Teachers | iCivics

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Step Two: The News and You

Having chosen an issue for the project, students analyze two news articles about the issue. They apply the “5W + H” method in order to learn how to gather information from a news article. Using what…
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Lesson Plan

Step Nine: Action Campaign

Now that the research is done and students have articulated a proposed public policy solution for the chosen issue, they learn how to gather support. Students learn 12 different campaign and…
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Lesson Plan

Political Debate Guide

Use this activity to help your students view any political debate — local to national, historical to live broadcast. Preview candidates, issues, expectations, and details about the location and…
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Lesson Plan

Constitutional Principles (HS)

View the Constitution from the perspective of its foundational principles. Consider the Founders' intentions and the Constitution itself as you discover how the constitutional principles are critical…
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Lesson Plan

No Bill of Rights, No Deal (HS)

Jump into the big debate over the Bill of Rights, and see how the Federalists and Anti-Federalists battled over the fate of the U.S. Constitution. Where did the idea come from? How did they decided…
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Lesson Plan

Step 7: Fill the Holes

Students take a “step” back in Step 7 and identify gaps in their information: What pieces of the puzzle are still missing? What information is important to have before going on? To fill those holes,…
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Lesson Plan

Step 9: Grab People’s Attention

In this step, students get creative by developing “swag” to promote their cause. They learn principles of effective attention-grabbing that they apply to their own swag designs, including how to…
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Philosophically Correct

Trace how philosophers throughout history have envisioned the ideal government. Explore ideas from Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau and more in this new high school lesson.
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Lesson Plan

Familiar But Flawed

Did Americans find fault in every ounce of the British government? Maybe not. Learn how America's Founders improved upon familiar structures of British government to contain tyranny in favor of…
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Lesson Plan

Lessons from Antiquity

Where did democracy get its start? In this lesson, students learn about direct democracy in Athen's and Rome's republic, how each took shape, and the ideas our Founders borrowed from these great…
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Lesson Plan

Got Grievances?

You bet we do! What economic, political, and social factors led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence and American Revolution? Find out what caused the colonies to break from Great…
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Lesson Plan

Trial Court (Simulation)

Did Cellar breach the contract? Or was there no contract to begin with? Let students decide in this scripted trial simulation.Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's…
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Lesson Plan

A Dive Into Democracy

The Founding Fathers had many influences. Discover how aspects of Athenian democracy shaped the structure and ideals of the U.S. government.
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Lesson Plan

Foreign Policy

Many pieces play a part in carrying out our nation’s foreign policy—and they don’t always get along. In this lesson, students learn what foreign policy is, discover the agencies who execute it, and…
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Lesson Plan

The Public in Public Policy

Can a person really influence public policy? Yes, and in multiple ways. In this lesson, students discover who and how different groups influence public policy. With a case study that can be adapted…
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Lesson Plan

Public Policy Research Guide

Are your students researching a public policy? Help them through the process with this graphic organizer. It guides students through narrowing down a topic, answering questions through research,…
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Lesson Plan

Mock Election

In this three-day mock election simulation lesson, students explain the steps taken from party formation to national election. Harnessing skills gained from the Electoral Process lesson, students…
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