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iCivics Releases Private i History Detectives, a Curriculum that Uses Inquiry to Teach History and Civics to K-5 Students

Posted on by Luke O'Connor

Private i History Detectives is iCivics’ first product made specifically for elementary students and fills a significant need for resources that teach the fundamentals of history and civics in K-5 classes. Product will be unveiled to teachers during a live webinar Nov. 1 for educators.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – October 25, 2022 – iCivics has released Private i History Detectives, a new curriculum for K-5 that taps into young learners’ natural curiosity and uses inquiry to teach the basic skills that students need to understand history and civics.

Private i History Detectives is a powerful new tool that elementary educators can now use to help their students build foundational historical and civic knowledge, as well as inquiry and critical thinking skills early in their education. This will ensure that students understand how history has and continues to shape our country’s institutions and our own roles as citizens as they continue through middle and high school and into adult life.

Born out of a collaboration between iCivics and History’s Mysteries, through the Library of Congress’s Teaching With Primary Sources (TPS) initiative, the curriculum challenges young learners to take on the role of history detectives. They must use primary sources and inquiry skills to answer “big questions,” such as “What does it mean to be a citizen?” It then guides them through age-appropriate discussions with teachers. The curriculum is easy to use and aligned with state standards.

Private i History Detectives is the first curriculum iCivics has developed specifically for the youngest learners, a segment of the learning population that is traditionally underserved when it comes to civics. Over the next few years, iCivics will continue to expand its K-5 resources.

“For civic education to be effective, we must approach the subject just like we approach STEM and literacy, teaching the fundamental skills starting in elementary school,” Taylor Davis, iCivics Director of Curriculum and Content, said. “Private i History Detectives, breaks historical inquiry skills into simple, easy to grasp concepts in a way that is fun and engaging so that we can meet young learners where they are.”

The full K-5 curriculum is now available for teachers to use, for free, on iCivics’ website.

“After working with many educators, it became clear to us that elementary teachers were hungry for quality, primary source based lessons that would excite and engage their students,” said Laurie Risler, Elementary Education Instructor at Westfield State University, and History’s Mysteries co-creator. “Private i History Detectives requires even the youngest students to think deeply and draw conclusions based on primary source evidence. In the role of history detectives, students do the work of historians as they answer questions using evidence from primary sources.”

Private i History Detectives will be officially unveiled at a launch webinar that is open to educators and school administrators on Nov. 1, 2022, at 7 P.M. EST. The webinar will feature Taylor Davis, Director of Curriculum and Instruction for iCivics, History’s Mysteries co-creators Kelley Brown and Laurie Risler, who are both educators, and Natacha Scott, Director of Educator Engagement at iCivics.

Watch the Webinar Recording

Ana goes to the WIDA Conference!

Posted on by Luke O'Connor

Last week, #FlatAna came to the WIDA conference in Louisville, Kentucky, with three members of the iCivics staff to learn more about the best ways we can continue to support ELs and MLs in our games and other resources. Ana has many roles in iCivics games. She is a campaign manager, guide, assistant, and all around helper. She’s bilingual in English and Spanish, and she believes in the iCivics mission of reaching all learners, especially multilingual and English learners. And if you follow our social media, you know that since June, #FlatAna has been doing a lot of exploring! 

The WIDA Annual Conference is for educators, administrators, and curriculum developers to share best practices and learn new classroom strategies.The opening keynote address featured Juliana Urtubey, 2021 National Teacher of the Year, who talked about the value of being multilingual: “If you speak another language, you are linguistically gifted…” Her message focused on building a “joyous and just education for all.” She said, “Celebrate your successes, compost your failures. Nobody loses when we are all empowered. It is possible when we build a world of wonder and justice around our students.” 

Game-based learning follows that idea. You get to empower your students by having them play the role of a presidential candidate, a lawyer, a county chair, a legislator, etc. In games, it’s ok to make mistakes, or fail. Like Juliana Utrubey says, you can “compost your failure” by playing again. At iCivics, we give students the opportunity to explore content through games which engages all learners and generates wonder in the classroom. What did Ana’s colleagues think?

