Civic Stories

The National Constitution Center’s free Civic Stories program provides elementary and middle school students from across the country the opportunity to engage with the past through artifacts and the stories they tell. In this setting, students develop a deeper understanding of history and consider the ways in which artifacts humanize history through the individuals, communities, and cultures they represent. Through this practice, students begin to identify where they see themselves, their communities, and their surroundings in the broader scope of American history.

Civic Stories are free, 30-minute virtual learning experiences designed for learners in third through eighth grade. Sessions are facilitated by members of the Center’s Education team and are scheduled at times that work for teachers and their students. Whenever possible, classes are scheduled with other grade-level-appropriate groups from across the country to give students opportunities to engage with peers from diverse communities, perspectives, and backgrounds.

• Sessions are free and open to elementary and middle school classes.
• Sessions are scheduled at times that work for teachers and their students. Whenever possible, classes are scheduled with other grade-level-appropriate student groups from across the country.
• Participating teachers choose a story theme from select constitutional topics that best align with what they are teaching.
• Civic Stories programs are hosted on the Center’s Zoom account. Once your booking is confirmed, we will create and send a Zoom link for accessing the program. If you prefer to use your own streaming platform, please indicate during booking.

Participating teachers can choose a story theme from select constitutional topics that best align with what they are teaching in their curriculum. The specific artifact tied to each story theme will remain a mystery until the day of the program, adding an element of surprise for students. Through this exploration, students will connect with the past, the Constitution, and the ways these historical themes shape our world today.

• First Amendment
• Civil Rights
• Voting Rights
• American Revolution
• Slavery and the Civil War

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