Middle School Civics
This section includes resources for civics classes with content and activities geared towards middle school and younger learners. The following resources are organized by the three branches of government. Click on each title to expand the section and view the featured resources from C-SPAN Classroom.
Legislative Branch
Introduction
Video Clip: Touring the U.S. Capitol (6:09)
On This Day: Cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol Laid (10 Clips)
Bell Ringers
Bell Ringer: History of the U.S. Capitol (2:03)
Bell Ringer: Powers of Congress Examples (3 Clips)
Bell Ringer: The Role of the Senate (2:53)
Bell Ringer: The Number of People per Congressional District (2:36)
Lesson Plans
Lesson Plan: Primary and Secondary Sources: Trailblazers in Congress (4 Clips)
Lesson Plan: How A Bill Becomes A Law (8 Clips)
Lesson Plan: Choice Board: Expressed and Implied Powers (1 Clip & Activities)
Lesson Plan: Choice Board - Researching Your U.S. Senators (Multiple Options)
Lesson Plan: Choice Board - Researching Your Members in the U.S. House of Representatives (Multiple Options)
Lesson Plan: Introduction to Congressional Committees (Clips and Activities)
Executive Branch
Introduction
Video Clip: Touring the White House (4:31)
On This Day: Cornerstone of the White House Laid (7 Clips)
Bell Ringers
Bell Ringer: The Role of the President's Cabinet (2 Clips)
Bell Ringer: Special Sessions of Congress: Truman's Turnip Day Speech (2:20)
Bell Ringer: Nominating Judges and Impact on a President's Policy Agenda (4 Clips)
Bell Ringer: Identify the Role of the President (4 Clips)
Bell Ringer: Identifying Roles of the President (3 Clips)
Lesson Plans
Lesson Plan: Checks and Balances (7 Clips)
Lesson Plan: The Role of the Executive Branch in Policy Making (6 Clips)
Lesson Plan: Presidential Veto and Congressional Override (5 Clips)
Lesson Plan: The Role of Executive Departments (15 Clips)
Judicial Branch
Introduction
Video Clip: Touring the Supreme Court (2:49)
Bell Ringers
Bell Ringer: Importance of the Supreme Court (2:12)
Bell Ringer: The Power of the Supreme Court to Check the President (2 Clips)
Bell Ringer: Due Process and the Miranda Warning (3 Clips)
Lesson Plans
Lesson Plan: Supreme Court Justices Research and Resumes (1 Clip and Research)
Lesson Plan: Federal Court Structure (11 Clips)
Lesson Plan: Judicial Review and Marbury v. Madison (6 Clips)
Lesson Plan: 14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause (7 Clips)