Civic engagement begins in the classroom. In school, students get a foundation for how to become active citizens in their communities. To prepare students to be informed, civic-minded adults, TCI’s latest edition of Government Alive! Power, Politics, and You includes video-based inquiry projects called Political Inquiries.
Check Out an Example of a Political Inquiry
Each unit in Government Alive! provides a Political Inquiry. The Political Inquiry frames the unit and includes a video-based storyline that captures students’ attention and motivates them to learn the contents of the unit. The unit begins with the video. In the video, students are presented with a scenario and interesting political questions. They are asked to take on the role of policy advisers, cabinet members, or simply a citizen of a community.
Want to see an example of a Political Inquiry video? Watch this video that opens Government Alive!’s Political Participation and Behavior unit.
After watching the video that introduces the Political Inquiry, students go through the lessons in the unit where they attain background knowledge for the inquiry project. By the end of the unit, students are ready to take on the Political Inquiry.
The Political Inquiry takes students through the inquiry arc. Students examine real-world scenarios, ask compelling questions, conduct research, evaluate sources, draw evidence-based conclusions, and make plans to take informed action.
Through this process, students develop civic skills and become self-directed learners. Students gain a deeper understanding of political issues and practice ways to navigate the U.S. political system. The Political Inquiries help students become civically engaged, informed members of the community.
Stay Tuned for More on Civic Education
Want to get more resources for teaching civics and social studies? Sign up for TCI’s newsletter to stay in the know.
