TeachersFirst Civics Resources
Civics education is more important than ever, and we've curated an incredible collection of resources to help K–12 educators bring this vital subject to life in the classroom! Whether you're teaching the foundations of government, constitutional rights, voting and elections, civic participation, current events, public policy, law and justice, or the role of media in democracy, this collection has something for every learner. Inside, you'll find interactive simulations, lesson plans, videos, primary source documents, discussion guides, games, virtual field trips, assessments, and digital tools — all designed to help students become informed, engaged, and active citizens. Explore, share, and empower the next generation of civic leaders!
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Legislative Explorer - Center for American Politics and Public Policy
Grades
9 to 12
tag(s): advanced placement (24), branches of government (68), civics (128), congress (40)
In the Classroom
Despite being fairly wonky (political geeks will LOVE this site!), Legislative Explorer will also help civics and government teachers present the overall picture of how a bill makes its way (or doesn't) through the legislative branch. On an interactive whiteboard (or projector), the visual impact of how many bills are proposed in a session is stunning. Once past that, however, students can research the activities of their local legislators, by name or by state. What issues matter enough to them to result in bill sponsorship? Alternatively, divide students into groups and have each group research a specific committee. What bills come to that committee? How successful is that committee in moving bills to the President's desk? How does the activity in the most recent Congress compare to that from 40 years ago? Have the issues changed?You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Children's Literature with Social Studies Themes - University of Delaware Center for Teacher Education
Grades
K to 6tag(s): book lists (161), branches of government (68), civics (128), guided reading (31), independent reading (83), literature (215)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save for reference throughout the school year for use with Social Studies lessons. Save as a resource when choosing books for your classroom or school library. Use the included articles for ideas to include books with your Social Studies lessons and units. Need more book ideas to support curriculum? See TeachersFirst's CurriConnects.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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CurriConnects Booklist: By the People - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): book lists (161), branches of government (68), civics (128), congress (40), constitution (103), presidents (152)
In the Classroom
Encourage students to select independent reading from this list as part of a citizenship unit, as a focus for Constitution Day, or in a civics/government class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Center for Civic Education - Center for Civic Education
Grades
5 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): branches of government (68), civics (128), civil rights (217), constitution (103), democracy (29), elections (87), electoral college (22), lincoln (67), martin luther king (41), presidents (152), sept11 (18), washington (33)
In the Classroom
Use lesson resources to supplement your current curriculum or commemorate events such as MLK Day, Presidents Day, or Constitution Day. Assign podcasts to groups of students to use, then report to the class. Rather than a traditional report, challenge cooperative learning groups to collaborate on a topic found on the site using Netboard, to share ideas and information. Share a link to the podcasts via your web page or blog. Have students answer the daily question then respond with a short journal entry or with comments on your webpage.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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EL Civics for ESL students - EL Civics
Grades
3 to 8This site includes advertising.
tag(s): branches of government (68), civics (128), holidays (285), states (128)
In the Classroom
Have ESL/ELL students search for answers to previously prepared questions or do a scavenger hunt to find relevant information. Pair ESL/ELL students with a verbally strong English speaking partner so they can listen to the text being read. Use the links under U.S. Geography as an introduction for students doing state projects. Have students create posters from the info they gather here using a tool such as Web Poster Wizard (reviewed here. Use an online poster creator, such as Padlet (reviewed here).Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Our Documents - 100 Milestone Documents - National Archives
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): civics (128), history day (38), primary sources (134)
In the Classroom
The use of primary sources in teaching has been greatly increased by our digital access to documents like these. Peruse the list of "milestone" documents and commit to using the photographs on an interactive whiteboard (or projector) when the document comes up in a lesson or discussion. For teachers who are supporting student projects for National History Day, this site also has a link to specific tips, although it appears the site has not been kept up to date with current information on individual competitions. Challenge cooperative learning groups to investigate one of the documents and create a multimedia project of their choice. Looking for some inspiration? How about having groups create a podcast using podOmatic, reviewed here. Or have students create online posters on paper or do it together as a class using a tool such as PicLits, reviewed here. Have students narrate a photo of the document (using a FREE and LEGAL photo) with a too such as Google Drawings, reviewed here. Google Drawings allows you to annotate an image with links to videos, text, websites, and more.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Shmoop - Civics - Shmoop University Inc
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): branches of government (68), civics (128), constitution (103), politics (124), presidents (152)
In the Classroom
Students will not be bored when you turn them on to this site. The links can be put on a classroom webpage or blog. Use the primary resources section under Best of the Web to help students make real world connections. Students can use the photos provided on the site to create a PhotoStory or iMovie. The provided questions would be great to use for a classroom debate. To make learning more accessible, students can even download the guides to any handheld device that supports ebooks such as ipod touches or Kindles. Please note that some videos are from You Tube so they may be blocked by your school's filter.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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iCivics - iCivics Inc.
Grades
5 to 10tag(s): bill of rights (37), branches of government (68), civics (128), congress (40), constitution (103), courts (25), democracy (29), elections (87), game based learning (304), presidents (152), supreme court (31)
In the Classroom
As you study the Constitution or U.S. government, have students participate in the activities, stopping to write blog entries as their legal character discussing the results they have achieved in court or in their role within other interactive simulations. Students can work individually or with a partner. Be sure to demonstrate the activities on an interactive whiteboard or projector so students understand how they work. Another option is to enhance student learning and modify classroom technology use by having students create a multimedia guide to one of the constitutional rights learned in the games. Use a tool such as Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here, to make an interactive poster or infographic on each right. If your class is remote learning, try using Zoom, reviewed here, or another video conferencing tool, to demonstrate or introduce your class to iCivics and the individual activities.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Ben's Guide to U.S. Government - Government Printing Office
Grades
1 to 12tag(s): constitution (103), franklin (12), states (128)
In the Classroom
With younger grades, use an interactive whiteboard or projector to learn the states' locations with the entire group. This simple site would be great to use in your computer center for individual learning or for some indoor recess enrichment fun. Secondary teachers looking for more than the basics will want to supplement this site with other resources. There is a link for parents and teachers, be sure to take a look!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Civics Online
Grades
1 to 12In the Classroom
Be sure to save this site as a favorite to allow for easy retrieval later on.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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