Citizens in Action

The “Citizens in Action” tour addresses topics in social studies for students in the third-, fourth-, and fifth grades.

Students further their study of citizenship learned in earlier grades. They compare familiar communities with those of other cultures and times. They study individuals who make a difference in their community and around the world. They study leaders and the problems leaders confront and how conflicts are resolved within communities. They make connections between deeds leaders perform and the character traits heroes possess such as courage, self-discipline, perseverance, integrity, respect, responsibility, kindness, and good judgement. They identify leaders who have influenced the economies of communities and who have made contributions in science and technology.

Students build upon prior knowledge of citizenship and learn about social, economic and political institutions and how these institutions respond to the needs of citizens. They study economic principles and technological developments.

Students study the impact of wars such as the American War of Independence, the Civil War, and World War II. They analyze major documents that formed the foundations of the American idea of constitutional government such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. They learn the legislative, executive, and judicial functions of local, state, and national levels of government. They evaluate the effectiveness of civil rights and social movements throughout US history that reflect the struggle of equality and constitutional rights of all citizens.

Please note that the entries in this tour are not in any particular order.

Tar Baby vs. St. Sebastian

Francesca

Tar Baby vs. St. Sebastian
Michael Richards, Jamaican American, born US, 1999
(resin, fiberglass and paint)
North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh

Artists depict stories from history. Artists depict stories from the Bible and other religious texts. Artists depict stories from literature. Let’s look at a work of art that tells a story from each one of these spheres. Continue reading →

Burghers of Calais

Francesca

The Burghers of Calais, First Maquette
Auguste Rodin, French, m. 1884, cast 1987
(bronze)
North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh

In every community across the world, there are men and women who are willing to make a sacrifice. Let’s see a work of art that honors the courage of six leaders in France who were willing to give up their own lives in order to spare the lives of their fellow citizens. Continue reading →

Amunred

Francesca

Coffin of Amunred
Egyptian, Third Intermediate-Late Period, circa 715-525 BCE
(wood with gesso and paint)
North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh

Imagine you’re an archeologist and have entered an ancient Egyptian mummy’s burial chamber. What would you find? Continue reading →

Fefi’s False Door

Francesca

False Door of Ni-ankh-Snefru (Fefi)
Egyptian, Old Kingdom, circa 2321-2278 BCE
(white limestone with traces of paint)
North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh

In ancient Egypt, powerful pharaohs (kings) ruled over a people for thousands of years. Let’s meet this ancient community and learn about their traditions and beliefs. Continue reading →

Forward

Francesca

Forward
Jacob Lawrence, American, 1967
(tempera on Masonite panel)
North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh

Wars often divide communities. Let’s meet a brave American heroine who lived to see a devastating war that would divide the United States and pit citizen against citizen. Do you know what this war between the North and South is called? It is called the American Civil War (1861-1865). Continue reading →

Battle of Lexington

Francesca

First News of the Battle of Lexington
William Tylee Ranney, American, 1847
(oil on canvas)
North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh

American patriots might have seen a scene similar to this one on their way to Boston to fight for independence with their fellow men at the start of the American War of Independence (1775-1783). Continue reading →

American Landscape

Francesca

American Landscape with Revolutionary Heroes
Roger Brown, American, 1983
(oil on canvas)
North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh

Every community has leaders who make a difference. Let’s see a work of art of six leaders of the American War of Independence (1775-1783) and Founding Fathers of the United States of America. Continue reading →

Tough Story

Francesca

A Tough Story
John George Brown, American, born Great Britain, 1886
(oil on canvas)
North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh

Long ago, many children who lived in America’s cities had to struggle for a better life. Continue reading →