A major role of public education is to ensure that students understand the rights and responsibilities of being a citizen. Educators prepare students for democracy by teaching them to respect the rights of others, vote in elections, obey the rule of law, actively support public causes, and participate intelligently in public debates and discussions. Although these civics lessons are designed for K-12 and ESL students, they provide a quick and easy review for everyone, including college students. Each civics lesson includes support material such as photos, downloadable worksheets, crossword puzzles, stories, reading exercises, PowerPoint presentations, or videos. Both students and teachers will find these government and history lessons clear, concise, easy to use, and free of rhetoric.
Civics Units
13 Colonies with Map - The original thirteen colonies were founded by Great Britain between 1607-1732. They become our first thirteen states.
American Bald Eagle - The American Bald Eagle has been the national bird of the United States since 1782.
American Indian Tribes - Indians traveled from Asia and Europe to the Americas by crossing the Bering Strait.
Barack Obama - Obama is the 44th President of the United States and the first African American to hold the office.
Bill of Rights - The Bill of Rights includes the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States.
Civics Education - Civics is the study of government, politics, and citizenship.
Civics Theories - Plato influenced civics in the West; while Confucius influenced civics in the East.
Civil War - The Civil War was a war between the North and the South.
Cold War - The Cold War started in 1945 at the end of World War II.
Democracy - Democracy is government by the people. It has its roots in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. The most important right in a democracy is the right to vote.
Famous Americans - The actions of a single individual can influence countries for many years.
Gateway Arch Tour - The Gateway Arch is in Saint Louis, Missouri, near the Mississippi River.
House of Representatives - The House of Representatives is the lower house of Congress. It has 435 members who are elected for two-year terms.
Joe Biden - Joe Biden is the current Vice President of the United States. He is the 47th person and first Roman Catholic to hold the office.
Mount Rushmore - Mount Rushmore is a landmark with the faces of four United States Presidents carved into the side of a mountian.
Nancy Pelosi - Pelosi became the first female Speaker of the US House of Representatives on January 4, 2007. She is called Madam Speaker.
National Anthem - The American National Anthem is the Star-Spangled Banner. It was written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812.
National Parks - The National Park Service protects national parks from human development so future generations can enjoy nature. These lessons include photos of Yosemite, Grand Tetons, Smoky Mountains, Everglades, Joshua Tree and Yellowstone.
Pledge of Allegiance - Groups recite the Pledge of Allegiance in unison at the start of public events like school assemblies and naturalization ceremonies.
Political Parties - There are two major political parties in the United States: the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. Each party keeps the other from gaining too much power.
Presidential Inaugurations - Presidents are elected in November, but they don't take office until January 20 when they are sworn in. The Oath of Office they take is included in the U.S. Constitution and is mandatory.
President Trump - President Donald Trump is the 45th President of the United States.
Rights and Freedoms - Everyone living in the United States has basic rights. This means that both citizens and non-citizens have rights.
Sacajawea - Sacagawea was a young indian woman contributed to the success of the Lewis and Clark Expedition by serving as an interpreter, finding edible plants, and saving important documents and supplies when a boat tipped over.
Senate Lesson - The Senate is the upper house of Congress. Senators are elected for six-year terms and they represent all the people of their state.
Statue of Liberty - The Statue of Liberty is a beautiful reminder of the importance of political liberty and of friendship between countries.
Three Branches of Government - The U.S. Government is divided into three parts or branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
U.S. Constitution - The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. It sets up the government and protects the basic rights of Americans.
United Nations - The United Nations is an international organization that promotes peace and human rights.
Voting Amendments - There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote: 15th, 19th, 24th, 26th.
World War II - World War II began in 1939 when Germany invaded Poland.
