Democracy Begins in the Classroom: A Teacher-Created Curriculum

Four experienced teachers from diverse grade levels share how they collaborated to create a comprehensive civic literacy curriculum that equips students with essential knowledge and skills for democratic participation. Their teacher-created lessons span from kindergarten through high school, providing developmentally appropriate activities that make civic education accessible and engaging for all learners.

• Civic studies often get "put on the back burner" despite its critical importance for developing engaged citizens
• The curriculum provides standalone lessons that don't need to be awkwardly incorporated into existing frameworks
• Materials are differentiated for various age bands, and some are available in Spanish to support language diversity
• Lessons incorporate primary source documents, discussion questions, and hands-on activities
• The curriculum helps students develop critical thinking skills and practice civil discourse across polarized viewpoints
• Teachers emphasize that civic literacy creates a "ripple effect" when students bring discussions home
• Materials also include adult learner resources that can assist those studying for citizenship tests
• Democracy requires ongoing work to maintain, and civic education prepares students for that responsibility

Check out the free Civic Literacy Curriculum created by teachers for teachers.

The Arizona Constitution Project

Check Out Our Free Lessons on Arizona History and Government!

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