If you’re an educator of any kind or simply looking to further your own education, Street Civics applauds you, sees you, and appreciates you. Seriously. You’re awesome and you know it.
Civics education goes far beyond learning capitals and branches of government. At its core, civics (or social studies) seeks to empower individuals and communities with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to foster healthy societies.
The below recommendations is a set of activities meant to strengthen three components of civics education – knowledge, skills, and experiences. The list is broken into three broad age categories – 1) elementary, 2) middle and high school, and 3) advanced and adult learning.
This list of activities will continue to grow. In the meantime, if you aren’t finding what you’re looking for, let us know by tweeting us @streetcivics. And, if the products, services or experiences below don’t meet your expectations, we want to know about it! Tweet us!
- Elementary
- Knowledge building – Continent Race (Geography for Kids Card Game)
- Skill-building – Chess
- Experiential – Global Connections Letter Exchange
- Middle and High School
- Knowledge building – Election Night
- Skill-building – Settler’s of Catan
- Video Games – Civilization IV
- Adult and Advanced Learning
- Knowledge building – Recommended Reading
- Skill-building – Terraforming Mars
- Video Game – Civilization VI
- Skill-building – Headspace (Mindfulness Meditation)
Elementary
Knowledge building – Continent Race (Geography for Kids Card Game)
Continent Race is a fantastic, low-stress card game that teaches kids about geography. The simplicity of the game makes it ideal for classrooms or families that want a fun yet productive game for downtime.
The game is as simple as matching the colors on the cards to get a set of 4. So, it’s quick-paced and perfect for short attention spans. As the game goes on, it provides ample opportunity for kids to get acquainted with geography and flags. Most of the learning is simply exposure-based, which is why it’s so low-stress and allows kids to become curious on their own.
The story behind the game is just as cool as the game itself. Continent Race (originally called “Learn and Get Well”) was designed by a kid named Bryon; kids love it when you give them this background before you start playing. Bryon created the game when he spent 27 days in the hospital after suffering from a ruptured appendix. His nurses noticed his knack for geography during the Olympics and, from there, Byron found encouragement with his family and nurses to develop his own game.
The game indicates it’s for ages 7 and up. The slick design of the board and cards also make it fun for older kids who tend to spend time in between turns investigating the map.
After the first game, kids can usually play by themselves, but the low-energy required to keep the game going makes it ideal for adults who need to stay engaged and haven’t had their coffee yet. You can find the game on our Amazon affiliate link here.
Skill-building – Chess
Skill-building is an important part of well-rounded civics education. Unfortunately, we don’t often consider it to be part of the traditional social studies programs. If the goal, however, is to empower students, then, educators also need to spend time developing critical thinking skills so students can better navigate their lives and communities.
One of the best skill-building activities for children (especially at an early age) is chess. The game is remarkable in many respects and has survived relatively unchanged in over 1,500 years of human history. There are many reasons why chess is called “the game of kings and queens;” not least of which is that ancient rulers understood the power of exercising their critical thinking skills on the chessboard.
The strategic nature of chess makes it an ideal activity to stretch growing minds, and the positive links between chess and IQ have been well-documented. In fact, a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health demonstrated that chess spurs the growth of new connections in the brain, helping to prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.
A small word of caution, though. The game has also been overhyped a little. Claims that the game improves other skills such as reading or visual-spatial skills, for example, are not supported by credible peer-reviewed studies at this stage.
Nonetheless, the game has important lessons for children (and adults) and, anecdotally, I have noticed behavioral changes in some children such as improved self-esteem and better decision-making skills. The benefits, though, are over a long period of time and it takes a consistent, patient approach to learn the game over an academic year or more.
In full disclosure – I’m a chess dork and I may have a slight bias. I’ve actually been teaching chess since I was in kindergarten (total dork). Later, I spent a year in St. Lucia helping the Ministry of Education unroll chess programs in their schools, community centers, and juvenile detention centers.
