Reading Comprehension · Civic Values
Good Citizenship
A reading lesson about the six rules of good citizenship — sharing, responsibility, community involvement, honesty, friendship, and treating everyone with respect — that apply at home, at school, and everywhere.
Subject
Reading Comprehension
Grade Level
Grades 3–6
Format
Lesson + Printable PDF
Access
Full Member
The Six Rules of Good Citizenship
It is important to understand the rules of good citizenship. These rules help you in school, at home, and everywhere you go. You should use these rules in your everyday life because they deal with sharing, helping people, and being a good person. There are six rules to being a good citizen no matter where you live or who you are with.
Rule One — Sharing. Good citizens always share their things if someone needs something. If you are able to offer a helping hand by sharing what you have, you should. Sharing is a quality that people notice in others. People who share are liked by most people they meet. The ability to give freely is one of the most important qualities in a person.
Rule Two — Being Responsible. Responsible people are good citizens because people can count on them. If you are responsible, the teacher might ask for your help because they know they can count on you. This is important because if you want to be a good citizen you have to be someone a person can count on in their time of need.
Community, Honesty, Friendship, and Respect
Rule Three — Working with the Community. Volunteering is when you offer to give your time to help make the world a better place. There are many ways a person can volunteer — stuffing envelopes, delivering meals, picking up litter in a park, or helping a neighbor. When you volunteer, you show that you care about more than just yourself. Communities grow stronger when citizens participate.
Rule Four — Being Honest. An honest person tells the truth even when it is hard to do so. Honesty builds trust. When you are honest with friends, family, and teachers, they know they can believe what you say. Rule Five — Making Friends. People need to know that you like them and that you are able to share, tell the truth, and help them if they need you. In return, your friends will do the same for you. Building real friendships takes time and effort, but the reward is a lasting connection.
Rule Six — Treat Everyone with Respect. It does not matter if someone is rich or poor, what they look like, or how they are different from you — everyone deserves to be treated with respect. If you see someone who is different from you, that does not mean anything is wrong with them. Respecting differences makes communities welcoming for everyone. When you practice all six rules together, you become the kind of citizen your school, your neighborhood, and your country can count on.
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