Print out pictures of various authority figures such as firemen, policemen, teachers and parents. Give each student pieces of construction paper for each authority figure. Have the students color and paste a picture of the person on one side of the paper. They will then flip the paper over and the class will work together to write what the person does in the community and the rules he enforces help the citizens. They can also write facts about the authority figures such as where they are in the city and under what circumstances they are called upon for help.
A field trip will require school and parent permission as well as scheduling transportation and volunteers to help with the students. A teacher can call a local fire house, police station or postal office and request a visit for the class. This is a good way to familiarize students with the various authority figures. Sometimes you can arrange for representatives of the fire department or police station to visit the school instead of the class having to come to them.
Have student draw an umbrella and label the authority chain that goes with different organizations. For example, the police department is headed by the mayor of the city, followed by the police chief down to the patrol officers and clerks. Children can learn the different positions within an organization and the tasks and duties that are assigned to each person. Have children create umbrellas for different organizations such as the police, fire department, postal office and school.
Have students identify the teacher as the authority figure within the classroom and then identify other authority figures within the school. Talk about the need for classroom rules and why they must exist. Have students come up with and agree upon 10 different rules for the classroom. After a suggestion for a rule is made by a student, start a discussion about why that rule would be important in the classroom. Ask the students questions such as, "What would happen if this was not a rule?" and "What should the consequences be for breaking this rule?" and "Who should enforce this rule?"