Kristen Chapron, Senior Editor of Digital Learning and ELL: “The best part about the conference is learning new tips and strategies that we can apply to our games, activities, and lesson plans. In the session, Teaching Language Objectives Using Next Generation ESL Curriculum Resources, Dr. Jennifer Altavilla-Giordano broke down the components of creating language objectives. Participants were able to practice using and adapting the tools. Function and features are key. I also learned innovative ways to engage students with academic language from Nadra Shami, ELL Language and Literacy Trainer, in an interactive session called Developing Academic Language in the Content Areas. I also loved the energy and great ideas from other sessions, and I am excited to get back to curriculum writing, apply these practices, and share them with our team.”

Kristen Chapron with Dr. Jennifer Altavilla-Giordano, lecturer and program director for TESOL & Bilingual Education at BU Wheelock College of Education & Human Development.

 

Angela Clay, Curriculum Associate for EAD: “I had the privilege of learning about James Baldwin’s speech “A Talk to Teachers” from Dr. Carl Grant. Dr. Grant related Baldwin’s 1963 speech to the contemporary world. He articulated eloquently the significance of how a student’s self-image is mirrored in history and the classroom. When students recognize themselves in the lesson, they develop a sense of belonging in the classroom and in society. Dr. Grant was also able to illustrate the overlap between English learners and minority students. Both groups are resilient and, as Baldwin argued, they belong in today’s society. In order for all students to develop a good self-image, it is the responsibility of educators and curriculum leaders to guarantee that we educate our children and acknowledge the complex layers necessary to create a more inclusive learning environment for students to have a positive self-image. Dr. Grant charged us as educators to ensure we empower our students to build a more inclusive classroom and society.”

Angela Clay with Dr. Carl Grant,Hoefs-Bascom Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and former Chair of the Afro American Studies Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Amanda Setters, Curriculum Associate: “As a former Social Studies teacher, I really enjoyed exploring new classroom strategies. In my new role creating resources, I fall back on that knowledge to develop materials that are not only rigorous, but also include impactful scaffolds that save teachers time and effort. In my session on Scaffolding Strategies for High School EL Students, I did just that. High School English Teacher Noel Emilius gave an excellent presentation on strategies she implements to scaffold grade level content assignments to support all learners. In addition to taking us on a tour through one of her lessons, we also took some workshop time to discuss how we have used strategies in the field. Then we had time to apply the knowledge in our work. What is so powerful is that the time investment in creating these lessons can benefit a wide range of learners in today’s classroom so it is truly time well spent. It also highlights the need to network with other teachers to collaborate and share the workload. The exhibitor hall also had tons of resources that can help classrooms leverage technology to develop language skills so I really enjoyed seeing the variety of materials and tools that are available.”

Apply to become an iCivics Teacher Facilitator Fellow (TFF)

Posted on by Luke O'Connor
  • Do you teach 7–12th grade social studies or civics in Northern California?
  • Are you interested in being a teacher-leader and facilitating social studies and civics professional development for teachers in your district, county, and state?
  • Are you interested in being part of a community of practice learning together to transform social studies and civics teaching and learning across the state of California?
  • Do you want to earn $2,100?

If you answered yes to these questions, consider becoming an iCivics Teacher Facilitator Fellow!

What is the iCivics Teacher Facilitator Fellow Program?

iCivics is building a train-the-trainer model to cultivate a strong network of California educators with the knowledge, skills, and demonstrated abilities to provide the kind of high-quality civic education to each and every student in their state, that is essential to sustaining and strengthening our constitutional democracy. We know that we can only reach this goal with the leadership and support of skilled teachers! This fellowship program creates a cohort of Teacher Facilitator Fellows who will work collaboratively with iCivics, other content and pedagogical experts, and each other to strengthen civic education content, pedagogy, and facilitation skills. 

After completion of this fellowship, Teacher Facilitator Fellows will receive a stipend to provide professional development opportunities to other educators in their district, county, and state.

The fellowship will be limited to 20 educators from Northern California for its inaugural year (School Year 2022–23). We are excited to expand the program statewide during the 2023 and 2024 school years!

As part of the fellowship, you will:

  • Attend an in-person kick-off event in late fall where you will meet, connect, and collaborate with other TFFs in your cohort, examine best practices for civics teaching and learning, and hear from guest presenters;
  • Participate in monthly professional development through webinars and coursework from iCivics staff and guest presenters;
  • Be part of a statewide community of practice learning together and supporting high-quality civic instruction;
  • Attend a statewide convening during the summer;
  • Become a certified iCivics Teacher Facilitator and be awarded a digital badge; and
  • Be compensated $2,100, upon fulfillment of fellowship obligations, with potential opportunities to participate in other stipend work. 

