Teaching democracy curricula
Civics materials for high school students
Thanks to the work of UVA Democracy Biennial Fellows from across Virginia, all educators have access to these groundbreaking civics curricula for middle and high schoolers. The materials were created through a collaboration between the University of Virginia's Center for the Liberal Arts (CLA) and the Miller Center.
Download any of the following free curricula:
Realizing the American dream
Cluny Brown, Clover Hill High School, Chesterfield County
This unit explores the meaning of the American Dream and its evolution over time. Activities highlight the construction of national identity, the role of immigration, the future of economic and social mobility, the pursuit of racial justice, the impact of poverty, and the exercise of religion.
Download the "Can you see me?" PowerPoint presentation
Download the "Immigration and democracy" PowerPoint presentation
Download the "Poverty and economic mobility" PowerPoint presentation
Download the "Economic mobility and the American dream" movie
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Civic rights, responsibilities, opportunities
Tina Takach, UVA School of Education & Development
This unit explores the roles and responsibilities of citizens in advancing American democracy. Activities highlight First Amendment freedoms, civic duties, civic engagement, public service, and community mobilization.
Download the Discussion Template PowerPoint presentation
Download the Lesson 1 PowerPoint presentation
Download the "See, Think, Me, We" PowerPoint presentation
Download the "Social identity map" PowerPoint presentation
Download the "Choice board" PowerPoint presentation
Download the "Cyber sandwich" PowerPoint presentation
Download the "First Amendment freedoms" PowerPoint presentation
Download the "See, wonder, connect" PowerPoint presentation
Download the "Group membership" PowerPoint presentation
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Governing America
Kimberly Dove, Wilbur S. Pence Middle School, Rockingham County
This unit examines the workings of Congress, the Electoral College, and the Judiciary, exploring their functions, processes, and roles in American life. Activities focus on congressional representation and use of the filibuster, the organization of the federal court system and the role of judicial review, and the pros, cons, and alternatives to the Electoral College system of voting.
Unit 1: Congress
Download the "Congress overview" PowerPoint presentation
Download the "Congress concept map" illustration
Download the "Representation in Congress" PowerPoint presentation
Download the "Lawmaking procedures" PowerPoint presentation
Download the "Bill to law" PowerPoint presentation
Unit 2: Electoral College
Download the "Supporting question 1" PowerPoint presentation
Download the "Supporting question 2" PowerPoint presentation
Download the "Supporting question 3" PowerPoint presentation
Unit 3: Judiciary
Download the "Judicial review" PowerPoint presentation
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Living democratically
Allen K. Robinson, Charlottesville High School, Charlottesville City
This unit explores the history, meaning, and practice of democracy. Activities focus on the impact of demographic trends, the expansion, contraction, and exercise of the franchise, and challenges and opportunities of enacting constitutional reform.
Download the "What is democracy?" PowerPoint presentation
Download the "Who are we?" PowerPoint presentation
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The presidency
Joseph Servis, Appomattox County High School, Appomattox County
This unit explores the establishment and evolution of executive power through six historical periods, including the Federal, Early National, Antebellum, Civil War & Reconstruction, Progressive & New Deal, and Cold War eras. Activities trace the constitutional roles and responsibilities of the presidency, examining the expansion and contraction of presidential power.
Unit 1: Creation of the presidency
Download the "The presidency as a democratic institution" PowerPoint presentation
Download the "The president and democracy key terms" PowerPoint presentation
Unit 2: Early national period
Download the "Jeffersonian vs. Jacksonian Democracy" PowerPoint presentation
Download the "How democratic is the presidency?" PowerPoint presentation
Download the "Executive privilege" PowerPoint presentation
Unit 3: Antebellum years
Download the "John Quincy Adams - democratically elected?" PowerPoint presentation
Unit 4: Civil War
Download the "Democratic elections in the Civil War and Reconstruction" PowerPoint presentation
Unit 5: Progressive era
Download the "Return to normalcy" PowerPoint presentation
Unit 6: Cold War
Download the "LBJ & Nixon" PowerPoint presentation