My experience is that younger children, in particular, can benefit a lot from the game. As kids get older (in the high school years), fewer of them will take an interest (but it can still be effective even at the high school age). Most small children – even kids with short attention spans – will enjoy playing the game and will gain a lot from it.
If you’re an educator or just beginning to learn or teach chess, I’d recommend starting with the Fun Family Chess Set for Kids and Adults. As someone who has been teaching chess for over 30 years – I understand that there are a lot of ways not to teach chess. Making the game simple is a skill and the Fun Family Chess Set gets it right.
One of the best features of the set is the cards that show how each piece moves. Those cards will save you A LOT of time and makes jumping into the game super simple. The game also has a ‘Fun Family Chess’ version of the game which gets your feet wet and is a good warm-up to the game of chess itself. Plus the makers of the game have a nice line up of YouTube videos to walk you through everything. (Beats reading the long dry instruction manual I learned with!) You can find the game via our Amazon affiliate link here.
If you’re an educator trying to unroll a more serious chess education program, however, I would look at First Move. I taught the First Move curriculum in St. Lucia and kids go crazy for these lessons!
The curriculum is geared for a year-long learning process and uses a variety of methods to teach students including videos and physical activities.
The videoes, in particular, are effective. In every single classroom I taught this in, kids would lost their minds when they got answers correct on the video. It was always the best part of the day, here’s the proof…
Experiential – Global Connections: Exchange Letters with Peace Corps Volunteers
Global Connections is a letter exchange program where educators and classrooms in the U.S. are paired with Peace Corps Volunteers and classrooms in the communities they serve abroad. The program can be a great way for students to connect with the world without ever leaving the classroom.
Teachers should go into the program with the understanding that it requires a mixture of commitment and patience. Educators will need to set aside valuable classroom time for students to write their letters as well as to read the letters they get from their new penpals. Keep in mind, too, that Peace Corps Volunteers serve in the far corners of the planet. So, physically sending and receiving letters can take some time. There are digital options for connecting as well but expect technical difficulties.
As a former Peace Corps Volunteer who participated in this program, I can say that my students in rural Turkmenistan loved these letter exchanges. It took time and some elbow grease, but it was a rewarding experience at the end of the day. No doubt, the letters help expand students’ worldview; even simple things like drawings of families and houses give kids a firsthand experience with different cultures.
When I returned from my assignment, I spoke to the U.S. students who wrote to my students in Turkmenistan. During the talk, I could see that the U.S. kids loved the program just as much as my Turkmen students. Actually, the U.S. kids seemed a little bummed I was back and the program was over!
Ideally, the program will work with the Peace Corps Volunteer from your area so before you sign up through the link below, you might want to ask around to see if there are any Volunteers in your network. You can contact them directly and, if they agree to participate, they can set the program up.
You can find more on Global Connections here. (Please note that this is a free program and Street Civics does not receive any benefit if you choose to participate.)
Middle and High School
Knowledge building – Election Night
Election Night is a brilliantly designed board game that allows students to combine civics, geography, and math to compete for the presidency of the United States. The game is perfect for classrooms or for families and has two versions – a simple version based on addition and a more difficult version based on multiplication. So, it’s useable for a wide range of ages.
The premise of the game is to roll dice and either add (easy version) or multiple (difficult version) the dice together. The resulting number matches to certain states and players can then choose which delegate they want to claim from that roll of the dice. Of course, players need to reach 270 delegates to win the game. The strategy involved in picking states allows players to get creative and keeps the game super engaging.
The game started on Kickstarter and has since become a bit of an industry darling, winning several awards including the Parents’ Choice Award and the Brain Child Award. The easier version of the game (based on addition) usually lasts about 30-35 minutes, while the more difficult version (based on multiplication) can take an hour or more.
If you’re a civics teacher or a parent trying to fill some time with some constructive fun, Election Night is a good purchase. You can find the game through our Amazon affiliate link here.