How to apply: 

Complete the application.

Embracing National Hispanic Heritage Month

Posted on by Luke O'Connor

Growing up in Miami, Florida, I was surrounded by Hispanic culture, Hispanic leaders, and the Spanish language. Thanks to my parents, I grew up speaking both Spanish and English. I was exposed to my Guatemalan heritage and explored how that intertwined with growing up in the United States. Unfortunately, this did not include a lot of civic knowledge or skills. My parents had not been a part of the electoral process in their country of origin or in the United States. They also never attended school due to the violence and poverty that had struck their country throughout the 20th century. Thankfully, I was able to develop my passion and knowledge for civics from my school and was able to take a dedicated civics course—something solidified for all Florida middle schoolers with the passage of the Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Civics Education Act in 2010.

It was not until I left Miami that I understood the importance of National Hispanic Heritage Month. This month of celebration and recognition allowed me to come together with other students at my university and recognize the importance of Hispanic contributions to the American story. As an educator, I had the opportunity to teach a World Cultures course every year, in which students got to explore different cultures through projects and research. It was always a special time when we got to the unit in Latin America, which I ensured landed during Hispanic Heritage Month. The majority of my students identified with this region because it was where their families were from. That is when I noticed how powerful Hispanic Heritage Month could be in the classroom. Acknowledging these stories and celebrations was one way of creating and celebrating community in the classroom.

These steps in my journey led me to iCivics. At a personal level, I understand how essential civic education is to those of the youngest generation who may not have a family that is civically engaged. Civic education serves as a way to overcome generational barriers to civic engagement. Luckily, my mom will have an opportunity to vote for the first time in her life on November 8.

I challenge educators and students to use this month’s significance and incorporate it into their school community however possible. One way is by studying leaders like U.S. Supreme Court Justice (and iCivics board member) Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina and first woman of color to serve on the land’s highest court. Another way is by using iCivics’ ELL resources to make civics accessible to your English and multilingual learners. As a Latino, I feel proud to be able to continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

Written by Michael Reyes

Born in Miami, Florida, Michael has nearly three years of teaching experience in his hometown. At iCivics, Michael manages the Equity in Civics Youth Fellowship and the Youth As Civics Experts Network. He supports our Youth Fellows in finding and using their voices towards their civic passion, a similar experience he went through in high school.

CHCI R2L NextGen Program Creates Full-Circle Moment for iCivics Team Member

Posted on by Luke O'Connor

Earlier this summer, iCivics’ Director of Curriculum and Content Taylor Davis and I held a workshop for R2L NextGen students from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) to help them learn more about their constitutional rights.

These high school students discussed the importance of our Constitution and the rights it protects for the people of the United States. They then proceeded to play our game, Do I Have A Right? While playing, students reflected on their experience of stepping into the role of a lawyer and learning to navigate their constitutional rights.

Here is what they had to say:

“I learned how critical our lawyers are in our government and how we depend on our amendments.”

– Linsi Perez, Florida

“I relearned which rights went with which amendments. I learned more in depth details about many amendments. I realized the applications of these amendments and how they help to solve issues that people have.”

– Nicolas R., Florida

“I am wondering whether or not most people are actually aware of these rights and I wonder how these games can continue to impact those who don’t.”

– Alexandra C., Florida

This session was a full-circle moment for me because I was part of the inaugural cohort of CHCI’s R2L NextGen program in the summer of 2011. This civic youth experience was pivotal to my life-long civic journey. R2L NextGen prepared me to get more involved in my hometown of Miami, Florida, and seek more civic opportunities. It taught me that civic participation was vital to your community and it empowered me to become part of my high school’s Student Government Association and later be involved in campus elections at the University of Florida.

Without the experience with CHCI’s R2L NextGen as a sophomore in high school, I would not have the motivation I have today to be civically engaged and connected to my community. I was very impressed with how engaged this group of students was during the game and all the wonderful questions they had! I hope they continue playing our games and making the most of their life-long civic journey.

Written by Michael Reyes

Born in Miami, Florida, Michael has nearly three years of teaching experience in his hometown. At iCivics, Michael manages the Equity in Civics Youth Fellowship and the Youth As Civics Experts Network. He supports our Youth Fellows in finding and using their voices towards their civic passion, a similar experience he went through in high school.

