Explore a game for parents and kids from iCivics, a collection of Documents and Debates from TeachingAmericanHistory.org and an online activity form the National Archives. Check out News in the Network.

TeachingAmericanHistory.org has released a two-volume set of the Core Documents Collection – Documents and Debates. The two volumes are structured around a series of topics, each based on a question for debate. For each topic, there is a collection of documents that, together, form the basis of argument over that topic – from those who debated it at a given point in American history. Volume One covers 1493-1865, and Volume Two covers 1865-2009.
The goal is to explore a series of critical moments in American history by asking questions for which there are not simple yes/no answers, but instead call for informed discussion and rational debate. The Documents and Debates readers also include appendices of additional documents, and together are a perfect fit for any American History survey course, including AP U.S. History.

The Newseum has kicked off its spring sweepstakes to fly one educator to Washington to attend its annual Teacher Open House on Oct. 6. Sample classes, attend programs, explore the Newseum and mingle with peers on a day devoted to educators. The prize includes airfare, two nights’ lodging, $200 restaurant gift card, and more Deadline […]

iCivics is excited to announce the launch of the Democracy At Play: A Civic Challenge for Families campaign. The campaign is designed to enable conversations about civics and politics between parents and their kids in a fun, informative, and engaging way.
The Democracy At Play: A Civic Challenge for Families campaign highlights four of iCivics’ most popular games with accompanying discussion questions, a Bingo game on local government, and a coloring and activity book geared toward teaching elementary school students about county government. In an effort to reach Spanish-speaking families, materials are available in both English and Spanish.
Take the Democracy At Play civic challenge here. Share the campaign or join the discussion on social media using the hashtag #DemocracyAtPlay.

Resources from new partners Core Knowledge Foundation, Florida Joint Center on Citizenship at the Lou Frey Institute, and A Lesson on Benjamin Franklin’s ‘Project for Moral Perfection.’

Check out these resources from a variety of CRN partners on landmark Supreme Courts cases, equal protection and the history of the 14th Amendment.

The Florida Joint Center for Citizenship at the Lou Frey Institute has joined the Civics Renewal Network, becoming the 33rd member. The organization promotes the development of enlightened, responsible and actively engaged citizens. It works to accomplish its mission through civic education programs that encourage thoughtful discussion about current policy issues; experiential learning programs that […]

The Civics Renewal Network is pleased to announce that the Core Knowledge Foundation has joined the network. The Foundation’s curriculum covers a range of social studies topics for the upper elementary and middle school levels. The Foundation states that its mission “is to advance excellence and equity in education for all children. To achieve this mission, we offer detailed curricular guidance and materials to schools, teachers, parents, and policymakers — to anyone who believes, as we do, that every child in a diverse democracy deserves access to enabling knowledge. Look for its resources here.

Explore the story of Earth Day, resources on the Vietnam War, and go on a learning adventure with Ben Franklin.

The National Endowment for the Humanities’ EDSITEment project has launched an educational portal for Ken Burns’ 10-part Vietnam War documentary, which tells the story of one of the most consequential, divisive and controversial events in American history. The lessons are organized by the themes that cover the war’s key events and initiatives. Iconic music from the era, audio recordings from inside the Johnson and Nixon administrations, and interviews from those who lived the war draw students into the conflict and related controversies. The portal contains 29 lessons with video clips from the series, most of which can be completed in a classroom period or two. The lessons have been developed for grades 9-12 and can be easily adapted for other grades.