Democracy begins in kindergarten. While most people think civic education starts in high school government class, our panel of passionate elementary educators reveals how young children are already practicing citizenship daily through classroom voting, community service, and learning about their responsibilities to one another.

These elementary teachers—representing second, third, and fifth grades from schools across Arizona and Kentucky—share innovative ways they incorporate civic learning despite packed schedules dominated by tested subjects. Rather than treating civics as "one more thing," they seamlessly integrate democratic principles into reading, writing, and even math lessons. When students vote on classroom rewards or graph their favorite ice cream flavors, they're experiencing democracy firsthand in ways that connect to their immediate lives.

The conversation explores how classroom activities like recycling programs, buddy systems with younger grades, and school community service projects teach children that their voices and actions matter. As one teacher explains, "We want them to be leaders...that help and don't just see someone struggling." Through age-appropriate activities, students develop the vocabulary, background knowledge, and sense of shared responsibility that will prepare them for more advanced civic learning later.

What emerges is a powerful reminder that elementary classrooms aren't just places where children learn academic foundations—they're civic laboratories where future citizens first discover their voices and responsibilities within a community larger than themselves. As one teacher succinctly states, "America doesn't work unless we want it to," highlighting why civic education must begin with our youngest learners.

Ready to help your elementary students become engaged citizens? Listen now to discover practical activities and cross-curricular strategies that make civic learning accessible and meaningful for K-5 classrooms.

The Arizona Constitution Project

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Imagine a civics classroom where every student—regardless of ability, background, or learning style—can fully engage with the democratic principles that shape our society. Three exceptional educators from a civic literacy cohort share their revolutionary approaches to differentiating civic education, transforming traditional multiple-choice instruction into vibrant, accessible learning experiences.

These master teachers, representing elementary, middle, and gifted education, reveal practical strategies for making civic concepts come alive for all learners. From inquiry-based activities with "low entry, high ceiling" approaches to creative assessment methods that prioritize understanding over memorization, they demonstrate how modern civic education can reach every student in meaningful ways.

You'll discover how innovative techniques like hexagonal thinking help students visualize connections between civic concepts, while role-playing activities and simulations transform abstract principles into tangible experiences. The teachers share how they've successfully used everything from Hamilton songs to fake guillotines to make civic knowledge stick, proving that engagement and emotional connection are the true keys to lasting civic understanding.

Most powerfully, these educators explain how they connect abstract constitutional principles to students' everyday experiences—comparing international conflicts to playground disagreements or helping students see how First Amendment rights apply in their daily lives. Through these real-world connections, civics transforms from a collection of facts to a framework for understanding society.

Whether you're a new teacher seeking a foundation for teaching civics, a veteran educator looking for fresh approaches, or anyone passionate about preparing the next generation of engaged citizens, these insights will inspire you to reimagine how we teach democracy. Join the movement to ensure every child receives the civic education they deserve and develops the knowledge and skills to become active, informed participants in our democratic process.

The Arizona Constitution Project

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Nancie Lindblom shares how meaningful professional development can transform teachers from classroom managers to content experts to civic education leaders.

• PD needs evolve from classroom management focus in early years to content expertise in later years
• Immersive experiences like visiting historical sites with expert historians create deeper understanding
• The James Madison Fellowship provides fully-funded master's degrees in American history and government
• Content-focused PD helps teachers develop curriculum that spreads beyond their own classroom
• Professional networks formed through PD programs provide ongoing support and opportunities
• Teaching "hard history" with civil dialogue is especially needed in today's polarized environment
• ASU's Center for American Civics offers local opportunities for teacher and student development
• Students are capable of sophisticated historical analysis and civic engagement when properly guided
• Programs like We the People, Project Citizen, and Youth and Government develop students' civic capabilities

Explore professional development opportunities through the James Madison Fellowship, ASU's School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership, and other organizations mentioned in the episode.

The Arizona Constitution Project

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Interested in a Master's Degree? Check out the School of Civic and Economic Leadership's Master's in Classical Liberal Education and Leadership

What does it truly look like to empower students as citizens? Justin Glodowski, a 14-year veteran teacher from Wisconsin, reveals practical strategies that transform students from passive learners into active civic participants.

Justin's approach begins with a foundational belief: if we want students to become engaged citizens, we must first teach them how to discuss difficult topics productively. Drawing from his experience teaching AP Government to freshmen, he shares how establishing clear discussion norms creates a classroom environment where students can tackle controversial issues more effectively than many adults on social media.

The magic happens when students take ownership of their learning. Through congressional simulations where students draft legislation on issues from corn mazes to taxation reform, they experience the complexity of governance firsthand. Justin's Socratic seminars—complete with peer evaluation scorecards—develop crucial skills for democratic participation while making abstract concepts tangible.

Perhaps most valuable is Justin's framework for discussing controversial topics through the lens of constitutionality rather than personal opinion. By encouraging students to think like constitutional scholars rather than simply sharing feelings, he elevates classroom discourse and builds critical thinking skills essential for citizenship.

Beyond specific activities, Justin emphasizes the importance of teacher collaboration and professional development. His podcast "Engage" exemplifies his commitment to sharing resources that make civics education interactive and meaningful. When asked what gives him hope, his answer is simple yet profound: students genuinely want to understand their world, and when given the opportunity, they demonstrate remarkable capacity for thoughtful civic dialogue.

