Citizen

Soldier
Maya sat at the kitchen counter. Her head
was resting on her hands. Tomorrow night was
the mother-daughter pot luck dinner for her
scout troop. Maya and her mom loved to cook
together. Their favorite weekend activity was
experimenting with new recipes. She wanted
her friends to taste her Out of This World Tacos.
Maya and her mom had created them together.
Whats with the sad face, Maya? asked
Mayas grandmother, Mimi.

DID YOU

KNOW?

Now, you know that

This story is realistic
she volunteered to go
fiction. The actions of
overseas. She is working
the characters in this
in a country that asked
story could happen
in real life.
the United States to help
keep its people safe. In
that country, there are some people who
want to take over their government by using
force. Your Mom is helping the majority of the
people in that country. They want peace. They
want to have elections. Your moms job helps
a lot of people have the freedoms that U.S.
citizens have.
Suddenly, Maya and Mimi heard a bing
on the laptop. This meant that Mom was

I just miss Mom, said Maya, She has

been gone for so long now. Why does she
have to be so far away? What is she doing
over there that is so important anyway?
Mayas mother was a captain in the
U.S. Army. She was serving overseas.
Her tour of duty lasted eighteen months.
She had another six months to go.
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Credits: left, right: Seitu Hayden/Wilkinson Studios, Inc.

available to talk to them. Smiles lit up their

faces as they saw Moms face on the monitor.
Mimi started by saying, Maya doesnt
understand why you are so far away. She wants
you to be here tomorrow night.
Mom pursed her lips and sat quietly for a
moment. She said, Maya, do you remember
watching your twin brothers when they were
just toddlers? Each one had his own ideas. It
was hard for you to get both to listen because
one fought all the time?
Oh yes, I remember! laughed Maya. It was
very frustrating!
Well the country Im in has the same kind
of problem. There are two groups. One group
is trying to get its way by using force. That hurts
other people. When I joined the army, I made
a promise to our country to be a good citizen
and help others. Right now our country needs me
here to help the people who are being attacked.
I hope you can understand.

Me, too, said Mimi, But you know what?

I make mean Out of This World Tacos myself.
I might even share my special ingredient with
you, Maya.
Just then they lost their video connection.
They could only hear Mom say, Have fun
tomorrow night you two. Tell everyone I am
thinking about them.
I guess I can show my own allegiance
to Mom and be a good citizen for my
family and scout troupe. So, what is
that secret ingredient? Avocados?
No.
Bacon?
No.
Chili powder?
 Keep guessing,
laughed Mimi.

Oh I do, Mom. I just miss you so much!

said Maya.

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y
p
p
Pu
e
v
o
L

Nate was delighted. He wanted a puppy, but

his sister had dog allergies. After a while, though,
Mr. Jensen told him to stop playing with Peanut
because they made too much noise.
Now that the weather was getting colder,
Nate could see Peanut was alone in the back
yard a lot. It seemed like Mr. Jensen never
played with Peanut. Nate also noticed that
Peanuts food and water dishes were always
empty. Peanut looked skinny. He didnt run
around like he used to.
Mom, said Nate, I am worried about
Peanut. He doesnt have any shelter to protect
him from the sun or cold. I never see Mr. Jensen
play with him. What should we do?

Nate looked out his bedroom window. He had

a perfect view of his neighbors back yard and
his neighbors new puppy, Peanut. Mr. Jensen
had recently moved to the neighborhood.
He wasnt home very much. In fact, he hadnt
seemed very friendly until today. Mr. Jensen
let Nate play with Peanut right after he brought
him home from the pet store.

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Lets keep an eye on Peanut, Nate, said

Mom. Being good citizens means we care about
others and that applies to animals. We need to
show them respect and we have a responsibility
to make sure their owners follow the laws about
being kind to animals.
Okay, Mom, I will keep an eye out for
Peanut, said Nate.

Credits: left: April Hartmann/Wilkinson Studios, Inc.

DID YOU

KNOW?

Peanuts living conditions

There are many
did not improve. Then one day
ways you can
Nate had to take action. He
volunteer in your
saw Mr. Jensen hit Peanut for
community. Ask an
adult family member
barking too much. Nate told
to help you find a
his Mom what he had seen.
way to serve others.
His mother helped him call the
Department of Animal Control.
The dispatcher told Nates mom that they would
send someone out immediately.
Officer Clark talked to Nate and his Mom and
they explained how Mr. Jensen treated Peanut.
I think Peanut deserves a better home,
said Officer Clark. We need to help Mr. Jensen
follow the rules we have set up for animals in our
community. I will talk to him about Peanut.
Because of Peanuts living conditions, Animal
Control took Peanut away from Mr. Jensen.
Officer Clark placed Peanut in an animal shelter
that volunteers operated in town. Here Peanut
received food, water, exercise and, of course, love.

taught him about being responsible

and respectful to the animals and
the volunteers who worked there.
About a month after Peanut came to the
shelter, a kind family came looking for a pet. Nate
just happened to be working. He introduced the
family to Peanut. Peanuts tail didnt stop wagging
as each family member hugged him or tossed a
ball to him. When the family asked if they could
adopt Peanut, Nate smiled. He told the shelters
director that he thought they would be perfect
for Peanut.
Before Nate said goodbye to Peanut, he
gave him a hug and said, Thank you, Peanut, for
teaching me that I have a responsibility to care
about others. Even the ones who bark and wag
their tails!

