The Indiana Council for the Social Studies is pleased to highlight a powerful new civics education resource from the Bill of Rights Institute: Government and Politics: Civics for the American Experiment. This free, high-quality curriculum is designed to support educators in delivering rigorous, engaging instruction in U.S. government, civic virtue, and constitutional principles. Ideal for high school government courses—including AP U.S. Government and Politics—the curriculum offers flexibility and depth for a variety of classroom needs.
The curriculum includes 7 thematic units and 40 comprehensive lessons that blend historical documents, thought-provoking case studies, and civic virtue explorations. Students investigate topics such as federalism, civil liberties, the three branches of government, the Constitution, and the role of citizens in a democratic society. Educators will find ready-to-use primary source excerpts, interactive activities, videos, discussion prompts, and assessments that promote inquiry, discussion, and critical thinking.
One of the most distinctive aspects of this curriculum is its integration of civic virtue with foundational knowledge, helping students not only understand the mechanics of government but also the habits of character needed to sustain a constitutional republic. It supports Indiana Academic Standards for U.S. Government and helps schools meet the growing demand for robust, nonpartisan civic education.
To explore and begin using Civics for the American Experiment, visit the Bill of Rights Institute curriculum page. ICSS encourages educators to incorporate this timely and thoughtful resource into their instruction and empower the next generation of informed, engaged citizens.
