Teach your students about how the government works. Discuss concepts such as democracy, representation, individual freedom and the common good. Explain the meaning of liberties such as freedom of the press, freedom of religion, the right to bear arms, due process and trial by jury. Have your students draw pictures based on their ideas of phrases such as "we the people," "a more perfect Union," "general welfare" and "the blessings of liberty."
Teach your students about the civil rights movement and the historic struggle for freedom and equality. Explain that America is a nation of people who came from many countries seeking better lives. Tell stories about important figures from American history such as Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Cesar Chavez and Martin Luther King Jr., whose actions contributed to greater equality, prosperity and economic justice.
Have your students give presentations or reports on what their parents do for a living. Encourage them to talk about the way in which these occupations affect the community, improve people's lives or provide services to those in need.
Plan a field trip for your students to join with parents and teachers in a community outreach project. Some possibilities include visiting the elderly, attending city council meetings, or helping to beautify parks. Assign them the task of writing a short report about what they saw and learned about their community.