Best of all, Nate was inspired to become a

volunteer at the animal shelter. His work there

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Jury Duty

he said to his wife, Sybil, and his daughter, Emma.

I am too busy at work. I cant take time off.
Well, I would be proud to serve on a jury,
said Sybil. It is my responsibility as a citizen
to make sure people follow laws. When people
break laws, they must face the consequence
for their actions.
Also, serving on a jury helps others, doesnt
it? Emma asked. It helps the people who were
hurt by the lawbreaker get justice, doesnt it?
Youre both right, Gary said. However,
I have responsibilities at work, too.

Has the jury reached a decision? asked

the judge.

We have your Honor, said Gary, the

jury foreman.
Gary had received his summons to serve
on a jury about a month earlier. When he first
saw it in his mailbox, his heart sank. Serving
on a jury is about the last thing I want to do,
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Youre always busy, Emma insisted. Isnt it

our job as citizens to make sure that others are
respectful of each other? Emma asked. We
all need to follow the rules. Serving on a jury
is a great way to help make sure that others
do that, Dad!
You two are right.
I should be proud to be
asked to do it, said Gary.
A month later, Gary
sat with other adults

DID YOU

KNOW?
Jurors are randomly
selected from voter or
driver registration lists
in each county.

Credits: left: Karel Hayes/Wilkinson Studios, Inc.

waiting to see if theyd be chosen to serve on a

jury. When his name was called, Gary answered
questions from two different lawyers. Then he was
asked to join a jury with eleven other people.
For the next three days, Gary and the rest
of the jury listened to a case about someone
who had stolen money from someone else.
He took notes while he listened to witnesses.
Sometimes if a witness got angry while talking,
the judge would bang her gavel. The judge made
sure that people were respectful. Finally, the
judge told the jury that it was time for them
to make a decision about all of the information
they had just heard.

A majority of the other jurors voted for

Gary to be the foreman, or leader. They all
talked about the trial. In the beginning, not all
of the jurors were sure about how they felt. Gary
told them that they could not compromise. They
all needed to feel the same way. Gary asked
them to vote several times. After each vote
they talked. Finally they all voted the same way.
Back in the courtroom, the judge asked,
What is your verdict?
Guilty, your Honor, said Gary. He and
the rest of the jurors knew they had done a
good job of following the rules. They helped
create a fair trial for everyone involved.
That night at dinner, Emma asked, Are
you glad you were picked for jury duty, Dad?
Yes, said Gary. The experience showed
me that it is important to respect and protect
other peoples freedom. It helps me enjoy the
freedom that we all have.
Dad, laughed Emma, I think you are
definitely guilty of being a good citizen!

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P rotest Park

Rob said, A man named Dr. Martin Luther

King, Jr., had a way to make people listen.
He believed that people could demonstrate
peacefully about changes that they think
are important. Good citizens can protest,
but also follow rules and laws and not hurt
anyone with their protest.
DID YOU

I think we can do
that, said Reese excitedly.
I will talk to Manny about
it at school.

Reese and Manny were walking home after

school. They lived in a crowded city where
high-rise buildings lined the streets.
Its such a nice day, said Manny. I wish
we had somewhere to play kickball.
Reese stopped and said, There is that empty
lot on Ninth Avenue. Its small, but its open.
Manny laughed, That lot is filled with trash.
Somebody probably owns it, too.
When Reese got home he talked to his older
brother, Rob, about the empty lot. He said, I wish
there was a way we could make adults listen to us.
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KNOW?
Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr., received the
Nobel Peace Prize in
1964 for his work.

I will write a letter to

the city council. It will state how important the
park would be for our neighborhood, said Rob.
The next day, the children made a peaceful
protest plan. They asked for volunteers to make
posters about the park. Reese called the local
television station for coverage of their protest.
The plan called for supporters to gather at the
lot the following Saturday.
During the week many supporters went to
the lot to clean it up. No one in the neighborhood
seemed to mind when the trash was taken away.
Green grass was even found under it.
Credits: left: Sean ONeill/Wilkinson Studios, Inc.

