iCivics is a non-profit organization, founded and led by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, dedicated to reinvigorating civic learning through interactive and engaging learning resources that empower teachers and prepare the next generation of students to become knowledgeable and engaged citizens. The goal of iCivics is to provide students with the tools they need for active participation and democratic action and teachers with the materials and support to achieve this. Free resources include printable lesson plans, award-winning games and digital interactives. Click on the logo above to be taken to the iCivics website.
Quality: ✰✰
Accuracy: ✰✰✰✰
Effectiveness: ✰✰✰
The site is user friendly and divided between student use and teacher use. I couldn't give it a high quality rating as the games page was sorely lacking in graphics and was highly text-dependent. None of the games that I clicked on were working, but maybe the site was under maintenance since the school year is over for most students. As the organization was founded and is led by a former Supreme Court judge I have to give it full stars on the accuracy rating. Also since it has received awards and is used in all 50 states I believe it to be mostly effective, however the lack of graphics on the student page will be a turn off to elementary-aged children. In spite of the short coming on graphics there is a wealth of resources available for teachers with webquests, lesson plans, and curriculum units available in addition to those student-loved games. All lessons are linked to standards for all fifty states in a searchable database. Teachers also have the ability to keep tabs on student learning through a tracking and monitoring feature.
Considerations for Exceptional Learners:
Google Translate can be used for students not adept in English. In the game called Immigration Nation students learn how people become citizens of the United States, which is useful and authentic information for ELL's. There is also a Teaching section on International Affairs, including lessons on Diplomacy, Conflict and Cooperation, and International Organizations.
Using the lesson plans as a starting point teachers can use graphic organizers, cloze notes, or outlines to guide students through the lessons. If students are paired with a non-disabled learning buddy they can watch and learn how to navigate and play the games. Since the games and lessons are all sorted by level, students can be guided to play games and study lessons that are differentiated according to their skills and abilities.
With so many options on the iCivics website if students finish a lesson quickly they have many other clickable options to explore while others continue their work. WebQuests that guide students to primary source documents can be a starting point for further research into topics of interest that can be investigated through primary sources. Also, since lessons and games are leveled, students can work on projects written for a level appropriate to their understanding of the world.