Fun Activities to Teach Different Types of Government
Teaching the different forms of government seems easy enough – go over some definitions and provide examples, then quiz your students. But that’s not creating any real meaning for them,…
Make the Citizenship Test the Best Part of Your Civics Class
Once something because a requirement, it often loses its joy. It seems like that’s precisely what’s happened now that the Citizenship Test is a high school graduation requirement in many…
5 Effective Ideas for Teaching the Principles of the Constitution
The main principles of the US Constitution can be tricky to teach for a few reasons. First, you’re introducing them at the beginning of your Civics class before diving into…
Feature image photo credit: Edvin Johansson
5 Introduction Lesson Ideas for the First Days of Leadership Class
Whether you’re teaching Leadership class or advising your school’s student council, the first few back-to-school days matter a ton in setting up the rest of the year for success. There…
Eye-Opening Garbage & Recycling Lesson Ideas to Inspire Your Students
It’s impossible to ignore that our love of stuff is having a negative impact on our world; one that urgently needs to be addressed. This makes it a perfect topic…
5 Eye-Opening Water Conservation Activities Your Students Will Love
Freshwater supply, renewable energy, and overconsumption are all issues that perfectly illustrate how the stuff that really matters doesn’t necessarily fit neatly into one discipline. They certainly belong in an…
Teach Primary Source Analysis Like A Pro With These 5 Strategies
Any history teacher knows that a primary source-based course is the best way to teach the stories and lessons of the past in a way that’s both rich and intriguing. …
Three Branches of Government: Activity Ideas that Engage
No matter how you structure your Civics class, you’re doing a Three Branches of Government unit. There's no way around it. And it’s for sure your biggest unit, with endless…
Feature image photo credit: John Cameron
5 Lesson Ideas to Teach About Sustainability and Eco Footprints
One of my favorite classes to teach has been Contemporary Global Issues. That’s because it shows students how classic subjects like social studies and science are actually inseparable. I’d describe the…