The day of the protest, Manny asked

everyone to listen to him. As citizens of this
neighborhood, we have to be responsible and
respectful of all who live here. We just want
people to be aware of this land and what
it could be used for. So no one can push,
shove, or become mad at this protest. Its
a peaceful protest!
The protest went well. Many people walked
by and read the information about the park.
They all thought it was a good idea. They
agreed to write letters to the city council.
They even thanked the protesters for being
polite and providing good information.

would be responsible for its upkeep. That meant

mowing the grass and cleaning up trash daily.
A month later, both children and adults were
playing kickball there. Reese and Manny were
sitting together on one of the park benches.
Good citizens help others, and I think we
did a good job of that, said Grace.
Yep. I guess Protest Park might be a good
name for this place, said Reece.
Manny laughed, I think a better name like
Peace Park might help citizens remember how
it came to be!

About four months later, the city council met

to vote on creating a park on the abandoned
land. The owner of the land had agreed to
donate it to the city. Now all that was needed
was a majority yes vote from the city council.
Reese and Manny cheered when the mayor
said the park was a go. He said that a compromise
had to be made though. In order for the
neighborhood to keep the park, volunteers

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y
l
l
u
B
Big

Lilys family were new American citizens, and

she remembered words that her parents told her
about this new responsibility. They said that it was
important to be respectful of everyone and to
be responsible for your actions. Most important,
they told Lily to always follow the rules or laws.
If she didnt, then she would have to suffer a
consequence for her actions.

Remember, being a good citizen means

helping others, said Mr. Richmond. Now clear
your desks and get ready for lunch.
Lily thought about what her teacher had
been telling the class about citizenship. She
always tried to be a good citizen, but she knew
another person who did not. Brett Larson was a
bully. He always picked on the new student, Jie,
who had recently moved here from China.

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As the class walked to the cafeteria, Lily

witnessed Brett poking Jie in the back. Jie didnt
do anything about it. He was quiet and polite;
just the opposite of Brett. After Jie got his tray
of food and turned the corner to sit down, Brett
stuck out his foot in front of Jie. Jie and his food
went flying. All of Bretts friends started laughing
and slapping Brett on the back.

Connecting Passage

Lily watched Jie clean up the food on the

floor and slowly get up. Lily had had enough.
It didnt matter if Brett was bigger than she
was, and it didnt matter that he would probably
make fun of her, too. Brett Larson was a big
bully, but Lily was a good citizen.

Credits: left, right: Caroline Hu/Wilkinson Studios, Inc.

She started to quietly point out Bretts

behavior to her friends. After a while, she noticed
that the majority of people werent laughing with
Brett anymore.
The next day, Lily sat with Jie at recess and
tried to get to know him. He told her about what
his life was like back in China. Jie was just learning
English, so they laughed together over some
of his word choices.
As Lily and Jie were walking back into the
classroom, Brett started teasing them.
Jie likes Lily. Jie likes Lily, Brett said
in a singsong voice.

Lets talk after school today, Brett, said

Mr. Richmond. I think we need to review
some points about being a good citizen.
Brett must have gotten the message
because the next day he was very quiet. In
fact, Mr. Richmond paired Brett and Jie up
to write a report about their favorite sports.
Brett was surprised to learn that he and Jie
both loved baseball. Lily couldnt believe it
when she saw the boys laughing together.
I guess it is possible for a big bully to turn
into a good citizen! smiled Lily.

Knock it off, Larson, said a fifth grader in

the hallway. I wonder how you would feel if
your family moved to China? Leave Jie alone!
Bretts face turned red. He became even
more embarrassed when the rest of our class
started laughing at him!
DID YOU
KNOW?
Unfortunately for Brett,
Mr. Richmond happened
There are only two
ways to become a
to be walking by, too.
U.S. citizen; either
by law or by birth.

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Connecting Passage

Credits: right: Caroline Hu/Wilkinson Studios, Inc.

Student Response Sheet

Individual Reading

Name
Key Question

What are the rights and responsibilities of being a U.S. citizen?

On Your Own
1. Read the Key Question. Then read the story. Look for key ideas that help
you answer the Key Question. Circle these words and sentences in the
story.
2. Now look back at the story. Write the words and sentences you circled in
the chart below.

What are the rights and responsibilities of being a U.S. citizen?

1.
2.
3.
4.

3. Think about the Key Question. Write your answer to the Key Question
using the key ideas you found in the story you read.

My First Answer

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Student Response Sheet

Team Discussion

Name
Key Question

What are the rights and responsibilities of being a U.S. citizen?

Share Your Ideas
Meet with your team. Talk about each story your team read.
1. Tell the team what happens in the story you read. Show the chart
you made.
2. Look at the charts your team made. Compare the key ideas in each of
your stories by looking at all the charts you made. Answer these questions
together.

How is each main character being a good citizen?

What rights and responsibilities do all of the characters share when it

comes to being good citizens?

Next, write the key ideas that answer the Key Question on the chart below.
Write only the ideas that are in every story your team read.

What are the rights and responsibilities of being a U.S. citizen?

1.
2.
3.
4.
Answer the Key Question
Review the ideas on your teams chart. As a team, write an answer to the Key
Question. Use the information from the stories to support your answer.

What are the rights and responsibilities of being a citizen?

Our Teams Answer

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