How to Use:
Introduce students to people and processes they need to know with short, purposeful videos. Grab and hold students’ attention with videos that can be integrated into lesson plans at any point. Use them to introduce a topic, start a discussion, or create a launchpad for research.
Key features
Videos introduce students to lesser-known individuals who have shaped our nation, delve deep into the text, history, and relevance of the U.S. Constitution, or get students grooving. Engage students and add variety to instruction by incorporating a video in your lesson plans.
Supplement your lesson
Embed videos at any point in a lesson to introduce, reinforce, or review concepts covered in class.
Utilize supporting materials
Make the most of videos by using our downloadable Teacher’s Guides, which contain additional information, discussion questions, and activity suggestions.
Plan with time in mind
Deepen student engagement with short, 2-to 3-minute videos that can be seamlessly incorporated into your curriculum.
Teach with Spanish & EL/ML Supports
Ensure that no one misses a single detail with closed captions and a growing library of videos available in Spanish.
Teaching Tips
Adapt based on your access to technology
Videos can be completed in a variety of settings, from small groups, where discussion adds to the learning experience, to the whole class, with the video projected for the class to see.
Inspire learning
Videos tackle complex issues and foster the development of important civic dispositions. Each video identifies key learning objectives to support you in making the most of your class time.
Implement with ease
Videos are ready-to-use teaching resources that do not require students to have any prior knowledge of the content, as the videos will introduce topics and cover learning objectives.
Ways to use videos in the classroom:
Use a Bell Ringer
Transition into class time and help students get ready to learn and focus with short, purposeful videos.
Introduce concepts
Use the videos to present new topics for which students have little to no prior knowledge.
Supplement
Round out a sequence of learning activities designed to foster understanding of and engagement in key content.
Extend
Make learning objectives stick and leverage classroom learning by adding videos to your existing materials.
Most popular video series
Animated music videos about how kids can make this country rock! Well Versed hits all the right notes as it explores civic topics for the youngest generation. Explore the series of 12 videos for elementary students (ages 6-11) and preschoolers (ages 2-5).
This comprehensive series of 35 short videos explains the text, history, and relevance of the United States Constitution, Bill of Rights, and additional amendments in everyday language. Each video is assignable and ends with a call-to-action question, prompting learners to explore the topics further.
What makes our videos unique?
iCivics’ short, standards-aligned videos are a powerful way to introduce students to important topics or kick-start classroom discussions. Videos work well for students, as they:
Grab and hold students’ attention with captivating voiceovers, lyrics, and visuals that bring information to life.
Entertain students while they learn, and enhance lessons with a visual depiction of civic processes, systems, and structures.
Make civic systems and processes relatable and memorable. Catchy tunes, important figures, and relevant stories make learning stick.
Why videos work for educators
Videos are a springboard for concept introduction or discussion that require little preparation and class time. They are flexible enough to be embedded at any point in lesson plans or easily integrated into existing curriculum. Each video comes with an accompanying teacher’s guide that includes background information, discussion questions, activities, and suggested pairings to other resources to extend the lesson.
Explore more resources for teaching civics
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