Engaging Teaching Resources for California Classrooms

Teaching Civics after Election Day

Engaging Resources for California Classrooms

Bridge the gap between course content and community action by making civics relevant, accessible, and empowering for your students. Pull from a collection of resources, hand-picked to help your students see themselves in civic life.

Once you’ve used any of the resources on this page in your classroom, you’re eligible for the Civic Star Challenge! Find out how teaching civics can help you win prizes.

Encourage Community Engagement

Inspire students to create change and embrace civic life.

Game
K-5
Citizenship & Participation

Neighborhood Good

Meet with your neighbors, make a plan, and do some neighborhood good.

15-30 min.
DBQuest
6-8
The Legislative Branch

Policy, Public Interest, and... Margarine?

Laws are put in place. Sometimes, they are amended. Sometimes, they are repealed. Sometimes, we forget all about them! So what changes? We do!

Multiple sessions
Curriculum Unit
9-12

Citizenship & Participation

Students will learn what it means to be a U.S. citizen, from personal and political rights to means of community engagement.

Multiple sessions

Teach Civil Discourse

Emphasize foundational knowledge, cognitive skills, and participatory skills.

Curriculum Unit
6-8, 9-12

News Literacy

The universe of information we live in is a complicated web of messages with a mind-blowing array of sources, biases, and agendas.
 
Multiple sessions
Game
6-8, 9-12
Road to the Constitution

Constitutional Compromise

Can you find a path forward for a new nation… with a lot of disagreements?

15-30 min.
Video
K-5
Well Versed

Differences, Disagreements, and Democracy

Differences and disagreements are normal in a democracy. Teach kids about civil discourse and compromise through song!

<10 min.
Private i
K-5

How Can Civic Virtue Help Me Be a Good Citizen?

In this inquiry-based unit, students will be introduced to the practices of civic virtue.

Multiple sessions

Scope and Sequence

Your roadmap for iCivics resources, recommending which resources to use in which order, and organized by teaching topic. Plus, explore resources available in Spanish for middle and high school students.

 

Get a Head Start on the California State Seal of Civic Engagement

Prepare your students to be active citizens and give them an academic edge with the California State Seal of Civic Engagement. iCivics’ County Solutions Civic Action Plan provides students with the foundational framework they need to identify community issues.

Popular Educator Resources

Teachers, we want to support you in your professional growth. Get guidance on tackling challenging civics topics in the classroom and elevate your impact for A250.

Educator Resource

We Can Teach Hard Things

You can teach hard things—and should! But you don’t have to do it alone. Let iCivics support you as you navigate the growing challenges of teaching essential civics concepts amidst historic polarization.

Educator Resource

Civic Star Challenge

Engage your students with the Declaration of Independence’s legacy. Teach the themes throughout this school year for chances to win from over 400 incredible prizes.

Ready to dig in?

Get access to our full and comprehensive civics curriculum for all of your instructional needs.
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Use our resources to help your students become informed, more curious, and more engaged in civic life.