- NC Essential Standards:
- 4.C&G.2.1 Analyze the preamble and articles of the North Carolina Constitution in terms of rights and responsibilities.
- 4.C&G.2.2 Give examples of rights and responsibilities of citizens according to North Carolina Constitution.
- 4.C&G.2.3 Differentiate between rights and responsibilities reflected in the North Carolina Constitution.
Grade Level: / 4th
Summative Performance Task / Debate about which right or responsibility is the most important and explain why using evidence from what we have learned.
Government
Compelling Question:Can citizens have rights without responsibilities?
Supporting Question I
Whatare some of the rights and responsibilities of NC citizens? / Supporting Question II
How do our rights/responsibilities in NC compare/ contrast to the rights of other countries? / Supporting Question III
How are rights and responsibilities similar/different??
Historical Sources
Document #1-
Document #2-
Document #3- Preamble of NC
Document #4- Declaration of Rights of NC Constitution
Other resources:
/ Historical Sources
Rights
Document #1-
Document #2-
Other Resources:
For Japan:
Responsibilities
Document #1-
Document #2-
Other Resources:
Video-
/ Historical Sources
Document 1:
Document #2-
Other Sources:
Formative Performance Task I
Ask children to share what they think the rights and responsibilities are of citizens. Read through first document which gives children basic understanding of responsibilities. Then children will look at the website bens guide to the government. Children will read and fill in graphic organizer of citizens rights and responsibilities.
Project the Preamble from the North Carolina. Read it aloud and discuss in groups.
Have children discuss these questions to help guide them in their discussions:
- What does the preamble mean?
- What is the purpose of starting out the NC constitution with the preamble?
- What basic ideas are included in the preamble?
Children will read the documents about rights in other countries. Children will record their findings in a three ring Venn diagram. They will read rights from India and China’s constitution and compare them to NC’s.
Children will read the documents about responsibilities in other countries. Children will record their findings in a three ring Venn diagram. They will read responsibilities from Japan and Canada and compare to citizens in the US. / Formative Performance Task III
Children will read both documents. They will fill in a venn diagram to compare rights and responsibilities. Children will use this to then write a comparison paragraph that shows the comparison between rights and responsibilities. They can also use the t-chart from supporting question #1 to write this paragraph.
Supporting question IV: What happens when rights/responsibilities are violated?
Historical Sources:
Document 1:
Video about Jim Crow laws-
Powerpoint-
Document #2
NC Jim Crow laws
Other Resources:
Formative Task IV:
Children will watch short clip and view powerpointabout Jim Crow laws so they have an understanding of what they are. They will take notes on the Jim Crow Laws. Then they will read through in small groups the 23 Jim Crow laws in NC. After this, they will use notes to summarize what happens when rights/ responsibilities are taken away and if this is right.
Summative Performance Task:
Children can debate about which right or responsibility is the most important and explain why using evidence from what we have learned.
SUPPORTING QUESTION 1- What are the rights and responsibilities of our citizens? / SOURCE A
SUPPORTING QUESTION 1- / SOURCE B
Use this so children can research the rights and responsibilities of citizens:
Graphic organizer
Rights and Responsibilities as Citizens of North CarolinaRights / Responsibilities
SUPPORTING QUESTION 1 / SOURCE C
From The North Carolina Constitution- Preamble:
"We, the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for the preservation of the American Union and the existence of our civil, political and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those blessings to us and our posterity, do, for the more certain security thereof and for the better government of this State, ordain and establish this Constitution."
SUPPORTING QUESTION 1 / SOURCE DDocument#2- ARTICLE I- DECLARATION OF RIGHTS- Revised
That the great, general, and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, and that the relations of this State to the Union and government of the United States and those of the people of this State to the rest of the American people may be defined and affirmed, we do declare that:
Section 1. The equality and rights of persons.
We hold it to be self-evident that all persons are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, the enjoyment of the fruits of their own labor, and the pursuit of happiness.
Sec. 2. Sovereignty of the people.
All political power is vested in and derived from the people; all government of right originates from the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the whole.
Sec. 3. Internal government of the State.
The people of this State have the inherent, sole, and exclusive right of regulating the internal government and police thereof, and of altering or abolishing their Constitution and form of government whenever it may be necessary to their safety and happiness; but every such right shall be exercised in pursuance of law and consistently with the Constitution of the United States.
Sec. 4. Secession prohibited.
This State shall ever remain a member of the American Union; the people thereof are part of the American nation; there is no right on the part of this State to secede; and all attempts, from whatever source or upon whatever pretext, to dissolve this Union or to sever this Nation, shall be resisted with the whole power of the State.
Sec. 5. Allegiance to the United States.
Every citizen of this State owes paramount allegiance to the Constitution and government of the United States, and no law or ordinance of the State in contravention or subversion thereof can have any binding force.
Sec. 6. Separation of powers.
The legislative, executive, and supreme judicial powers of the State government shall be forever separate and distinct from each other.
