Grade 8   United States and Massachusetts Government and Civic Life

Topic: Declaration of Independence

• Democratic Knowledge Project - Declaration Black-Out Poem, create a poem from the Declaration of Independence 

• Democratic Knowledge Project - National Treasure Fact-Check Activity, check the facts on the movie National Treasure 

• Democratic Knowledge Project - Declaration of Independence Word Search, find the words related to the Declaration of Independence 

 Topic: History of the Constitution

• iCivics game Race to Ratify, play a role in the debate over ratification of the Constitution

Topic: Bill of Rights / Amendments to the Constitution

• Civics 101 - podcasts

• iCivics game Do I Have a Right?, on the Bill of Rights and other amendments

Topic: Elections

• iCivics game Win the White House, run your own presidential campaign, includes Spanish version and supports for English Language Learners

• iCivics game Cast Your Vote, on local elections, includes Spanish version and supports for English Language Learners

Topic: Branches of Government / Checks and Balances

• Civics 101 - podcasts

• iCivics game Branches of Power, to learn about all three branches of government

• iCivics game Executive Command, take on the role of President

• iCivics WebQuest Three Branches: Laws in Action, follow a law from start to finish; students conduct their own research using the questions, pre-vetted websites and guiding tools provided

• iCivics WebQuest Three Branches: Checks and Balances; students conduct their own research using the questions, pre-vetted websites and guiding tools provided

• iCivics WebQuest Being President, the role and responsibilities of the President; students conduct their own research using the questions, pre-vetted websites and guiding tools provided

Topic: Local Government / Civic Participation

• iCivics game Cast Your Vote, on local elections

• iCivics game Responsibility Launcher, on civic duties and responsibilities

• iCivics WebQuest Civic Heroism, on civic duties and acts of civic courage; students conduct their own research using questions, pre-vetted websites and guiding tools provided

• iCivics WebQuest Who Represents Me?, investigate who represents you at the local, state and federal level; students conduct their own research using the questions, pre-vetted websites and guiding tools provided

Topic: Global Citizenship 

• Model UN for Remote Learning - UNAGB MUN Modules - current global issues (2-4 week program, daily lessons)

Topic: News and Media Literacy

• News Literacy Project - provides tools to address misinformation about the current health crisis as well as free access to Checkology, an online platform to help students develop media literacy skills 

• iCivics game NewsFeed Defenders, take on the role of curating a social media site to learn media literacy

• CNN 10 (formerly CNN Student News) - news of the day in 10 minutes

Other Civics Topics

• See resources that address a range of ages, grade levels and topics below.