Ready to transform your approach to civics education? Listen now to discover specific strategies you can implement immediately to create your own laboratory for democracy.

The Arizona Constitution Project

Check Out Our Free Lessons on Arizona History and Government!

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Interested in a Master's Degree? Check out the School of Civic and Economic Leadership's Master's in Classical Liberal Education and Leadership

Four experienced teachers from diverse grade levels share how they collaborated to create a comprehensive civic literacy curriculum that equips students with essential knowledge and skills for democratic participation. Their teacher-created lessons span from kindergarten through high school, providing developmentally appropriate activities that make civic education accessible and engaging for all learners.

• Civic studies often get "put on the back burner" despite its critical importance for developing engaged citizens
• The curriculum provides standalone lessons that don't need to be awkwardly incorporated into existing frameworks
• Materials are differentiated for various age bands, and some are available in Spanish to support language diversity
• Lessons incorporate primary source documents, discussion questions, and hands-on activities
• The curriculum helps students develop critical thinking skills and practice civil discourse across polarized viewpoints
• Teachers emphasize that civic literacy creates a "ripple effect" when students bring discussions home
• Materials also include adult learner resources that can assist those studying for citizenship tests
• Democracy requires ongoing work to maintain, and civic education prepares students for that responsibility

Check out the free Civic Literacy Curriculum created by teachers for teachers.

The Arizona Constitution Project

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Interested in a Master's Degree? Check out the School of Civic and Economic Leadership's Master's in Classical Liberal Education and Leadership

Dr. Monica Ketchum-Cardenas, president of the Arizona Council for History Education, shares an array of resources and opportunities available to Arizona history and civics teachers that many educators don't know exist.

• ACHE membership costs only $25 annually and includes free conference access plus National Council for History Education membership
• The organization offers classroom grants up to $500 for curriculum materials and resources
• ACHE provides scholarships for teachers to attend the national conference with registration and travel funding
• This year's conference theme "Conflict and Cooperation" explores how Americans have navigated challenging historical periods
• Teachers can become civic leaders through community involvement without running for office
• Social media comparisons like "What would Common Sense look like on TikTok?" make history relevant to students
• Practical classroom assignments like designing awareness campaigns help students understand civic engagement
• Arizona's diverse landscape and independent-minded population provide rich opportunity for exploring local history

Join the Arizona Council for History Education through the link in our show notes to access these resources and attend the September conference featuring keynote speaker Dr. Stephen Knott.

ACHE Website
ACHE Conference
StoryTime with Ms. Moni

The Arizona Constitution Project

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Interested in a Master's Degree? Check out the School of Civic and Economic Leadership's Master's in Classical Liberal Education and Leadership

The invaluable expertise of classroom teachers is the foundation of effective civic education, as demonstrated by three veteran educators who share their experiences developing curriculum that truly engages students.

• Teachers know their students better than anyone, allowing them to create curriculum that addresses knowledge gaps
• Post-COVID classrooms present unique challenges that only current teachers fully understand
• Teachers should not shy away from controversial topics but instead use primary sources to help students form opinions
• Professional networks and connections significantly enhance teaching effectiveness
• "Chunking" lessons into 12-15 minute segments keeps students engaged, especially in today's attention-challenged environment
• Administrators must trust teachers' judgment and provide meaningful support
• Teacher-developed curriculum is more practical and effective than lessons created by those distant from classrooms
• Building mentor relationships is crucial for new teachers facing the challenges of the profession

Want to expand your professional network? Reach out to Liz Evans at lizevans@asu.edu to connect with experienced educators who can support your civic education journey.

The Arizona Constitution Project

Check Out Our Free Lessons on Arizona History and Government!

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Interested in a Master's Degree? Check out the School of Civic and Economic Leadership's Master's in Classical Liberal Education and Leadership

Teachers on the frontlines of civic education share strategies for empowering students to become confident, engaged citizens through structured resources and collaborative learning approaches.

• Teachers face three main challenges in civic education: time constraints, lack of resources, and hesitation around controversial topics
• Quality structured lessons and primary source documents reduce barriers for educators at all levels
• Elementary students benefit from perspective-taking exercises that create emotional connections to civic concepts
• Middle school teachers can use historical examples as gateways to discussing complex contemporary issues
• High school civic education should focus on fundamental knowledge before tackling controversial topics
• Empowered civics teachers embrace failure, promote respectful discussion, and demonstrate lifelong learning
• Many effective civics educators describe themselves as "accidental civics teachers" who discovered their passion for the subject
• Creating "civically curious" students means teaching skills over content and modeling how to find answers
• Civic education belongs everywhere - not just in social studies classrooms
• Teachers must recognize they're often providing civic knowledge students aren't getting elsewhere

Check out the Civic Literacy Curriculum for free, adaptable lessons created by practicing teachers for all grade levels.

The Arizona Constitution Project

Check Out Our Free Lessons on Arizona History and Government!

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Interested in a Master's Degree? Check out the School of Civic and Economic Leadership's Master's in Classical Liberal Education and Leadership