Skill-building – Settler’s of Catan
Settler’s of Catan (now called just ‘Catan’) is a fun board game suitable for kids around 8 and up. Adults love this game too, however. I play this game fairly often with friends and it’s a crowd favorite. In fact, the game has a pretty popular following; at least in part because it manages to be dynamic without being complicated.
Players of the game compete to reach a certain number of ‘victory points’ by settling the island of Catan. Mixing strategy and a bit of luck, players take turns rolling the dice and then taking actions such as collecting and trading resources, laying roads, building settlements, growing cities, and more.
The game is very much a skill-building game, though. Educators and parents should not expect students and kids to build or use civics knowledge per se. The benefit of Settler’s of Catan is that players will practice resource management, strategy, planning, and interpersonal skills.
Studies have shown that board games like Catan can have positive impacts on players ability to relate to each other and apply knowledge. One academic review published in BioPsychoSocial Medicine looked at the impacts of classic and new board games on aspects of cognition. Researchers stated,
“as a tool, board games can be expected to improve the understanding of knowledge, enhance interpersonal interactions among participants, and increase the motivation of participants.”
Catan is so popular among educators that it has been the subject of whole studies itself. One study published in the College Mathematics Journal examined the benefits of the game and noted that,
“…this game provides an open-ended opportunity for students at various proficiency levels to develop their understanding of probability, expected value, and logical thinking…”
It can take a while to complete games and teachers should note that a full game may last longer than one period. The game is designed for 3 to 4 players, but you can get an expansion set for 5 to 6 players as well. You can find both through our Amazon affiliate links – click here for the normal set and here for the extension bundle.
Video Game – Civilization IV
Sid Meier’s Civilization game series is probably the most critically acclaimed strategy series of all time. The Civilization video series has a long (and storied) past and, at this point, the game has been developed from decades of fan support and production commitment. While Civilization IV is an older version, I’d suggest starting with the fourth edition as it’s a little more simplified. (But, if your kids are advanced gamers take a look at Civilization VI).
The premise of the game is for players to establish their own civilization and grow it from a single settler to world power. Civilization is a turn-based strategy game, each turn representing a period of time. Players then develop their civilization through history and eventually beyond the modern area with future technology. Winning the game can be done in a few different ways including cultural victories, winning the space race, a diplomatic victory, and global domination.
While the game features violence and war, it can be a strong learning tool for solving common problems – especially if kids reflect on their games and try to identify what’s driving their decision making. For instance, players will note that where they start on the map shapes their decision-making process and what their civilization looks like overtime. The game is a fascinating simulation that teaches players history, geopolitics, resource management, and diplomacy.
In fact, a 2011 study from the University of Central Florida put together a five-period curriculum that uses Civilization IV to teach history and social studies to 9th graders. The study found that students were heavily engaged in the game and curriculum. One teacher remarked,
“I have never had students this focused on learning history. Sure we get into conversations about the Romans and the Greeks . . . and the kids love it. .. but you can really tell they are engaged.”
Researchers also noted that children with difficulties paying attention were more engaged and no students were seen “off-task.” The key part of the curriculum was a debriefing process that allowed students to think through and debate key resource allocation strategies. Researchers report surprising progressions in the ways students saw the world and how communities can function best.
The study concluded that throughout the debriefing process, students became more nuanced and expressive in their views. Upon reflection, for example, one female student remarked,
“I think that we should try to put efforts into stopping the suffering of people, especially the poor, but need to also look out for everyone in our society. Maybe instead of just picking one or the other, we should try to make sure that people who have the least have enough to get by instead of putting money toward building new technology.”
Unsurprising to life-long fans such as myself, researchers concluded that,
“[u]sing Civilization IV in the classroom offers students new tools with which to be engaged in actively creating new connections to content. It is exciting, fast-paced and can be used to encourage high-order thinking.”
