Briefs & Currents

September 19th, 2024

🎉 Celebrate Civics Education Week!

This week marks an important time for civic engagement in our classrooms. House Joint Resolution No. 627 established Civics Education Week in Virginia over a decade ago, aiming to enhance students' understanding of our government and civic responsibilities.

Ready to bring this legislation to life for your students? Whether you have 5 minutes or 50, this versatile activity is designed to spark curiosity and critical thinking about Virginia's legislative process.

🏛️ Engaging Students with Legislation

Dive into the world of Virginia legislation with your students through our new "Legislation Exploration: Virginia Civics Education" activity.

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🧠 Foster Critical Thinking Through the "See, Think, Wonder" Approach

Check out this interactive notebook activity that guides learners through an examination of HJ 627 using the following framework:

  • Objective observations of the legislation
  • Subjective analysis drawing on background knowledge
  • Question generation to spark curiosity and further research
  • Historical context exploration using primary sources

📓 Versatile Interactive Notebook Activity

Our "Legislation Exploration" interactive notebook is designed with flexibility in mind to suit various classroom needs and time constraints.

Teachers can easily adapt its use to fit their schedules:

  • Use the initial "see, think, wonder" section as a quick bell ringer or warm-up activity to kick-start critical thinking.
  • Extend the exploration to fill a full class period or block, allowing students to delve deeper into the legislative process.
  • Employ the entire activity as a comprehensive, self-guided lesson plan, perfect for substitute teachers or independent study.

This versatility ensures that educators can effectively incorporate civics education into their curriculum, regardless of time limitations or classroom circumstances.

Discover More Resources and Stay Connected

Visit the Educator Resources section on our website for additional materials to enhance your civics instruction.

With Election Day approaching, we're developing new, engaging resources to help you bring Virginia civics to life in your classroom.

Educator Resources

Know an Educator Who Would Enjoy Civics Navigator?

If you found this Civics Brief useful, please share it with fellow social studies educators.

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