Curriculum Materials

Elementary School

Elementary School

The Tired King 

In this lesson, students are introduced to the three functions of government (legislative, judicial, and executive) through a story about an overworked king who must handle all the tasks of government. Next, students are given descriptions of the three functions of government and asked to match tasks to departments (lawmakers, executives, and judges).

The River 

This two-part lesson demonstrates natural and human impact on the environment by examining changes in a hypothetical river system over time. In part one, students worked in groups to solve a hypothetical problem about a river during one of these eras. In part two, students will present their problems and solutions in chronological order, thus revealing a story of one river over time. Finally, students will discuss issues around water pollution in their own community and consider possible ways of addressing pollution problems. Ideas for service projects are also included.

Wolf v. California 

In this moot court activity, based on the story of the Three Little Pigs, the wolf is appealing his conviction for manslaughter of Little Pig Two. Students will read a news article explaining why Mr. Wolf is appealing his case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Next, working in groups, students will act as attorneys and justices to prepare for a mock Supreme Court case. Finally, students will act out a Supreme Court oral argument, with attorneys for each side arguing their case and the justices making a ruling.

Middle School

Middle School

How Should Judge Our Nation’s Founders? A Civil Conversation (CivCon) 

In this lesson for middle or high school classes, students read a short text that poses questions and describes differing viewpoints about honoring Founding Fathers of the United States, as well as other historical figures, who were slave owners. Then, students participate in a CivCon based on the reading and their own questions about these issues.

Policing the Police

In this simulation lesson, students focus on issues of police discipline. First, using a reading and discussion, students learn about the processes many police departments use to investigate citizen complaints about misconduct and for disciplining officers. Then, in a simulation activity, students take the role of members of a Police Board of Rights to make decisions about a hypothetical case.

Rome: Republic to Empire

This lesson provides an overview of the governance of the Roman Empire. First, students hold a discussion on what a dictator is. Then they read and discuss an article on the beginning of Rome, the Roman Republic, and its transformation into an empire. Finally, in small groups, students role-play members of a congressional committee deciding on whether the U.S. Constitution should be amended to give the president greater powers in an emergency.

High School

High School

The Montgomery Bus Boycott

 In this primary source-analysis lesson, students examine the importance of different civic actions involved in the Montgomery Bus Boycott and how civil rights leaders built a constituency for the successful boycott in 1955 and 1956. Students analyze documents by the Rev. Ralph Abernathy, Bayard Rustin, Jo Ann Robinson, and others. 

The Global Refugee Crisis

In 2022, the UN announced that the global refugee population exceeded 100 million people for the first time in history. In this reading and activity, students learn about major conflicts that have produced tens of millions of these refugees and the enormous challenges they face. Students then examine UN policy and make recommendations about climate refugees.

Why Don’t More People Vote? A Civil Conversation (CivCon)

In this lesson, students discuss the problem of low voter turnout and explore ways to increase it. The CivCon activity is a structured discussion under the guidance of a facilitator (the teacher), in which participants are encouraged to engage intellectually with challenging materials, gain insight about their own point of view, and strive for a shared understanding of issues.