One word of warning though, the game can be a bit addictive! I practically grew up on the Civilization series and I cannot tell you how many times I told myself “just one more turn.” The longterm thinking of the game gives players a drive to keep moving through history and reach the next milestone. While I’ve logged more hours on the game than I should have some days, I credit the Civilization series with helping to foster my personal interest in civics and global affairs. So, there is no doubt in my mind that the game is a great tool for educators and can be a “sandbox” for future leaders.
Adult and Advanced Learning
Knowledge building
If you’re looking for knowledge-building at the adult and advanced stages, check out our resource page dedicated to reading, knowledge, and power.
Skill-building – Terraforming Mars
Terraforming Mars is a cooperative board game where 1-5 players work towards altering the atmosphere of Mars to be liveable for humans. The game is a little complex and can take up to two hours. It’s meant for ages around 12 and up but, no matter your age, you may have to play a few games before you really get the hang of it.
The game is set in the year 2400 when corporations have begun sponsored attempts at transforming Mars. Players race to get victory points by reaching milestones like raising the oxygen and ocean levels or introducing new lifeforms. Along the way, players make resource allocation choices that have long-term impacts on the development of their corporation and Mars. The game offers a lot of nuance that allow for creativity and invites endless replays.
Similar to Settlers of Catan, Terraforming Mars is in a class of boardgame that exercises key mental capacities including resources management, executive decision-making, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills. The game has the added benefit of being a realistic exploration of scientific themes and the game can be considered a fairly sophisticated simulation – especially for being a boardgame!
The game was designed by Jacob Fryxelius, a science teacher with a “passion for analyzing and explaining things.” Fryxelius’ intention for realistic and open-ended gameplay is evident in the extensive layout. Players will be intrigued by the technology brought out by the game and may find themselves contemplating future space exploration for days after playing.
You can find the game on our Amazon affiliate link here. If you’re having trouble getting started, check out the video below which might save you a lot of time down the line.
Video Games – Civilization VI
While we mentioned Civilization IV above for middle and high school students, it’s worth having a separate look at Civilization VI and how it helps adult and advanced learning. (Some material is repeated from the previous section on the fourth edition.)
Sid Meier’s Civilization game series is probably the most critically acclaimed strategy series of all time. The Civilization video series has a long (and storied) past and, at this point, the game has been developed from decades of fan support and production commitment.
The premise of the game is for players to establish their own civilization and grow it from a single settler to world power. Civilization is a turn-based strategy game, each turn representing a period of time. Players then develop their civilization through history and eventually beyond the modern area with future technology. Winning the game can be done in a few different ways including cultural victories, winning the space race, a diplomatic victory, and global domination.
While the game features violence and war, it can is still a strong learning tool for solving common problems and understanding how societies are shaped. For instance, players will note that where they start on the map shapes what their civilization looks like overtime. Civilization is a fascinating simulation that teaches players history, geopolitics, resource management, and diplomacy.
The latest in the series – Civilization VI – offers more complex gameplay than previous versions. Players will find themselves exposed to an array of important executive decision-making drills. The game may then lend itself well to fun team-building activities for employees or colleagues.
Studies have shown that nonaction video games can improve brain health and cognition in adults. For example, a clinical trial published in Frontier in Aging Neuroscience showed that video games like Civilization can help keep the intellect sharp and may slow the effects of aging on cognition.
While video games are usually thought of as a waste of time, we know that not all video games are created equally. Action games may reduce gray matter in the brains of players, however, Civilization probably has more in common with chess than it does to popular “shoot ‘em up” games.
In fact, the games’ creator, Sid Meir, is heralded as a pioneer in introducing strategy into the video game world. Meir has spoken at length about how the first edition of Civilization was a big risk because no one knew for sure if there would be a market for that type of game. Lo and behold, the game helped define a whole new genre of fun, educational games that foster key life skills in gamers.
