4 Digital Resource Activities for Civics and Teaching about the US Government

Civic education has been pushed to the back burner over the years with a higher focus on subject areas like Math, Science, and ELA. Ensuring students receive a high-quality civics education has not been a high priority for many schools, and one of the problems is that textbooks are not adequate for teaching civic skills.

Studies show that teachers need to take a holistic approach to teaching civics (The Six Proven Practices of Effective Civic Learning). It's not just about teaching our students how our government is structured, but students need to be able to examine things like why our government system works the way it does and the challenges to that system.

There are new and exciting technologies available today that allow students to participate in more interactive, thought-provoking learning experiences beyond a textbook, handouts, and paper quizzes.

I want to share with you today four digital resource activities that you can use in your classroom that build knowledge, engage students, and create space for civic learning. These virtual field trips are a great way to combine several different learning styles to present information in a meaningful and interactive way. Plus, these activities are low prep. I've done all of the heavy lifting. I've designed these to include all of the content and built-in links to save you time.

All of the following virtual field trips include Google Earth 360-degree views, informational text, video, visuals, and critical thinking response questions to keep your students engaged and learning. You can find each one individually or check out the discounted bundle.

Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell

This activity will take your students to Philadelphia to learn about Independence Hall. As students tour the different rooms within this building, they learn about significant events such as George Washington accepting command of the Continental Army, and the meeting place where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.

And while Independence Hall tells the story of the nation's birth, it also has a history of tumultuous times. Students will learn about and analyze the history behind the fugitive slave hearing that also took place within Independence Hall. This trip makes stops at Congress Hall, the Old City Hall, Independence Square where Frederick Douglass spoke against slavery, and the Liberty Bell. This trip is designed to bring history to life in your classroom.

Here's what one educator has to say about this virtual field trip: "I have purchased many of these for my classroom, and I am always happy with the quality of them. My students are always engaged in these as they add another level to the social studies/history topic we are covering. Highly recommend."

The U.S. Capitol Building

In this virtual field trip, your students will tour the US Capitol Building. With panoramic views of the Rotunda, the House Chamber, and the Capitol Grounds, your students will learn about the construction, significance, and history of the US Capitol from multiple perspectives.

Here's what one educator has to say about this virtual field trip: "Excellent resource with a lot of great information for students to look at. Highly engaging for students with special needs, ELL, reluctant learners, etc. Highly recommend!"

The White House

Your students will tour the interior rooms and outside grounds of the White House while weaving in the history and significance of this executive residence from multiple perspectives. From visiting the Red Room, the State Dining Room, and touring the Ceremonial Gardens, your students will gain a more well-rounded understanding of the role of the President.

Here's what one educator has to say about this activity: "My students loved this resource! It let them visit a place that most of them will never get to visit. We enjoyed exploring and learning about The White House together, thank you!"

U.S. Supreme Court

This virtual tour will help your students understand the role and responsibilities of the members of the Supreme Court, as well as understand the process of appointing a new member of the court, their tenure, and case selection. Your students will learn how SCOTUS decides to hear a case, the difference between a majority and dissenting opinion, and will learn about major landmark cases throughout the years.

Through visuals, video, and up-close views through Google Earth links, this interactive trip is designed to give your students a well-rounded understanding of the United States Supreme Court.

Virtual Field Trip Structure:

These virtual field trips can be conducted as a teacher-led activity or assigned for partner or independent work. All of these virtual field trips are structured. This means that the informational text and links are meaningful and are meant to lead students to think critically as they respond to the questions throughout the virtual field trip. This is also a great way to keep students accountable as they learn and explore. All response questions are editable, so that you can tailor to your class needs.

Find the discounted bundle here: U.S. Government VFT Bundle