Series of 35 Short-Form Videos Exploring Every Article and Amendment of the U.S. Constitution Launches for Constitution Day

Posted on by Luke O'Connor

With the support of Citadel Founder and CEO Ken Griffin, “The Constitution EXPLAINED” gives middle and high school teachers a new, no-cost tool to educate students about the U.S. Constitution with modern context and relevance.

 CAMBRIDGE, MASS. – Sept. 9, 2022 – Leading civic education providers iCivics and the Center for Civic Education today announced the release of a new short-form video series to educate middle and high school students about the U.S. Constitution using a medium that teachers are finding incredibly effective and engaging in the post-pandemic classroom.

Funded by Citadel Founder and CEO Ken Griffin, “The Constitution EXPLAINED” will be available for free in the lead-up to Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, when public schools commemorate the Sept. 17 signing of the U.S. Constitution and reflect on the rights and responsibilities enshrined in this seminal document. 

The video series was created in collaboration with noted constitutional scholar Linda R. Monk, author of The Words We Live By: Your Annotated Guide to the Constitution, and produced by Makematic. The 35 short videos dig deep into the U.S. Constitution by exploring every article and amendment in straightforward and easily digestible 2- to 4-minute segments that provide both context and modern relevance. 

The information-packed animated videos provide a new approach to teaching the U.S. Constitution with maximum flexibility for multiple audiences, differentiating them from existing long-form explainer videos and publications. The videos are geared toward middle and high school students and can also be used by the general population as an engaging refresher on one of the country’s foundational documents.

A preview of the videos can be found on the iCivics website and the Center for Civic Education website.

“iCivics and the Center for Civic Education have created these videos to meet teachers where they are right now,” said Julie Silverbrook, Senior Director of Partnerships and Constitutional Scholar in Residence at iCivics. “Research shows that short videos are an incredibly effective tool, as they hold student attention from start to finish and can be a compelling entryway into teaching even complicated subjects. We know this will be an invaluable tool for educators across the country, as well as for adults and families who are looking for a fun and engaging way to learn more about the text and history of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.”

“I’m incredibly excited about the launch of ‘The Constitution EXPLAINED,’” said Christopher R. Riano, President of the Center for Civic Education. “This collaborative effort shows what is possible when organizations work together, and has produced a rich collection of resources that can be used by students of all ages. We’ve made a special effort to tell the story of American constitutional democracy in an intellectually and visually engaging way and are very proud of the result.”

The video series is already generating anticipation among teachers, who are looking for new tools to educate students about the U.S. Constitution.

“I’m really excited about this collaboration between iCivics and the Center for Civic Education,” said Katie Boland, an AP Government and We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution teacher in Trumbull, Connecticut. “These quick videos will enable teachers to bring experts in the field into our classroom and allow us to explore different topics related to the Constitution in a nonpartisan manner. It’ll be an invaluable resource to all civics teachers and also citizens to watch and learn about our government.” Katie is also a member of the iCivics Educator Network. 

For media inquiries, contact [email protected] or [email protected].

About iCivics

iCivics was founded in 2009 by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to transform civic education and rebuild civic strength through digital games and lesson plans. iCivics is the country’s largest provider of civic education content and is currently used by up to 145,000 educators and 9 million students annually. All of its games are free, nonpartisan and available online at icivics.org. 

About Center for Civic Education

The Center for Civic Education has long been recognized as a leader in providing civic education to K–12 students and adults, with its research-based curricula reaching more than 42 million students and 440,000 educators in the United States and in more than 80 countries since 1965.

Serving Up a New Version of Fan Favorite, People’s Pie

Posted on by Luke O'Connor

When we sunsetted the Flash version of our game People’s Pie last year, we received a flood of inquiries from teachers asking when their favorite game to teach about taxes and the federal budget would be back. We’re thrilled to announce a new and improved version with Spanish translation and EL/ML supports will be available later this fall!

Join students like Sophie – Apply for the Equity in Civics Youth Fellowship!

Posted on by Luke O'Connor

Last summer, I was approached by my AP U.S. Government teacher, who presented me with the Equity in Civics Youth Fellowship and motivated me to apply. While civics and politics have always been a passion of mine, I was unsure of what the fellowship entailed. I decided to apply regardless of the specifics because having the opportunity to engage in conversations regarding civics education with other young people was, in my opinion, a fantastic opportunity. 

