Overview
Developed by the Center for Civic Education, the primary goal of We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution is to promote civic competence and responsibility among the nation's upper elementary and secondary students.
The We the People curriculum enhances students' understanding of the institutions of American constitutional democracy and helps them to identify the contemporary relevance of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The culminating activity is a simulated congressional hearing in which the entire class, working in cooperative teams, prepares and presents before a panel of community members who act as congressional committee members. The program provides students an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles while providing teachers with an excellent means of assessing performance.
Textbooks
We the People Elementary
The third edition of We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution for upper elementary students explores the history and principles of constitutional democracy in the United States. The text features a new section on the Electoral College, updated material on when it is fair and reasonable to limit free speech, and new and updated four-color graphics. The teacher's edition includes culminating performance assessment materials and a bibliography of children's literature.
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WTP Elementary Correlation to Michigan Content Expectations (PDF, 78 KB)
We the People Middle School
We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution for middle grades is composed of 6 units and 29 lessons that use critical-thinking exercises, cooperative-learning practices and a culminating authentic performance assessment to teach the history and principles of constitutional democracy.
We the People High School
The We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution high school textbook consists of 6 units with 39 lessons addressing principles of constitutional democracy and a culminating authentic performance assessment. Each set includes 30 student books and a teacher's edition that provides materials to enrich classroom learning. The We the People textbook is supported by a Resource Center.
WTP High School Correlation to Michigan Content Expectations (PDF, 3 MB)
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The Culminating Activity—Simulated Congressional Hearing
MCCE encourages elementary and secondary teachers to conduct simulated hearings at the classroom, school and community level. Participating teachers tell us that participating in the We the People Simulated Hearing provides students with a rigorous, active learning experience
Watch an elementary hearing video >
Watch a high school hearing video >
2012 We the People State Questions (PDF, 330 KB)
East Grand Rapids High School the 2011 We the People Champion
