Celebrate Civic Learning Week with iCivics

Celebrate Civic Learning Week with iCivics

Celebrate Civic Learning Week with iCivics

Celebrate Civic Learning Week, March 9–13, with iCivics!

Civic Learning Week highlights civic education’s important role in sustaining and strengthening constitutional democracy in the United States. As we near the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the need to make civic education a nationwide priority is more crucial than ever. Join teachers around the country by teaching civics topics and engaging your students in civics activities.

Students holding a flag faded with Civic Learning Week logo on top.

Raise your hand!

Join us in celebrating by sharing the one thing, big or small, that you plan to do with your students during Civic Learning Week to engage your students in democracy and civics. Need ideas? Check out our 5-, 15- and 45-minute suggestions!

(And don’t worry, the only detail that will be publicly available is a pin in your state).

Civic Learning Week Events

Not sure how you’ll participate in Civic Learning Week? Want to get more involved? Explore events for teachers and students.

From youth panels and storytimes to in-person professional developments, there are Civic Learning Week events for everyone!

Spark your students' love for civics

Our engaging resources, from videos and games to lesson plans, build critical thinking and content knowledge—all while having fun!

Here are simple ways to incorporate civics in just 5 minutes, 15 minutes, or 45 minutes.

5 Minutes

Video
K-5

Well Versed: Do Your Part

Teach students how children of all ages can do their part to make a difference in this music video, a part of the Well Versed collection.

<10 min.
Video
6-8, 9-12

The Constitution EXPLAINED: Foundations of the Constitution

Introduce students to the three key principles of the Constitution: federalism, separation of powers, and check and balances, a part of the Constitution EXPLAINED series. 

<10 min.
Video
6-8, 9-12

Patsy Mink: Changing the Rules

Students learn how Patsy Mink’s achievements and how she became the first woman of color elected to Congress, a part of the Untold Stories series.

<10 min.

15-30 Minutes

Game
K-5, 6-8, 9-12
Citizenship & Participation

Neighborhood Good

Meet with your neighbors, make a plan, and do some Neighborhood Good.
15-30 min.
Game
6-8, 9-12
The Judicial Branch

Court Quest

Students will pick up passengers, hear about how they need help from the judicial system, and identify the correct court for their case.
 
15-30 min.
Game
6-8, 9-12
State and Local Governments, Public Policy

Counties Work

Let your students try their hand at running their own county government.
15-30 min.

45 Minutes

Lesson Plan
K-5
How Can Being Civic-Minded Help Me Be a Good Citizen?

How Do People Practice Being Civic-Minded?

In this lesson, students will analyze images, brainstorm ideas, and share their claims to answer the mystery question: How do people practice being civic-minded?

One class period
Game
6-8, 9-12
Foundations of Government

Investigation Declaration

Students take on the role of Special Agent 6 to trace the Enlightenment ideas that connect the Declaration of Independence to the Atlantic world.
30+ min.
Lesson Plan
6-8, 9-12
The Executive Branch

Think Before You Click!

Students use civic digital literacy skills to practice click restraint and evaluate search results for markers of relevance and reliability.
 
One class period

Teach with us every day of Civic Learning Week

This week-long planning calendar, developed by our Educator Network, outlines easy-to-execute and meaningful lesson ideas to pull from throughout the week. 

On Tuesdays We Vote during Civic Learning Week

Engage your students in civics and provide them the opportunity to practice using their vote with On Tuesdays We Vote.

Poll your class! Open the ballot link and select Make a Copy to access a custom adaptable ballot for your students to cast their votes.

Elementary Ballots

Ballot 1

What is your favorite milk?

Ballot 2

Which season is better?

Ballot 3

How should kids enjoy a good book during the school day?

Ballot 4

Should elementary kids learn how our local communities work?

Middle & High School Ballots

Ballot 1

Should civics education be a requirement for high school graduation?

Ballot 2

Does your school curriculum adequately prepare you to be an informed and engaged citizen?

Ballot 3

Should high school students be required to pass a basic civics exam (like the US Citizenship exam) to graduate?

Ballot 4

Students should be __________ to complete community services as part of a graduation requirement.

On Tuesdays We Vote was developed and organized by two high school educators, Michael Martirone from New Jersey and Shari Conditt from Washington State.

The celebration of civic learning doesn’t stop here! Join educators across the country in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with the Civic Star Challenge.

Use any of the resources in this collection to engage students in civic learning and themes from the Declaration. Then, all you have to do is fill out a simple form for the chance to be one of the winners of 400+ prizes for yourself and your school.