Civics Lesson Plans

Students discuss how to protect the environment through civic activism. They watch a video about someone who stood up to the government to protect the environment. They also identify something in their community that could be improved.

Learners describe what type of citizen they would like to be. In this citizenship lesson, learners examine different types of participation in democracy. They determine what type of citizen they would choose to be before working in a group to produce an audio or visual presentation about civic responsibility which they share with an audience.

In this lesson students identify and describe characteristics of civic virtue. Following a class discussion, they create their own definitions of civic virtue. They write essays based on their own definitions and formulate conclusions on the state of civic virtue in the United States. They support their conclusions weith at least two examples.

Learners explore responsibility by creating a presentation. In this civic duties lesson, learners discuss ways they can improve their surrounding neighborhood and city by organizing group activities. Learners share ideas about civic responsibility and present their ideas to the class.

Students identify and explain the meaning and importance of civic dispositions or virtues that contribute to the preservation and improvement of civil society and government. From a list of virtues, they choose one to write an essay in which they describe how that particular virtue might be revealed in action

Learners discuss the role of citizens in a democracy. They study about the system of representation in a democracy and how holding a political office effects change. They examine social capital and how networking is a tool for civic action.

This lesson has learners investigate civic duties by planning a civic project.  In this community lesson, learners identify and analyze changes needed in their neighborhood and city.  This lesson has learners collaborate in small groups to create a project that can help their area while writing about the process on a Blog.

Students explore community needs by identifying civic responsibilities. In this community activism lesson, students discuss a quote by Gandhi and relate it to issues they face within their own community. Students identify problems within their community and write a reflection about ways they can improve their community and take charge of their own neighborhood.

This lesson has learners analyze citizenship. In this civics lesson, learners discuss citizenship and write about the type of citizen they would like to be. This lesson has learners work in groups to create a video that inspires viewers to address a local issue and take action to improve the community.

Students distinguish among civic life, political life, and private life. They research a high-profile figure (e.g., politician, business leader, or entertainer) and write a three-part essay about how the figure they chose fulfills his/her civic, political, and private roles.