters to future citizens, prompting reflection on their current roles and hopes for the future.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Citizen Superheroes

Students will explore the roles and responsibilities of a citizen by creating a 'Citizen Superhero.' This activity encourages students to think about positive actions they can take to help their community.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Discuss the qualities of a good citizen (e.g., helpful, respectful, responsible).
2. Design a 'Citizen Superhero' who embodies these qualities.
3. Write a short story about how your superhero helps someone in the community.
4. Share your superhero and story with the class.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA drawing or model of a 'Citizen Superhero' with a short story illustrating their positive actions within the community.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will understand the role and responsibilities of a citizen.
Activity 2

Community Contribution Challenge

Students will propose and design a small project to contribute to their community. This activity allows students to apply their understanding of citizenship and community needs in a practical way.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Identify a problem or need in your community (e.g., litter in the park, lack of books in the classroom).
2. Brainstorm possible solutions to the problem.
3. Design a project to address the problem, including materials needed and steps to take.
4. Create a presentation or poster to share your project idea with the class.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed proposal for a community contribution project, including a description of the problem, proposed solution, and steps for implementation.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will propose and design a project to contribute to the well-being of their community.
Activity 3

A Letter to a Community Helper

Students will write a thank-you letter to a community helper, expressing their appreciation for the helper's contributions. This activity reinforces the idea that many people contribute to the well-being of a community.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Discuss different types of community helpers (e.g., firefighters, police officers, teachers, librarians).
2. Choose a community helper to write a thank-you letter to.
3. Write a letter expressing your appreciation for the helper's work and explaining how their work benefits the community.
4. Decorate your letter and deliver it to the community helper (with permission from the helper and parents/guardians).

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA handwritten thank-you letter to a community helper, expressing appreciation for their contributions and explaining the benefits of their work.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will explore ways citizens can contribute to their community.
Activity 4

My Community Map

Students will create a map of their local community, identifying key locations and landmarks. This activity helps students understand the physical aspects of their community and their place within it.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Brainstorm places in your community (e.g., school, park, library, fire station).
2. Draw a simple map of your community, including roads, buildings, and natural features.
3. Label important locations on your map.
4. Write a short paragraph describing what makes your community special.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA colorful and labeled map of the student's local community, with a paragraph describing its unique characteristics.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will define community and identify different types of communities.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Community Explorers Portfolio Rubric - Grade 2

Category 1

Understanding of Community

Demonstrates understanding of what a community is, its different types, and its unique characteristics.
Criterion 1

Defining Community

Ability to define the concept of 'community' and identify its key components.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides a comprehensive and nuanced definition of community, accurately identifying diverse community types and their interconnectedness.

Proficient
3 Points

Defines community accurately and identifies several different types of communities with clear examples.

Developing
2 Points

Provides a basic definition of community but struggles to identify different types or provide clear examples.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to define community and cannot identify different types of communities.

Criterion 2

Community Mapping

Accuracy and detail in mapping the local community, including key landmarks and unique features.

Exemplary
4 Points

Creates a detailed and accurate map of the community, including all key locations, landmarks, and unique features. Map is visually appealing and well-organized.

Proficient
3 Points

Creates an accurate map of the community, including most key locations and landmarks. Map is generally clear and easy to understand.

Developing
2 Points

Creates a basic map of the community, but some key locations or landmarks are missing or inaccurately placed. Map may be difficult to understand.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to create a map of the community, with many locations missing or inaccurately placed. Map is difficult to understand.

Category 2

Citizenship and Responsibility

Demonstrates understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a citizen and explores ways to contribute to the community.
Criterion 1

Qualities of a Good Citizen

Identification and embodiment of the qualities of a good citizen through the 'Citizen Superhero' activity.

Exemplary
4 Points

Clearly articulates and embodies multiple qualities of a good citizen in the 'Citizen Superhero,' demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of civic responsibility and creatively portraying these qualities in the story.

Proficient
3 Points

Identifies and embodies several qualities of a good citizen in the 'Citizen Superhero,' with a clear story illustrating their positive actions.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies some qualities of a good citizen, but the connection to the 'Citizen Superhero' or their actions may be unclear.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify the qualities of a good citizen and the 'Citizen Superhero' does not demonstrate these qualities.

Criterion 2

Community Contribution

Thoughtfulness and feasibility of the proposed community contribution project.

Exemplary
4 Points

Proposes a highly thoughtful, creative, and feasible community contribution project that addresses a significant community need. Proposal demonstrates exceptional planning and consideration of potential impact.

Proficient
3 Points

Proposes a feasible community contribution project that addresses a real community need. Proposal includes clear steps for implementation.

Developing
2 Points

Proposes a community contribution project, but the need or feasibility may be unclear. Proposal may lack detail.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to propose a community contribution project or the proposed project is unrealistic or unrelated to community needs.

Criterion 3

Appreciation of Community Helpers

Expression of appreciation for community helpers and understanding of their contributions.

Exemplary
4 Points

Writes a heartfelt and insightful letter to a community helper, expressing sincere appreciation and clearly explaining the significant benefits of their work to the community with specific examples.

Proficient
3 Points

Writes a thank-you letter to a community helper, expressing appreciation for their contributions and explaining how their work benefits the community.

Developing
2 Points

Writes a basic thank-you letter to a community helper, but the expression of appreciation or explanation of benefits may be limited.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to write a thank-you letter to a community helper or express appreciation for their work.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

How has your understanding of what it means to be a citizen changed during this project?

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Question 2

What was the most challenging part of designing your community contribution project, and how did you overcome it?

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Question 3

On a scale of 1 to 5, how connected do you feel to your community now compared to before this project?

Scale
Required
Question 4

Which activity (Citizen Superheroes, Community Contribution Challenge, Letter to a Community Helper, My Community Map) helped you learn the most about your community?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Citizen Superheroes
Community Contribution Challenge
Letter to a Community Helper
My Community Map
Question 5

What is one thing you can do to continue contributing to your community in the future?

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Required