Students discover how someone becomes a citizen of the United States, the process of naturalization, and the rights and responsibilities of non-citizen residents. Then they identify the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens and the responsibilities of young people as citizens. Finally, they take a sample "naturalization test" and see how they would do answering questions about U.S. civics.
Students are introduced to the idea that citizenship includes both legal status and broader civic and cultural participation. They read an overview of the experience describing how people become U.S. citizens, what naturalization is, and how rights and responsibilities apply to citizens and noncitizen residents. Students then respond to a word cloud prompt by listing one or more of their personal responsibilities as students and family members, and finally read that they will explore what it means to be a U.S. citizen and the rights and responsibilities that come with citizenship.
Teacher MovesHighlight that the lesson focuses on the legal process of becoming a U.S. citizen while also acknowledging broader ideas of civic and cultural citizenship. Use examples (such as immigrants without legal status who are community leaders and young people engaged in local issues) to show that belonging and participation can extend beyond legal status. Review the lesson objectives and prepare students to connect their personal responsibilities to responsibilities of citizenship.
Students read the Naturalization Oath of Allegiance and an explanation of what it means to be a U.S. citizen. Using the article Citizenship Rights, they learn about the two main paths to citizenship (citizen at birth and naturalization). They complete a table identifying two qualifications that make someone a native-born U.S. citizen, then use a graphic organizer to describe three requirements for applying for citizenship and another organizer to outline the steps in the naturalization process. After reading about the rights of noncitizens in the same article, students complete a drag-and-drop activity labeling examples as rights, responsibilities, or things noncitizens cannot do.
Teacher MovesClarify that a person is a native-born U.S. citizen if they are born in the United States or its territories, or born abroad to U.S. citizen parents. Use this scene to introduce and distinguish the legal rights of citizens and noncitizens under U.S. law, while acknowledging that people without legal citizenship may still participate in and contribute to their communities. Use inclusive language such as noncitizen or immigrant without legal status rather than alien. Prompt students to think critically about why some rights (like voting) are reserved for citizens while others (like due process) apply to everyone in the United States.
Students read Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities to learn about the shared rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens. On a class wall, they identify which listed responsibilities are legally required of citizens. Next, they post to another wall by choosing a responsibility that is not legally required, giving an example of that responsibility, and explaining why it is important. After reading a reminder that responsibilities also apply to young people, students contribute to a word cloud with short phrases describing ways they can meet responsibilities at home, at school, and in their community.
Teacher MovesClarify that citizens are legally required to obey laws, pay taxes, serve on juries, and defend their country. As students share non-required responsibilities, use examples such as voting, respecting others’ beliefs, and participating in community service to illustrate how these actions strengthen democracy and communities. When students brainstorm youth responsibilities, draw attention to their ideas (e.g., respecting classmates, stopping bullying, volunteering, engaging with current issues) to reinforce that young people also practice citizenship through everyday actions.
Students learn that applicants for citizenship must pass a naturalization test that covers U.S. history, civics, and geography, and that they must answer questions orally in English during an interview. They take the online Civics Practice Test to see how they might perform on the civics portion of the naturalization test, then post on a class wall to share their score and/or something that surprised them about the test.
Teacher MovesExplain how the real naturalization test works and emphasize that it is not multiple choice in practice. Invite students to reflect on their scores and surprises to build empathy for immigrants who must prepare for and pass this test. If students are interested, direct them to the full set of 100 questions and answers in Study Materials for the Civics Test for further exploration.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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