Sec. 7. Suspending laws.
All power of suspending laws or the execution of laws by any authority, without the consent of the representatives of the people, is injurious to their rights and shall not be exercised.
Sec. 8. Representation and taxation.
The people of this State shall not be taxed or made subject to the payment of any impost or duty without the consent of themselves or their representatives in the General Assembly, freely given.
Sec. 9. Frequent elections.
For redress of grievances and for amending and strengthening the laws, elections shall be often held.
Sec. 10. Free elections.
All elections shall be free.
Sec. 11. Property qualifications.
As political rights and privileges are not dependent upon or modified by property, no property qualification shall affect the right to vote or hold office.
Sec. 12. Right of assembly and petition.
The people have a right to assemble together to consult for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and to apply to the General Assembly for redress of grievances; but secret political societies are dangerous to the liberties of a free people and shall not be tolerated.
Sec. 13. Religious liberty.
All persons have a natural and inalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences, and no human authority shall, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience.
Sec. 14. Freedom of speech and press.
Freedom of speech and of the press are two of the great bulwarks of liberty and therefore shall never be restrained, but every person shall be held responsible for their abuse.
Sec. 15. Education.
The people have a right to the privilege of education, and it is the duty of the State to guard and maintain that right.
Sec. 17. Slavery and involuntary servitude.
Slavery is forever prohibited. Involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the parties have been adjudged guilty, is forever prohibited.
Sec. 18. Court shall be open.
All courts shall be open; every person for an injury done him in his lands, goods, person, or reputation shall have remedy by due course of law; and right and justice shall be administered without favor, denial, or delay.
Sec. 19. Law of the land; equal protection of the laws.
No person shall be taken, imprisoned, or disseized of his freehold, liberties, or privileges, or outlawed, or exiled, or in any manner deprived of his life, liberty, or property, but by the law of the land. No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws; nor shall any person be subjected to discrimination by the State because of race, color, religion, or national origin.
Sec. 23. Rights of accused.
In all criminal prosecutions, every person charged with crime has the right to be informed of the accusation and to confront the accusers and witnesses with other testimony, and to have counsel for defense, and not be compelled to give self-incriminating evidence, or to pay costs, jail fees, or necessary witness fees of the defense, unless found guilty.
Sec. 24. Right of jury trial in criminal cases.
No person shall be convicted of any crime but by the unanimous verdict of a jury in open court. The General Assembly may, however, provide for other means of trial for misdemeanors, with the right of appeal for trial de novo.
Sec. 25. Right of jury trial in civil cases.
In all controversies at law respecting property, the ancient mode of trial by jury is one of the best securities of the rights of the people, and shall remain sacred and inviolable.
Sec. 26. Jury service.
No person shall be excluded from jury service on account of sex, race, color, religion, or national origin.
Sec. 27. Bail, fines, and punishments.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel or unusual punishments inflicted.
Sec. 28. Imprisonment for debt.
There shall be no imprisonment for debt in this State, except in cases of fraud.
Sec. 29. Treason against the State.
Treason against the State shall consist only of levying war against it or adhering to its enemies by giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court. No conviction of treason or attainder shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture.
Sec. 30. Militia and the right to bear arms.
A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed; and, as standing armies in time of peace are dangerous to liberty, they shall not be maintained, and the military shall be kept under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power. Nothing herein shall justify the practice of carrying concealed weapons, or prevent the General Assembly from enacting penal statutes against that practice.
Sec. 31. Quartering of soldiers.
No soldier shall in time of peace be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war but in a manner prescribed by law.
SUPPORTING QUESTION 2- How do our rights/responsibilities in NC compare/ contrast to the rights/responsibilities of other countries? / SOURCE AThe eight fundamental rights recognized by the Indian constitution are:[1]
- Right to equality: Which includes equality before law, prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, gender or place of birth, and equality of opportunity in matters of employment, abolition of untouchability and abolition of titles.
2. Right to freedom: Which includes speech and expression, assembly, association or union or cooperatives, movement, residence, and right to practice any profession or occupation (some of these rights are subject to security of the State, friendly relations with foreign countries, public order, decency or morality), right to life and liberty, right to education, protection in respect to conviction in offences and protection against arrest and detention in certain cases.
3. Right against exploitation: Which prohibits all forms of forced labour, child labour and traffic of human beings;
4. Right to freedom of religion: Which includes freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion, freedom to manage religious affairs, freedom from certain taxes and freedom from religious instructions in certain educational institutes.
5. Cultural and Educational rights: Preserve the right of any section of citizens to conserve their culture, language or script, and right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
6. Right to constitutional remedies: Which is present for enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
7. Right to elementary education: Which implies that any child between the age of 6 to 14 should and can be educated.
8. Right to Information.
SUPPORTING QUESTION 2 / SOURCE B
From China’s Constitution
1. Equality. The 1982 version restored the stipulations of the 1954 Constitution that "All citizens of the People's Republic of China are equal before the law," which is absent in the 1975 and 1978 Constitution.
