Consider designing a lesson plan that allows students a hands-on activity as voters. Create mock voter registration cards and have students fill them out with an adult walking them through the process. Hold a mock election in class, with students creating a platform of what they believe in, much like when government officials run for office. On voting day, everyone must show their voter registration cards and take turns casting ballots.
Photocopy a simple tax form, such as the 1040 EZ, and pass it out in the classroom. Students will fill out the form line by line with the teacher. For simplicity, have everyone claim the same amount of annual income. Consider dicing the class into groups when choosing the number of dependents so students can see the different techniques used when filling out a tax form at home. Explain that by paying taxes, students are paying for road work, police and public schools.
Hold a mock trial in class complete with jury selection. Hand out blind envelopes, with 12 students randomly selected as the jury. Mimic a trial by assigning a defense attorney, defendant, prosecutor and a judge. Have the courtroom present its case as it would happen in a real court of law, allowing the jury a chance for reaching a verdict. This lesson will not only teach a civic duty, but will also create a sense of teamwork, which is imperative in the decision-making process of jury duty.
Being a good citizen is also defined as being compassionate and caring to others. Organize a group field trip where students volunteer their services for a day. Contact a nursing home and arrange a day when students can visit. Plan skits for performing in the community room for the inhabitants of the nursing home. Break kids into small groups, with an adult supervising each group, having groups either read aloud from books with a senior or work on a craft project together.