Elementary Civics Education

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Elementary Civics Education

Age-Appropriate Activities

There are many ways to make civics education fun and engaging. Since this concept revolves around real-world application, then things such as simulations, debates, etc. are great activities to incorporate into any elementary civics classroom. Click below to read about specific age-appropriate civics activities.

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Content Knowledge and Skills

Students should be building a strong foundation in civics during elementary school in order to be equipped with the skills they need to be active and responsible citizens. Civics knowledge and skills are not taught just because it's a requirement; they're taught because students need to be well-informed of their duties and responsibilities as a citizen of the United States. Click below to read more.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TFYy7IPWn7SuaCrP6gv16czS7JqidGLxETxHP1llksE/edit?usp=sharing

Plan a different activity for each of the following age groups that will reinforce civics conceptual understanding.

Copy and paste this link in a new browser to view my table for age-appropriate civics education activities.

Lessons |. (n.d.). Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://texaslre.org/lessons/ ‌Citizen Genius. (2019). Duties and Responsibilities of U.S. Citizens. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j6wfUgT_ng ‌

References

What knowledge/skills should be included in teaching civics to elementary school students and when should these concepts be taught?

In elementary civics education, students are beginning to build their foundation of these basic civic principles and concepts. Some basic ideals are introduced even earlier than elementary for some. For example, having a set of rules in a preschool classroom or having students vote on small things such as what to do at recess. The skills and knowledge that should be included in teaching civics to elementary school children are the following: the 3 branches of government (and what each is in charge of), how laws are made and who makes them, representations of the U.S. through songs, symbols, and structures (Star-Spangled Banner, U.S. flag, Mount Rushmore), historical documents (U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, Emancipation Proclamation, Articles of Confederation, Gettysburg Address), and the difference between federal and state governments. These concepts should all begin to be introduced in pre-k/1st grade and build in complexity until 6th grade. By 6th grade, students should be able to recite things such as the preamble to the U.S. Constitution. Students should also learn skills in elementary civics such as how to vote, communicating/debating, and critical thinking.