Civics for All of US

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Civics for All of US is a new national civic education initiative from the Richard Nixon Presidential Library, Center for Legislative Archives, and the National Archives that promotes civic literacy and engagement. As part of this initiative, the education team at the Nixon Presidential Library and educators across the National Archives will be providing teachers with programming, curricula, and exceptional field trip experiences both online and in-person. Visit https://civics.archives.gov/ to learn more!

Current offerings: 

Student Programs

Live, interactive distance learning programs are available for groups of 10 or more students free of charge. Programs take a hands-on approach to the founding documents of the United States, using the holdings of the National Archives to explore the big ideas of the Constitution and Bill of Rights and promoting the knowledge and skills students need for civic engagement in the 21st century. Teacher guides for each program provide additional pre- and post program activities for classroom use. Request your program today.

The Constitution Rules! (Grades K–2) 
30 minutes
Students will explore the idea of different responsibilities in their community and analyze images that highlight the jobs of the three branches of government as outlined in the Constitution.
 
Make Your Voice Count: Learning About the First Amendment (Grades K–2) 
30 minutes
Students will explore the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights using primary historical sources to learn about the importance of rights and how to exercise their freedoms.
 
The Constitution and Our Community (Grades 3–5) 
45 minutes
Students will explore the idea of community, hone their primary source analysis skills by examining government records, and connect the Constitution to their own lives.
 
The First Amendment: Five Rights in One (Grades 3–5) 
45 minutes
Students will explore the First Amendment freedoms from the Bill of Rights in this interactive and engaging civics program based on historical primary sources from the National Archives. Students will learn about the importance of First Amendment rights, identify examples in photographs and short written documents, and discover how to exercise those freedoms.
 
Voting Rights, The Constitution & Representative Government (Grades 6–8) 
30–60 minutes
Using the Constitution, constitutional amendments, and legislation, students will explore the progression of voting rights in the United States and its impact on representative government. Additional primary source documents from the National Archives, including photographs and political cartoons, will enhance student understanding of the ways in which contemporary events and public civic engagement influence their lives today.
 
The Bill of Rights Protects You (Grades 6–12)
45–60 minutes
Students will explore the Bill of Rights and how it outlines both limits on government and the rights of the people. We will work together to analyze three case studies that underscore the remedies that citizens can use to address instances where their rights have been violated. This program will introduce students to the Bill of Rights and strengthen their civic understanding.

No Conscription Without Representation: Voting Rights and the Constitution (Grades 9–12)
30–60 minutes
Using the Constitution, constitutional amendments, legislation, and a Supreme Court case, students will explore the progression of voting rights in the United States with particular focus on the effort to lower the voting age to 18. Additional primary source documents from the National Archives, including photographs, video recordings, and political cartoons, will enhance student understanding of the ways in which contemporary events and public civic engagement influence their lives today.
 
Student programs are also offered as regularly scheduled webinars. Registration is required, but there is no minimum attendance prerequisite for student webinars.

Click HERE to see the spring 2023 schedule.

Teacher Workshops
Free, regularly scheduled professional development workshops for educators explore how to use primary sources to delve into the big ideas of the founding documents of the United States. During each interactive program, participants will engage with primary sources and partake in collaborative group work and discussion to discover how to use National Archives resources and programs to teach civic knowledge and skills.

Teacher Programs

2023 Civics for All of US Teacher Institute with the National Archives
Teachers working with grades 3–12 are invited to apply for the inaugural Civics for All of US Teacher Institute with the National Archives taking place in Washington, DC, from July 17–21, 2023. This five-day institute will include special tours and activities in the National Archives Museum, guest speakers, hands-on sessions featuring strategies for teaching civics with primary sources, and site visits to additional landmarks and museums in the nation’s capital. Each participant will receive a stipend to help cover travel and other expenses. Learn more here and apply by March 31, 2023.

The 2023 Civics for All of US Teacher Institute is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation.