Center for Civic Education
Citizenship Schools and Civic Education During the Civil Rights Movement and in the Present
Your young historians will discover the importance that citizenship education has played in the social progress of the United States as they learn about early efforts to discourage African Americans from voting in the 1960s.
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We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution
Robert Coles’ The Story of Ruby Bridges forms the basis of this powerful cross-curricular study of civic education and civic responsibility. Class members consider how the book presents authority, responsibility, justice, and privacy.....
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Action Through Art
How can we make the world a better place? Help your class members become world citizens, active in philanthropy and the community around them. Use a comic book (included) to discuss the idea of philanthropy. Then, using the superhero...
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Citizenship Programme of Study for KS2
Learners discover ways to be active citizens. In this civics lesson, students prepare for student body elections by creating election materials an writing manifestos. Learners also consider offering their services to local organizations...
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Benjamin Franklin and the U.S. Constitution
Students explore U.S. history by completing a quiz about civics. In this Benjamin Franklin instructional activity, students read assigned text about Franklin's role in the development of the Constitution and the creation of a new...
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Energetic Citizenship
Students analyze how to use less energy. For this energy conservation lesson, students discuss fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs and experiment to examine the energy of both sources using thermometers. Students complete the...
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Creating Civic Awareness Through Artistic and Literary Forms
Interpret current events using editorial cartoons and other print media. Middle schoolers explore the meanings of literary and artistic terms such as satire, irony, and caricature. They visit internet sites to develop an understanding of...
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We Are the Government
Students read primary documents to find the motivations of the founding fathers of the United States. In this primary documents lesson, students discuss the meaning of the Preamble to the Constitution, read parts of the Constitution...
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How to Web 2.0 Accessorize Your Classroom
Become a digital citizen. Follow the scripted directions of this resource to create a technologically integrated webpage for your classroom. Class members learn how to create a class blog, an Internet start page, a classroom wiki, and...
Generation Nation
Propaganda
How does propaganda influence our vote? Through grand conversation, scholars gain information about what is and how to identify the different ways propaganda is used in a presidential election. Using their new-found knowledge, citizens...
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So You Think You Can Teach? Democracy in America
Students act as teachers and develop a lesson plan that teaches the concepts of democracy and how important it is to become involved in the democratic process. They "teach" their instructional activity to the rest of the class.
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ON BECOMING A NONVIOLENT WARRIOR
Students examine the concept of non-violent social change. In this lesson on social change, students research and role play to demonstrate ways in which this might be accomplished while making connections to various events in history.
BBC
Crime: Justice
Are the juvenile courts fair? Learners read a bit from the classic Oliver Twist to consider how young people are treated and represented when they've been accused of a crime. They read a case study from their books, discuss children's...
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In the Melting Pot
Students work in small groups, each group examining a different aspect of the immigration process (such as visas, work permits, and citizenship exams) or of illegal immigration (such as deportation), to better explain the immigration...
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Ex Parte Milligan
Students reserach the case of Ex Parte Milligan. They explore the influence of the Supreme Court and the court decisions on the rights and responsibilities of citizens. They read Milligan's letter to Stanton and generate questions...
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Know Your Computer Hardware #103
Students discover the different terms and parts of a computer's body. In this computer basics lesson, students become familiar with the parts of the computer, starting in kindergarten and increasing their knowledge through school. ...
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Making a Difference
Young scholars create a plan to better their school. In this civil service lesson, students will deepen their understanding of the term "philanthropy" by reflecting on Martin Luther King, Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech and a quote by John...
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A Salute to Veterans
Young scholars examine the United States Constitution. They prepare a skit dealing with the Bill of Rights. They practice being responsible citizens and becoming involved in the community.
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Contaminated Water
Students review and use the steps in the scientific method to complete the experiment. In groups, they research the importance of water to plants and animals in their local area. They examine how water can become contaminated and take...
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A More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution
Sit back, relax, and transport to 1787! This instructional activity on the Constitution begins with guided imagery of the Constitutional Convention. The class reads A More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution in an interactive...
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Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice
Use the historical account of Claudette Colvin to study civil rights and connect past injustices to modern issues. As learners read, they examine chapter titles, record quotes, and participate in discussion. Next, they research active...
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Martin Luther King Jr. Who Is He?
Students describe MLk's leadership of the desegregation movement. Students discuss the meaning of non-violent revolution. Students identify the difference between their lives and those ofcitizens in 1963. Students write a short essay...
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Fox hunting debate
Students read the internet article "Hundreds of Hunts Out Despite Ban". The teacher then holds a class discussion about it. Students then hold a formal debate representing all points of view on the issues. Students then write a...
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Preserving Democracy
Students read excerpts of the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution. Using the documents, they identify the ideas of how the government should be run. In groups, they develop a skit that encourages people to be...