Meir put it best in an interview with the Guardian when he stated,
“That was the dirty little secret about our games: you actually do learn something. Young people enjoy learning, even if they don’t necessarily enjoy being educated. There’s a lot of satisfaction in learning something, and watching your skill increase and coming to understand the map of the Caribbean or how one discovery led to another.”
“Learning is going to be part of any good video game: it gives you interesting challenges, and you learn by doing, not by being passively taught something. Once you’ve played a game, you’re a little smarter, a little more skilled than when you started.”
One word of warning though, the game can be a bit addictive! I practically grew up on the Civilization series and I cannot tell you how many times I told myself “just one more turn.” The longterm thinking of the game gives players a drive to keep moving through history and reach the next milestone.
While I’ve logged more hours on the game than I should’ve some days, I credit the Civilization series with helping to foster my personal interest in civics and global affairs. So, there is no doubt in my mind that the game is a great tool to keep your skills sharp in a fun and low-stakes environment.
Skill-building – Headspace (Mindfulness Meditation)
Mindfulness meditation is perhaps one of the best ways for individuals to improve their personal and social wellbeing. It’s the number one activity I would recommend for children and adults. While silent meditation might seem like a far cry from civic engagement, research shows that meditation can improve mental health and social support systems.
The form of meditation known as “mindfulness” is likely one of the most studied forms of meditation. Research indicates that the technique is strongly correlated with better social wellbeing and higher quality social interactions. Thus, by taking the time to improve our own mental clarity we also improve our whole communities at the same time.
Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.
– Leo Tolstoy
I personally started meditating to deal with increased stress and anxiety when traveling. My life has drastically changed for the better because of the practice and I know many others with similar experiences. I also know many people who shy away from meditation and usually, it’s for one of two reasons – 1) it sounds religious or 2) silence or the practice itself somehow makes them feel anxious (initially).
Mindfulness meditation, though, does not need to be tied to any religion and can be a simple mental exercise to improve focus and mental clarity. While mindfulness meditation has roots in Buddhist traditions, the practice has been cultivated for secular and non-Buddhists audiences as well.
Some people (including myself) get anxious at the silence when they first start meditating. The act can feel like a chore or like you’re trying to wrestle your stream of consciousness into submission during the initial stages. Inevitably though, there comes a moment when it sinks in that the practice is not meant to be a struggle with your inner monologue, but rather a letting-go; a simple awareness of the present moment.
You may find after developing a routine that you begin craving silence and some meditation time. Based on my experiences, you may also discover that you have more energy and creativity in your day-to-day life after a few weeks or months of meditation.
The practice is simple but not easy. The only way you will get better at controlling your focus and awareness of the present moment is by practicing, though. One of the best ways to practice is by dedicating a small portion (even five minutes) every day to meditation. Find a regular time that’s convenient for you.
Each session should not be a measure of progress, though. It doesn’t matter how well you feel like your progressing, simply committing the time to practice every day will begin to shift your relationship with your thoughts and mental health.
The benefits of exercising this skill cannot be overstated and will likely seep into most areas of your life including relationships and professional life. Check out our post on social wellbeing and how to achieve it for more on this topic.
To learn mindfulness meditation, I always recommend the Headspace app. The app was my first real introduction into meditation and I used it for over a year before I grew into a personal practice.
Headspace, though, is the perfect tool for beginners and advanced meditators alike. The app was developed by Andy Puddcome who spent ten years training in Tibetan monasteries around Asia. He has the perfect voice to guide meditation, which is obviously crucial. The app has beautifully simple daily guides that can walk you through either general courses on getting started or months-long courses designed for specific topics such as illness and depression.
Headspace is a subscription service and upon hearing that many people hesitate and ask if it’s really worth it. I always reply that it costs about the same as a Netflix subscription. Netflix, though gives me a few hours of escape, while Headspace has brought longlasting changes and contentment into my life. So, yes. It’s worth it. You’re worth it.
Looking for more resources? Start here.
