Civic Stories
The National Constitution Center’s free Civic Stories program is geared toward 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.
Preview How Artifacts Can Spark Curiosity and Deepen Historical Thinking
What You Need to Know:
- Sessions are free and geared toward elementary and middle school students.
- 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.
- Teachers are welcome to arrange for other classes in their school to join their session
Story Themes
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.
Use this form to schedule a session for your class.
As the school year winds down, we are excited to share a pre-packaged on-demand Civic Story program that you can use as a full lesson to keep students engaged and learning until the last bell rings. Civic Stories are 30-minute virtual learning experiences designed for learners in third through eighth grade, giving them the opportunity to engage with the past through artifacts and the stories they tell.
To support use of the on-demand program in your instruction, we’ve prepared a context setting video, the on-demand Civic Story, and an accompanying worksheet.
We invite you to preview and then use this lesson with your students:
- Short Video to Explore Before The Civic Story: What Is an Artifact?
Our Civic Stories are centered around artifacts. Artifacts are powerful primary sources that help us connect with the people, ideas, and experiences that shaped history. In this short video, students join Herbie the Hedgehog Historian to discover how artifacts can spark curiosity, encourage close observation, and deepen historical thinking. - On-Demand Civic Story: Faith and Freedom in America
In this virtual on-demand Civic Story program, students will learn from an NCC Education team member and explore the role religious liberty played during America’s founding through the lens of a Revolutionary-era artifact. - Post-Viewing Worksheet
Use this accompanying worksheet as you examine an artifact from the American Revolution.
Designed to be flexible and easy to use, this on-demand resource can fit into end-of-year schedules while still encouraging thoughtful civic learning and student engagement.
We would love to hear your feedback after using the materials with your students. Your insight will help us continue building meaningful and accessible civic learning experiences for classrooms nationwide. Share your feedback with [email protected].
Explore the many voices and perspectives that shaped the Revolutionary War, far beyond the battlefield. These stories reveal how different groups fought for freedom, identity, and survival in a nation being born.
For this topic, we have created pre- and post- on-demand videos that can serve as wraparound content for your students to help them to engage with the topic of the American Revolution and concept of artifact exploration more deeply. Love the videos? Let us know at [email protected].
Share this Video with Your Students Before the Civic Story Program
Extend the Civic Story Experience by Sharing this Video After the Program
What did the Founders mean by “happiness,” and how does it connect to being a good citizen today? In this program, students explore the idea of civic virtue, the qualities and habits that help us contribute to a thriving community and democracy. Through the examination of an artifact related to this theme, students reflect on what it means to build good character, act responsibly, and work together for the common good.
By analyzing a unique artifact from American History, this class focuses on religion in early America and explores the story of Ann Lee and the "Shaker Quakers." Students will examine what freedom of religion meant in the founding era and how the Quakers’ experiences helped shape ideas about religious liberty in the United States.
Dive into the five freedoms protected by the First Amendment—speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition—through real stories of Americans using their rights to shape our democracy.
Trace the evolving struggle for civil rights across communities and centuries. These stories highlight courage, resistance, and the ongoing fight for justice and equality under the law.
America’s expansion was driven by ambition, migration, and innovation, but also came with consequences. These stories reveal how growth shaped identity and opportunity, often at great cost.
Voting is fundamental to democracy, but it hasn't always been guaranteed. These stories reveal the long, hard fights for access to the ballot and who gets a say in our government.