Now that the fellowship is almost over, I look back at all that we have done this year, and I am grateful for all the knowledge and amazing opportunities the EYCF team has given us. Fellows have learned about civics, media, video editing, and more. We have engaged in rich conversation regarding the equity or inequity of civics in the United States and addressed all these challenges and questions with possible solutions based on extensive research we performed.

One of the most valuable aspects from the fellowships has been the ability to connect with young people from all over the country, all of whom come from different states and backgrounds. Some of us are from suburban areas, while others live in rural counties. We all live in communities that represent the political spectrum. All of our differences make this fellowship unique. We’ve learned about new perspectives and ideas while also getting to know people within our age range who are passionate about impacting their communities. 

Lastly, without the incredible support of our mentors, Michael Reyes and Natacha Scott, this would not have been possible. Throughout this journey, they have kept us on track with our learning and activities, and they have brought amazing guest speakers. They have given us the necessary tools to become confident in our abilities and empower ourselves to reach out to our communities to spread awareness on topics that mean a lot to us and civic education. 

I encourage all of you to participate in this fellowship because it is unlike any other experience you have been a part of. It will build your knowledge and character and allow you to bond with people who otherwise you would probably never come across with.

Authored by Sophie Schmidt

Sophie Schmidt is an 18-year-old senior from Ocean Springs High School, Mississippi, ready to begin her college journey at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she was awarded the presidential scholarship. In her free time Sophie enjoys volunteering and is very involved with her local hospital as she aspires to become a doctor. She is passionate about civics and political advocacy and works hard to raise awareness about LGBTQIA+ rights, women’s rights, and environmental awareness.

iCivics Named Common Sense Education 2022 Selection for Learning, Receives Four-Star Rating

Posted on by Luke O'Connor

We’re proud to share that iCivics has earned an official seal from Common Sense Education 2022 Selections for Learning!

The Common Sense seal program recognizes outstanding media with an official seal for quality and impact. Common Sense Selections for Learning are best-in-class media resources and tools that facilitate great learning experiences for students and educators. Common Sense expert reviewers make hand-picked, official selections annually based on independent rating criteria and pedagogical rubric. Learn more about the criteria used to rate and review.

Our four-star rating, conducted by Common Sense’s Editorial team, consisted of four stars or above in the following categories:

  • Engagement: “Games vary in their appeal, but most are amusing, absorbing opportunities to think deeply about civic engagement.”
  • Pedagogy: “Each game offers a unique spin on content. Some, like Race to Ratify, mix facts and concepts in fascinating ways. Lessons help make learning stick and offer useful extensions.”
  • Support: “Each game has a detailed tutorial, and help screens in each support struggling players. There’s a lot of reading, so it’s handy that some games have a Spanish mode.”
Read Full Review

“Wonderful! I have promoted [iCivics] to teachers that want to start in a game-based approach. The material is sound and teachers have data on each of their students’ learning. The website is complete with lessons and suggestions for using the games. If you are interested in engaging your students in civics…this is a must use approach.” – Sandy W. Classroom teacher at Catalyst Charter Middle School

Encourage Your Students to Apply to Join the 2022–23 Equity in Civics Youth Fellowship Cohort!

Posted on by Luke O'Connor

Do you have students entering 9th–12th grade interested in civics, education, equity, government, history, justice, or politics? They may be perfect candidates for the Equity in Civics Youth Fellowship.

This paid, 10-month fellowship brings together a talented group of high school students from around the country to think globally, act locally, listen to others, and build coalitions. Fellows will utilize their lived experiences to shed light on how civic education can include student voices and become more equitable.

During this virtual program, fellows will research issues of equity in civic education in their school communities and address the practices and policies related to their civic learning experiences. They will engage in group projects and guided discussion; build and lead student voice campaigns; and benefit from a variety of other experiences.

We welcome all high school students* who meet the following criteria to apply by June 13, 2022.

  1. U.S. student in high school* during the 2022–23 school year.
  2. Interested in civics, education, equity, government, history, justice, or politics.
  3. Ability to attend an in-person gathering in Washington D.C. in October 2022 (paid for by the fellowship program).

Interested students must complete the student application and also have an educator/mentor complete a nomination form to be considered for the program.

We hope you’ll share this incredible learning and civic engagement opportunity with your students. We appreciate all you do to help develop our nation’s future leaders.

 *This program is for rising 9th–12th grade students living in the United States, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.