OCB_L7_Journal Preview

Lesson 7

Making Communities Better How do people improve their communities?

© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

Lesson 7 Making Communities Better

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Introduction Our communities bring us many good things. They are full of diverse people and interesting places. But communities have problems, too. When people see these problems, they can help solve them. Every person has a chance to improve their community. Just one person can make a big difference.

Vocabulary boycott citizenship common good disabilities strike

In this lesson, you will learn why helping to improve your community is an important part of being a good citizen. You will learn how improving your community benefits everyone who lives in it.

You will also read about six people who set out to solve problems in their own communities. Other people did not always like what these six people did at first.

But in the end, these people each made their community a better place to live. Their work also helped people in many other places. What problems do you see in your community?

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Lesson 7 Making Communities Better

These kids are cleaning up their local park. By cleaning up the park, they are improving their community.

© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

1. Good Citizens Help Their Community You are part of a community in the United States. It is important that you help out your community. This is part of good citizenship.

All people in our country should practice good citizenship.

To be a good citizen, you should treat your classmates with respect.

There are many things you can do every day to be a good citizen. You should treat everyone around you with respect. No matter how they look or act, all your classmates are equals. You must treat them this way at all times.

The United States has laws that you have to follow. These laws tell you that you cannot steal or try to hurt other people. If you see someone breaking a law, it is your job either to stop them or to tell someone else. © Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

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As you grow older, you will gain more responsibilities. One day, you may have a family to support. For this reason, you should work hard in school. When you get a job, you should do your best at it. One day, you will also be old enough to vote. Voting is another way to contribute to the community.

You should do your part in keeping the common good. The common good is what is best for everyone in your community. Keeping your community clean is one example of contributing to the common good. When someone litters, everyone is affected.

These are some of the things that all people of the United States have a responsibility to do.

But some people go above and beyond these duties to make their community a better place.

You will read about six people who practiced excellent citizenship.

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Volunteering is one way to practice good citizenship.

These people are helping their community by building a house.

© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

Preview Activity Activity Online

Listen carefully to the story about Rosa Parks.

Think of words that could go on a plaque for the Rosa Parks monument. Write them in the spaces below.

Rosa Parks What did she do to improve her community?

When did she do this?

In what ways was she a good citizen?

© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

Lesson 7 Making Communities Better

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