There are plenty of resources on the internet that might help you develop your civic knowledge. Here are some of them. Check them out and spend time in each of them. I don’t necessarily endorse anything by displaying a link to it.
But I want you to notice what you’re not getting at these sites. They all tell you what to think, but few of them help you discern the truth. The profiles of the founding fathers create the impression that all 55 men were role models. But they weren’t. A few of the founders were scoundrels. The links that enumerate the promises of the Constitution don’t evaluate whether those promises are kept in modern American life. You need to learn to do that for yourself.
All the large headers are hot links that will take you to the site. Click on them!
American Constitution Society
An association of American lawyers and law students dedicated to promoting the Constitution. This organization is headed by former Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold and takes a progressive stance on most issues.
Annenberg Classroom
Educational resources for middle and high school teachers to use in their classroom.
C-SPAN Video Library
Portal to search thousands of hours of C-SPAN video showing American sausage in the making.
Center for C-SPAN Scholarship & Engagement
Archives of C-SPAN Congressional Proceedings. Warehoused at Purdue University.
Center for Civic Education
A nonprofit organization based in California that promotes “an enlightened and responsible citizenry committed to democratic principles and actively engaged in the practice of democracy in the United States and other countries.”
Civics Education Initiative
A subsidiary of the Joe Foss Institute.
Constitution Facts
An extensive website managed by Oak Hill Publishing company. The site promotes sales of their pocket Constitution, but also provided lots of information for free.
Constitution Leadership Initiative
A group based in Virginia that strives to keep citizens thinking and talking about the Constitution and civic issues. This organization can arrange for “James Madison” to visit your school or community group and talk about the Constitution.
Department of Homeland Security
Another government agency. It directs you to the USCIS site.
Joe Foss Institute
A nonprofit organization devoted to promoting patriotism in schools. Joe Foss was a fighter pilot in World War II, and the Institute is based on the notion that old soldiers inspire students to patriotism.
National Archives
US government agency responsible for preserving the actual US Constitution and other historic documents. This is the building that Nicolas Cage burglarizes in the National Treasure movie.
National Constitution Center
A nonprofit organization created by Congress to promote the US Constitution through education, discussion and research.
New American Workforce Portal / Citizenship Works
A site that appears to promote good citizenship, but, on closer inspection, exists to expidite cheap labor for Walmart. (Ugh!)
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
A US government one-stop shop for preparing to become a US citizen.
We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution
A coalition of organizations promoting textbooks and other educational resources for elementary and secondary schools. According to the testimony of one enthusiastic participant, “[I]t taught me how to learn, how to think, how to work on a team, how to be a friend, how to speak in public, how to listen, how to write, how to take constructive criticism, how to give it, how to believe in myself, how to rely on others, how to compete with dignity, and how to...you name it.”
