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Developing students’ civic knowledge provides them with a context for understanding world news and ultimately turns young people into informed, engaged citizens who effectively spark change within their communities and beyond. Current events provide students with opportunities to see the real-world applications of topics covered in class, but good high school civics courses also cover civic history.
Whether you’re looking for high school politics and government lesson plans, activities to supplement high school civics classes, or current events projects to encourage student discussion, these resources will help you teach our future change-makers.
Resources about the U.S. Constitution and the functions of government
From lessons on the structure and process of U.S. government to high school debates on the U.S. Constitution, use these resources to inspire students to engage in civic affairs. These are also great themes for Constitution Day events!
U.S. Citizenship and Government Pre-Test
Author: Samantha, Secondary School
Grade: 6-10
Before beginning instruction, check student understanding of content using pre-assessments on branches of government, the U.S. Constitution, government organizations, and basic government functions.
Crash Course: Government & Politics Watching Guide for All Episodes (Bundle)
William Pulgarin
Grade: Grade 8-12
These graphic organizers will help your students capture important information while watching videos about government and politics.
Citizenship Day 1 – What is Government
Author: Let us cultivate greatness
Grade: Grades 9-12
Challenge your students to engage in deeper discussions about their understandings, misconceptions, and values by clarifying basic concepts of citizenship and government in this activity.
Resources about elections, voting, and civic engagement
Help students understand what it means to be an active citizen so they can be prepared to stand for election when they turn 18, if they so choose. Be sure to provide examples of civic engagement so students can truly illustrate these concepts.
American Government and Citizenship: Running for Office and Engaging Citizenship Bundle
Author: Ms. Social Studies Teacher
Grade: Grade 5-12
The bundle includes activities on elections, campaigning and civic engagement. Students will learn about bias, tokenism, and propaganda and participate in a mock election event.
M&M’s Redistricting and Gerrymandering Campaign
Save our social research by
Grade: Grades 9-12
Use this activity in any government, civics, or human geography course to introduce students to redistricting and gerrymandering in a visual way.
Political Systems and Electoral Process PowerPoint and Guidance Notes
Author: History Girl
Grade: Grades 9-12
From political parties and the Electoral College to discussing the factors that shape public opinion, this course covers many aspects of political systems and the electoral process.
US Elections | Presidential Election Process | US Government US Election Process
By Holly’s Social Studies Shop
Grade: Grades 9-12
This resource includes warm-ups, lecture slides, cloze notes, and activity ideas that will help your U.S. Government or AP U.S. Government students understand the process and timeline of U.S. elections.
Resources to engage students in politics and current affairs
Reporting current events to high school students is an important part of any civics curriculum. It gives students the opportunity to learn about the realities of government and civic issues through relatable stories.
AP Language/Composition – What happened on Wednesday – Current Affairs
Educated by Stewart School
Grade: Grades 9-12
Help your high school students gain a broad understanding of current events through a weekly activity where students write an article about current events and discuss the topic with the class.
What should be included in a high school civics course?
The NCSS National Social Studies Curriculum Standards cover 10 topics, some of which are specific to civics. This is a great starting framework when creating or selecting a high school civics curriculum.
Topics covered include:
- exercise political power ethically
- Scope and limitations of authority
- the purposes and functions of government
- Rights and responsibilities of citizens under constitutional democracy
- Managing scientific and technological progress in a way that benefits everyone
- Privacy protection
- Basic freedoms and rights of citizens of democratic countries
- citizen participation
- Civic ideals and practices in other countries
Civics and Government Progress Guide, Scope and Sequence Free, Civics Course
Lessons Learned LLC
Grade: Grades 6-12
This massive bundle breaks down key topics for teaching Civics and Government courses throughout the year or by semester. It includes dozens of lesson plan guides on Civics, World Geography, U.S. History, and World History.
Customize your high school civics curriculum with TPT
Depending on where you live and the standards and regulations set by local and state authorities, it may be difficult to find an off-the-shelf curriculum for your high school civics course. With high school civics resources, you can tailor your lessons to make them feel relevant and engaging for your students.
