Government · Week 5 · Foundations, Rights, and Citizenship
My Rights, Your Rights
Exploring why enjoying one's own rights requires respecting the rights of others, then deciding how to act fairly when two people's freedoms collide.
- Students will
- Students describe the reciprocity between rights and obligations and explain why enjoying one's own rights requires respecting the rights of others, using a neutral school example and civic virtues.
- SEL skill
- Weigh consequences for each person before choosing a fair solution
- What it looks like
- Students make a fair, caring decision when two people's freedoms collide by weighing consequences for everyone involved.
- Content focus
- My rights, your rights
- Format
- Small group problem-solving
Responsible decision-making
Responsible decision-making means choosing caring, constructive actions by thinking about ethics, safety, and the consequences for everyone involved. More responsible decision-making activities
What you get
A teacher guide with what to say, step by step, plus student pages and a supports page for students with diverse learning needs, including those with IEPs. Print or Project it, or assign it in Google Forms and Google Docs for Google Classroom. Your first 10 activities are free.
Standards
- 12.2.5: CA History Social Science Content Standard, Grade 12: Principles of American Democracy (standard 12.2, item 5)
- CA HSS Analysis Skill: CST1 Compare the present with the past, evaluating the consequences of past events and decisions and the activities learned. (Chronological and Spatial Thinking)
- C3 Framework (national): D2.Civ.7.9-12 Apply civic virtues and democratic principles when working with others.
- Literacy in history: WHST.11-12.1 Write arguments focused on discipline specific content.
Fits these textbook chapters
- Government Alive! Power, Politics, and You, Chapter 5: The Bill of Rights and Civil Liberties
- Government Alive! Power, Politics, and You, Chapter 7: Citizen Participation in a Democracy
- United States Government and Civics, Chapter 15: Constitutional Freedoms
- Magruder's American Government, Chapter 19: Civil Liberties: First Amendment Freedoms
- Magruder's American Government, Chapter 21: Civil Rights: Equal Justice Under the Law
Textbook names are used only to help you find activities that fit what you teach. RoseThread Connect is not affiliated with these publishers.
More responsible decision-making activities for Government
- When Levels of Government Disagree Responsible decision-makingAnalyzing how conflicts between state and federal authority are resolved through courts and negotiation and practicing fair steps for resolving a conflict between classmates.
- Many Ways to Be Heard Responsible decision-makingExploring voting, petitioning, lobbying, and peaceful assembly as lawful paths to influence and choosing a respectful way to raise one's own voice.
- Direct Democracy in California Responsible decision-makingReading the official arguments for and against a past California ballot measure in a structured academic controversy, then practicing decisions that weigh evidence over first reactions.
Previous: Rights That Belong to Everyone · Next: Duties of a Citizen
RoseThread Connect activities are drafted with the help of AI and shaped by educators. Students never have to share anything personal. Our five SEL skills are informed by CASEL's SEL Framework; RoseThread Learning is not affiliated with or endorsed by CASEL.