The We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Program promotes civic competence and responsibility among the nation’s upper elementary and secondary students. The We the People print textbooks and enhanced ebooks' interactive strategies, relevant content, and simulated congressional hearings make teaching and learning exciting for both students and teachers. The We the People curriculum is an innovative course of instruction on the history and principles of the United States constitutional democratic republic. The program enjoys active support from state bar associations, foundations, and other educational, professional, business, and community organizations nationwide. Since its inception in 1987, more than 30 million students and 75,000 educators have participated in the We the People program.
A research team from Georgetown University has conducted independent studies of We the People that have been confirmed by the U.S. Department of Education’s What Works Clearinghouse, which includes the highest standards for research scholarship. The team found that We the People students scored significantly higher on tests of both civic knowledge and civic dispositions than their peers. These dispositions include (1) respect for the rule of law, (2) political attentiveness, (3) civic duty, (4) community involvement, (5) commitment to government service, and (6) the norms of political efficacy and political tolerance. Additional information and studies can be found at www.civiced.org/research.
Civic Education for all grade levels
Level 2: Middle School
We the People teaches middle school students about civics, government, and active citizenship. The textbook, composed of 6 units and 30 lessons uses critical-thinking exercises, cooperative-learning and a simulated congressional hearing culminating activity to teach the history and principles of constitutional democracy. We the People is aligned with the Common Core State Standards for Reading and Writing and the National Standards for Civics and Government.
Level 1: Upper Elementary
We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution teaches upper elementary students about government and active citizenship. Students explore the history and principles of American constitutional democracy through critical thinking, cooperative learning, and a unique and engaging culminating activity: the simulated congressional hearing.
Level 3: High School
From December to February, We the People high school classes compete at state competitions throughout the country. Each spring, the state winner and wild card classes are eligible to participate in the We the People National Finals in the Washington, D.C, area at the National Conference Center in Leesburg, Virginia. The competition culminates with a top-twelve final round to determine the national winner. In addition, the National Invitational is held at the National Conference Center, allowing middle schools to have the same rich academic experience of presenting prepared statements on constitutional topics and responding to questions from adult judges. The simulated congressional hearing not only deepens student knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, it also builds important 21st-century workplace skills and dispositions, such as working cooperatively as a team, public speaking, managing conflict, and reaching consensus.
Become a Book Club Donor
All three levels of We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution have a textbook that supports classroom learning. The middle and high school levels also have interactive online options. The Nevada Center for Civic Engagement strives to provide teachers who use the We the People program in their classroom with at least one classroom set of books. One classroom set can range from $488 for an elementary class, $599 for a middle school class, and $721 for a high school class. Individual books range from $20-30. We are in the process of working out options for digital textbooks as well.
Textbook Request
Are you using the We the People textbook in your classroom and participating in at least one level of Mock Congressional Hearings? If so, please fill out our textbook request form and we will be in touch with how we can support your materials request.