2. The right to vote and stand for election.
3. Freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration.
4. Freedom of religious belief, which appear in all the previous constitutions, different only on the way of expression. The 1954 Constitution stipulated: "Citizens have the freedom of religious beliefs." The 1975 and 1978 versions stipulated: "Citizens have the freedom of religious beliefs and the freedom of not believing in religion and of disseminating atheism." The current Constitution has deleted the "freedom of not believing in religion and of disseminating atheism" and instead added the rendition "No state organ, public organization or individual may compel citizens to believe in, or not to believe in, any religion; nor may they discriminate against citizens who believe in, or do not believe in, any religion. The state protects normal religious activities."
5. Inviolability of the freedom of person. The current Constitution stipulates that "No citizen shall be arrested except with the approval or by decision of a people's procuratorate or by decision of a people's court, and arrests must be made by a public security organ" and adds the words "Unlawful deprivation or restriction of citizens' freedom of the person by detention or other means is prohibited; and unlawful search of the person of citizens is prohibited," which are absent in all the previous constitutions as it draws on the lessons during what is known as the "Cultural Revolution".
6. Inviolability of the personal dignity. The Constitution stipulates: "The personal dignity of citizens of the People's Republic of China is inviolable. Insult, libel, false charge or frame-up directed against citizens by any means is prohibited." This stipulation is also absent in the previous versions as it draws on the lessons from the "Cultural Revolution."
7. Inviolability of residence. The current Constitution stipulates: "The residences of citizens of the People's Republic of China are inviolable. Unlawful search of, or intrusion into, a citizen's residence is prohibited."
8. Protection of the freedom and privacy of correspondence. The Constitution stipulates: "No organization or individual shall, on any ground, infringe upon the freedom and privacy of citizens' correspondence, except in cases where, to meet the needs of state security or of investigation into criminal offences, public security or procuratorial organs are permitted to censor correspondence in accordance with procedures prescribed by law."
9. Right to criticize and make suggestions, complaints and accusation. The Constitution stipulates: "Citizens of the People's Republic of China have the right to criticize and make suggestions to any state organ or functionary. Citizens have the right to make to relevant state organs complaints and charges against, or exposures of, violation of the law or dereliction of duty by any state organ or functionary; but fabrication or distortion of facts with the intention of libel or frame-up is prohibited. In case of complaints, charges or exposures made by citizens, the state organ concerned must deal with them in a responsible manner after ascertaining the facts. No one may suppress such complaints, charges and exposures, or retaliate against the citizens making them. Citizens who have suffered losses through infringement of their civil rights by any state organ or functionary have the right to compensation in accordance with the law."
10. Right to work. This is where the socialist constitution is superior to that of capitalism.
11. Right to rest. The current Constitution not only provides the right of laborer to work but also stipulates: "The state expands facilities for rest and recuperation of working people, and prescribes working hours and vacations for workers and staff."
12. Right to material assistance. The Constitution provides that four kinds of people enjoy such rights. They are: people who are aged, ill or disabled; disabled members of the armed forces; families of martyrs and military personnel; and blind, deaf-mute and other handicapped citizens.
13. Right to private property. Private property mainly refers to the means of production, also includes means of subsistence. The current Constitution has not listed the right to private property in Chapter II "The Fundamental Rights and Duties of Citizens." Instead, it has articles acknowledging and protecting private property of the citizens in Chapter I "General Principles." The 1999 revised version puts it in Article 11, which reads: 'The state protects the lawful rights and interests of the self-employed and private sector of the economy" and Article 13, which reads: "The state protects the right of citizens to own lawfully earned income, savings, houses and other lawful property. The state protects by law the right of citizens to inherit private property."
14. Right to education. The Constitution establishes the right of citizens to education and also stipulates: "The state promotes the all-round moral, intellectual and physical development of children and young people."
15. Freedom of cultural activities. The Constitution provides: "Citizens of the People's Republic of China have the freedom to engage in scientific research, literary and artistic creation and other cultural pursuits. The state encourages and assists creative endeavors conducive to the interests of the people made by citizens engaged in education, science, technology, literature, art and other cultural work."
16. Women's rights. The Constitution stipulates: "Women in the People's Republic of China enjoy equal rights with men in all spheres of life, political, economic, cultural and social, and family life. The state protects the rights and interests of women, applies the principle of equal pay for equal work for men and women alike and trains and selects cadres from among women."
17. Rights of overseas Chinese. The current Constitution stipulates: "The People's Republic of China protects the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals residing abroad and protects the lawful rights and interests of returned overseas Chinese and of the family members of Chinese nationals residing abroad."
18. Other rights. The current Constitution stipulates: "Marriage, the family, and mother and child are protected by the state." "Maltreatment of old people, women and children is prohibited."