The Civics Renewal Network welcomes the New-York Historical Society Education Division as its 39th partner! We’re delighted to team up to share its dynamic programming and curriculum resources drawn from its world-renowned collections and exhibitions. The Historical Society believes historical study sparks curiosity and creativity, promotes cultural understanding, and fosters an empowered citizenry to strengthen our democracy.

Plus, we’re helping you to get ready for the Fourth of July! We’ve gathered fireworks-ready resources for learners of all ages! Go here to explore the resources.

Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow

This free curriculum guide from the New-York Historical Society explores the contested efforts toward full citizenship and racial equality for African Americans that transpired in the fifty years after the Civil War. Examining both the activism for and opposition to Black citizenship rights, the materials in this curriculum underscore how ideas of freedom and citizenship were redefined by government and citizen action, and challenged by legal discrimination and violence.

For more resources from the New-York Historical Society, go here.

Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 prohibited discrimination on the basis of sex in educational settings. The law applied to any educational institution that received federal funding. This lesson from C-SPAN Classroom has students learn about what Title IX does and explore its impact on gender equality today.

For more resources from C-SPAN Classroom, go here.

The Role of the Judiciary

In this lesson from the Constitutional Rights Foundation, students learn about the judicial system. First, students read and discuss an article on the role, structure, and principles of the judiciary. Next, they participate in a Civil Conversation on the reading. In this structured discussion method, under the guidance of a facilitator (the teacher), participants are encouraged to engage intellectually with challenging materials, gain insight about their own point of view, and strive for a shared understanding of issues.

For more resources from the Constitutional Rights Foundation, go here.

  • Constituting America: Teachers and students can enter its We the Future contest. Learn more.
  • George Washington’s Mount Vernon: Applications are open for its fall institute. Learn more.
  • Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History: Register for summer teacher seminars. Learn more.
  • Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History: Register for Summer History School classes. Learn more.
  • National Archives: What Happens in Washington is a new distance learning program for K-2 students. Learn more.
  • NewseumED: Free professional developments webinars. Learn more.
  • U.S. Courts: Attend a virtual summer teacher institute to learn about the courts. Learn more.