Civic Action Slides GED Social Studies
CITIZEN
DUTY
Understanding Community Responsibility and Civic Impact
Unit 4: Civics
The Social Contract
Community responsibility is the obligation of an individual to contribute to the well-being of their community.
"The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members."
— Coretta Scott King
Active Participation
Engaging in local events and decision-making.
Ethical Conduct
Following laws and treating neighbors with respect.
Mutual Support
Helping those in need within your neighborhood.
Spheres of Influence
Where does your responsibility start and end?
Personal
The choices you make daily: recycling, voting, obeying local ordinances, and modeling civic behavior.
Neighborhood
Supporting local businesses, attending town halls, and participating in neighborhood watch or clean-ups.
National
Understanding the Constitution, paying taxes, and serving on a jury when summoned.
Civic Responsibility in Action
Please provide a YouTube URL to embed the GED focus video here.
[Video Content Pending URL]
While we wait for the video, consider this: How does one person's small action create a ripple effect in a city of thousands?
Citizen Choice
We are about to play a game of scenarios. In each situation, you must decide how to balance personal interest with community responsibility.
Critical Thinking
Class Debate
Citizen Choice Game Citizen Choice
A Community Responsibility Simulation
GED SOCIAL STUDIES / CIVICS
Analyze real-world scenarios and determine the most responsible path for community well-being.
Can be played individually or in small discussion groups.
Student Name
Date
How to Play
Read each Citizen Scenario card carefully.
Review the Action Options provided.
Select the option that best reflects Community Responsibility .
In the Impact Analysis section, explain why your choice benefits the community as a whole.
Scenario 01
The Budget Hearing
Your city is holding a public hearing regarding a proposed 2% property tax increase. This money is earmarked specifically for upgrading local park safety equipment and expanding the after-school library program. You do not have children, but you do own your home.
Option A
Skip the meeting; the tax increase won't affect your daily life much and you don't use the library.
Option B
Attend and speak in favor; better programs and safer parks increase community value and safety for everyone.
Impact Analysis: Why does this choice matter?
Scenario 02
The Pothole Problem
A large, dangerous pothole has formed on the main road leading into your apartment complex. It causes cars to swerve dangerously. Most residents just drive around it and complain to each other, but it has remained there for three weeks.
Option A
Assume the city knows and wait for them to fix it; you pay your taxes, so it's their job to find it.
Option B
Use the city's 311 app to report it and share the link in your neighborhood social media group.
Impact Analysis: Why does this choice matter?
Scenario 03
Jury Duty Notice
You receive a jury summons in the mail for a date that falls during a busy week at your work. You are eligible for a one-time postponement, but you could also just call in "sick" or try to find a loophole to get out of it entirely.
Option A
Actively look for ways to be excused from service so you don't miss work hours or fall behind.
Option B
Request a postponement to a slower week and fulfill the duty as a necessary part of the justice system.
Impact Analysis: Why does this choice matter?
Scenario 04
The New Neighbor
A new family moves in next door. They seem to struggle with the local trash pick-up schedule and often leave bags out on the wrong day, attracting pests. You've lived in the neighborhood for years and know the rules well.
Option A
Call code enforcement or the landlord immediately to report them for violating community standards.
Option B
Introduce yourself and kindly share a printed copy of the city’s trash and recycling schedule.
Impact Analysis: Why does this choice matter?
Citizen Duty Teacher Guide Citizen Duty
Teacher Facilitation Guide
GED SOCIAL STUDIES Civics & Government
Est. Duration
60-90 Minutes
Focus Area
Civic Responsibility
Target Skills
Decision Making & Analysis
Learning Objectives
Define community responsibility within the context of the social contract.
Differentiate between legal duties (jury duty, taxes) and voluntary civic actions .
Analyze the impact of individual choices on the broader community stability and growth.
GED Connection
The GED Social Studies test emphasizes Civics and Government . Students must understand how a citizen interacts with the government and the community.
Standard: Analyze the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
Standard: Evaluate the impact of individual and group action on public policy.
Instructional Sequence
1
Introduction: The Social Contract (Slides 1-3)
Start by defining the "Unwritten Rules" of living together. Use the "Spheres of Influence" slide to show how actions scale from personal to national.
Discussion Prompt: "If everyone in this city stopped voting and stopped reporting crimes, what would happen to our neighborhood in one year?"
2
Visual Learning: Video (Slide 4)
The slide deck includes a placeholder for a video. For GED students, we recommend searching YouTube for "iCivics: Citizenship" or "Khan Academy: Roles and Responsibilities of Citizens."
Note: Focus on videos that contrast legal duties vs. voluntary participation.
3
Application: Citizen Choice Game
Distribute the game document. Students should work through scenarios and defend their choices. After completion, hold a "Town Hall" where students vote on the best options for the community.
Scenario Discussion Guide
Scenario 1: Budget Hearing
Key Point: This highlights "Self-Interest vs. Collective Good." Even without children, the student benefits from a safer, more educated community through property value and lower crime rates.
Scenario 2: The Pothole
Key Point: Community responsibility often involves communication . Assuming "someone else will do it" (The Bystander Effect) leads to community decay.
