Using Our Resources: Get Started

Using iCivics Resources

Decorative graphic image showing different resource icons (curriculum unit, dbquest, game, etc.) in colorful hues of eggplant, magenta, and tangerine.
GETTING STARTED

Using iCivics Resources

From grab-and-go lessons to year-long curriculum, our resources engage students with complex concepts in ways they can understand and relate to. To get started, we recommend exploring our planning and integration tools, resource types, and teaching ideas to find everything you need to inspire your students to be knowledgeable, curious, and civically engaged. We look forward to being a part of your classroom!

Scope & Sequences

Quickly find the perfect resource to meet your learning objectives. The Scope & Sequence documents are your guide to implementing iCivics resources in your classroom. 

Spanish & EL/ML Supports

Explore which resources are available with Spanish-language versions and English-language learning supports.

My iCivics LMS

Assign iCivics games and lesson plans to your students using the My iCivics LMS, available with your free account.

Integration tools

Assign games through single sign-on solutions, Google Classroom and Clever, or use Kami to allow students to annotate lessons.

Discover high-quality resources for teaching civics

Hundreds of standards-aligned resources designed to meet all of your instructional needs with minimal preparation required.

Lesson Plans

Build civic knowledge with ready-to-use lesson plans that consist of readings and activities. Each lesson plan offers a teacher’s guide that outlines the objectives, timing, resources, and steps needed to complete.

Games

Ignite student engagement with games that make learning come alive. Made with our magic formula, our games don’t require prior knowledge and can be completed in one class period. All games can be played in a variety of settings: 1-to-1, small groups, or whole class.

Videos

Introduce students to people and processes they need to know with short, purposeful videos. These videos can be embedded into lesson plans at any point to introduce a topic, start a discussion, or create a launchpad for research. 

Infographics

Improve visual literacy skills and simplify complex civics concepts with logical, memorable, and interesting infographics. Infographics provide structure and design to concepts and help students see the big picture.

Private i History Detectives

Grow elementary students’ content knowledge and critical thinking skills with this K-5 curriculum that makes teaching social studies easy and fun. Students work together to solve each mystery and develop life-long inquiry skills. 

Simulations

Engage students with simulations that bring civics to life through media-rich, whole-class, collaborative experiences. Simulations, implemented across 1–2 class periods, use technology to facilitate student interaction, group work, and engagement. 

illustration of dbquest assistants, 4 young adults illustrated in bright orange and dark blues

DBQuests

Develop skills for in-depth analysis and inquiry with DBQuest, a learning tool that challenges students to dig into primary sources. DBQuest uses document-based questioning to guide students in primary source analysis. 

WebQuests

Equip students to sort through and find online information with WebQuests. These carefully curated, inquiry-based activities break down a topic, offer resource links, and ask questions that help students make connections and infer. 

Curriculum Units

Simplify planning with topically organized curriculum units. Each standards-aligned unit offers a comprehensive study of a topic through a variety of lessons, games, and activities and can be used just like a chapter or unit of a textbook.

Looking for more?

Scope & Sequence

Your guide to implementing iCivics resources in your classroom.

Have a question?

We’ve got answers. Get help with tasks like making assignments or setting up Google Classroom rosters.

Solutions for School Districts

Learn about services designed to build educator capacity and cultivate dynamic educational experiences for students.

From the Educator Blog

How to Teach Critical Thinking in the Digital Age
Educators have a unique opportunity to foster curiosity and critical thinking in ways that help students develop a positive and ethical relationship with media and information.
Private i History Detectives Civic Virtues Collection
iCivics to release a Civic Virtue Collection for K-2 Classrooms 

Building Classroom Culture through Civics The beginning of the school year is all about building community and establishing routines. Creating a culture of learning—based on inquiry, perseverance, and generosity—is the pathway to a successful school year! Every student enters the classroom with different strengths and needs, and every student wants

educator raising hand
Celebrating iCivics’ First Educator Convening in California

On July 17, 2024, we were filled with excitement and anticipation to bring together 60 K–12 educators for our first iCivics Educator Convening held in Sacramento, California. This event was hosted in partnership with California’s Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative, sponsored by Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero to bring equity

Ready to dig in?

Discover lessons designed to meet all of your instructional needs. Our nonpartisan classroom resources engage students with complex concepts in ways they can understand and relate to.