Action Civics Programs

Practices to Engage Students in Civic Education Across the Curriculum

“Becoming Active Citizens offers the tools and strategies educators need to help students become difference makers, problem solvers, and critical community informants as they address realworld issues and local challenges. I highly recommend this book for anyone who cares about democratic institutions, student apathy, and deeper, more active learning.”

—SCOTT MCLEOD, Professor of Educational Leadership, University of Colorado Denver; Founding Director, CASTLE

“In Becoming Active Citizens, authors Tom Driscoll and Shawn W. McCusker demonstrate their deep passion and expertise in providing civic education and empowering students to play active roles in their communities and society at large. This book is your road map to delivering modern, active civic education to students by discovering ways to upskill your civics understanding, incorporate civics across the curriculum, and provide creative methods for students to become involved in civic education.”

—MICHAEL COHEN, Educator, Designer, and Cofounder of Ed3 Educators

“Tom Driscoll and Shawn W. McCusker provide educators with a comprehensive and actionable guide to ensure that this generation of citizens thinks global and acts local. By sharing how schools can engage students in action civics projects that go beyond teaching government systems to experiences where they gain the knowledge, skills, and mindset to make a difference, we can rest assured that democracy will continue to thrive in today’s complex and global world.”

—SABBA QUIDWAI, CEO, Designing Schools

Without high-quality, updated civic education, students lack the skills and knowledge to effectively participate in a democracy. In Becoming Active Citizens: Practices to Engage Students in Civic Education Across the Curriculum, authors Tom Driscoll and Shawn W. McCusker provide K–12 teachers and leaders with proven tools and strategies to reimagine civic education for the 21st century. This resource offers engaging activities, technological resources, and authentic learning experiences for empowering students to participate in civil discourse as it and other aspects of civic life evolve. Readers will: • Understand how to transform civic education so it prepares students to become active citizens • Discover how to weave civics instruction throughout the curriculum to create authentic, interdisciplinary learning experiences • Learn how to create opportunities for teaching democratic values through productive civil discourse • Explore digital games and competitions as means to enhance students’ engagement in and understanding of civics ISBN 978-1-952812-93-4 9 0 0 0 0 • Gain examples of effective civics lessons for various grade levels and subject areas