Teaching Civics in the Middle School Classroom

Civics education - or the study of the rights and obligations of citizens in society - is becoming a crucial part of the Social Studies curriculum. In my state, we are incorporating a new Civics elective course this school year in 8th grade. Now you might be thinking, “Students in 8th grade can’t vote!” or “Some of my students aren’t citizens!” I’m here to tell you that neither of these things matters. The early we begin incorporating government and political action into the curriculum, the more well-rounded our students will become. And I’m not talking about radical ideas on either side of the political spectrum. I’m talking about the bare bones of how our government functions and how people can participate in civic engagement. Do the Three Branches of Government ring a bell? Or the first ten amendments of our Constitution? These are just a few examples of what students need to know before they can take on those big action projects that this class is associated with.

Start with introducing the basics. Start with questions like “What do you think civics is?” Once you clarify the meaning, move to the higher-order thinking questions, such as “How would you describe your community?” and “How do Americans make decisions on behalf of the country?” Engage students in a discussion of how civics works through mixed-level questioning. This “What is Civics?" Pear Deck does a fantastic job of allowing students to discuss what civic engagement is and start turning the wheels of how they can be active citizens. You can also use the “Bill of Rights Comic Book" Pear Deck to demonstrate the Constitution's first ten amendments in a way that students can easily break down on their own.

Once students understand the basics, they can apply those concepts to everyday life. Give students real-world examples so they can see their rights and the rights of others in action. This “U.S. Constitution" Pear Deck includes examples of real-world situations to that students can apply the Bill of Rights. Expand upon these concepts by using iCivics - a free website that Social Studies teachers swear by to teach civics and government! When students can understand their rights, it will be easier for them to identify problems in their communities and take action. They will be able to brainstorm ways to engage in civic activities - like voting or community action - or encourage others to do so.

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