To teach students in first through third grades about the importance of being a functioning member of a society, tell the students that good citizenship will start at home and in school. Discuss how doing chores, helping others and behaving themselves according to rules is part of being a good citizen. Prepare and hand out a checklist where you ask your students to perform good citizen deeds during a week. Actions can include cleaning up their room, helping someone perform a task or show courage by doing something they've never done before. During the week, arrange for role-playing, during which the students have to make decisions. Situations for the role playing can include choosing between playing with their friends, helping their mother with the dishes, watching a favorite television program or walking the dog. At the end of the week, collect the checklist and discuss with the students what they did to prove themselves as good citizens. Give stickers or good citizen certificates as a reward.
Students in fourth through sixth grades usually have a concept of what good citizenship means. To add some practical experience, ask the class to arrange some projects throughout the term for the good of their local community. Projects can include regular garbage picking, weeding in a local park or performing a play or a concert in various local rest homes for the elderly. Ask the students to keep a journal, in which they will write about their experiences at least once a week and discuss individual entries during social science lessons. Discuss how their actions fit in with the concept of good citizenship and summarize the effect their efforts have within the community. Have a party at the end of the term to celebrate the successful completion of the project.
Focus on history and its importance on society and citizenship values during the middle school curriculum. Throughout the term, talk about important American symbols, including the national and the state flag and the Declaration of Independence. Discuss personalities that shaped society and defining moments in history. Discuss wars, who fought in them and for what reason. Discuss why both sides of a front line might be populated by good citizens. Invite veterans to talk to the students about patriotism and their sense of citizenship, and watch movies or documentaries depicting historical events.
Good citizenship includes having an interest in the local community and being engaged in the topics that concern it. To increase your students' interest in society around them, charge the teenagers with making a monthly class newspaper throughout the school year. Ask the students to watch and read news, and be aware of issues relating to their neighborhood. Topics for the newspaper can include environmental issues in the region, funny or tragic incidents, and political controversies. To write articles, students have to interview community leaders, follow debates and conduct research. When writing the articles, students should be respectful toward their subjects, honest with facts and responsible towards their readership in accordance with behavior expected from a good citizen.