The Florida Joint Center for Citizenship at the Lou Frey Institute has opened enrollment for its newly revised, self-paced Civics Classroom. A certificate of completion, for 5 hours of professional development, will be issued for each course successfully completed. While the first course, The Prepared Classroom, is especially designed for Florida civics teachers, the courses Read More ⟶
How to Teach Controversial Topics and Civil Debate
Resources that address how issues such as immigration, racism, politics and immigration be discussed in a civil manner, What So Proudly We Hail offers an ebook “The Meaning of Flag Day” explores the history and significance of the American flag with selections from authors and statesmen and The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation offers a series of videos on the American Revolution. Read More ⟶
Distance Teaching Resources
The Civics Renewal Network continues to update its collection of remote learning resources curated from its more than 30 nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations. All resources are free and online to help teachers during these tumultuous times. Read More ⟶
Distance Learning Resources, and a Shout-Out to Teachers
Thank you, educators, for your commitment to your students and innovation in distance teaching during this difficult time. We have seen so many instances of teachers going the extra mile for their students. You’re amazing! We’re here to help keep your students engaged in learning with this curated collection of resources for grades K-12 from the more than 30 partners in the Civics Renewal Network. Read More ⟶
Civics in Real Life
The Florida Joint Center for Citizenship has created a free new resource that is particularly useful for parents and teachers while students are learning at home. Civics in Real Life is a simple, easy-to-use resource that connects civics concepts to current events. The topics are updated twice weekly. Go here to learn more. Read More ⟶
ABOTA Civics Education Announces Essay Contest
ABOTA Civics Education is holding an essay contest for middle and high school students. Winners will be chosen in both groups (grades 6-8 and grades 9-12). They will receive $500 and a possibility of their essay being published. The deadline is May 22, 2020. For more information, go here. Read More ⟶
Resources for Teaching the 19th Amendment
Here is a curated collection of the classroom resources on women’s suffrage that can be found at CivicsRenewalNetwork.org. More resources will be added as we celebrate the 19th Amendment leading up to the anniversary of its ratification on August 18, 2020. Read More ⟶
New Primary Sources Added to DocsTeach
DocsTeach is the online tool for teaching with documents from the National Archives. Recently added are primary sources related to: Green v. County School Board of New Kent County. Parents in New Kent County, Va., complained that the school district was deliberately maintaining a segregated school system after Brown v. Board of Education. The Supreme Read More ⟶
New SCOTUS in the Classroom Case Available
Street Law has announced its spring SCOTUS in the Classroom case – June Medical Services LLC v. Russo (formerly June Medical Services LLC v. Gee). This case involves a challenge to a Louisiana law that requires abortion providers to obtain admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. It was argued on March 4, 2020. Street Law posts case materials as they become available on the SCOTUS in the Classroom program page. Read More ⟶
Core Knowledge Announces New Books and Guides
Twenty-four new American and World History Grade K−2 Student Books and Teacher Guides in the Core Knowledge History and Geography series are available for free download. What’s unique about CKHG for students in Grades K−2? The Student Books are authentic texts, intended to be read aloud by a teacher or parent while young students follow along in their own book, looking at the richly drawn illustrations, engaging photographs, and colorful maps. Read-aloud texts are central to teaching history in these early grades because young students are more able to grasp complex ideas when they hear content read aloud than when they read to themselves. The Teacher Guides offer step-by-step guidance in reading the stories aloud and in discussing their content. They also offer additional wide-ranging activities for teachers and parents to choose — such as, virtual tours of historic sites, history games, craft projects, short video and music clips, as well as activity pages. Check them out now! Read More ⟶