Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

Civics for All of US is the new national civic education initiative from the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum and the National Archives.Our mission is to build civic literacy and engagement by providing exemplary civic education resources and programs for all ages using the records of the U.S. Government. Civics for All of US delivers thought-provoking educational programs and powerful educational resources to the public, regardless of their proximity to a National Archives facility. Each program is led by one of our educators located at National Archives sites, the Center for Legislative Archives, and Presidential Libraries across the country.

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Current Offerings

Live, interactive distance learning programs are available for groups of 10 or more students free of charge. Programs take a hands-on approach to the founding documents of the United States, using the holdings of the National Archives to explore the big ideas of the Constitution and Bill of Rights and promoting the knowledge and skills students need for civic engagement in the 21st century. Teacher guides for each program provide additional pre- and post program activities for classroom use. Request your program today.

Available Student Programs

The Constitution Rules!
(Grades K–2)
30 minutes
Students will explore the idea of different responsibilities in their community and analyze images that highlight the jobs of the three branches of government as outlined in the Constitution.

Make Your Voice Count: Learning About the First Amendment
(Grades K–2)
30 minutes
Students will explore the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights using primary historical sources to learn about the importance of rights and how to exercise their freedoms.

The Constitution and Our Community
(Grades 3–5)
30 minutes
Students will explore the idea of community, hone their primary source analysis skills by examining government records, and connect the Constitution to their own lives.

The First Amendment: Five Rights in One
(Grades 3–5)
45 minutes
Students will explore the First Amendment freedoms from the Bill of Rights in this interactive and engaging civics program based on historical primary sources from the National Archives. Students will learn about the importance of First Amendment rights, identify examples in photographs and short written documents, and discover how to exercise those freedoms.

Voting Rights, The Constitution & Representative Government
(Grades 6–8)
30-60 minutes
Using the Constitution, constitutional amendments, and legislation, students will explore the progression of voting rights in the United States and its impact on representative government. Additional primary source documents from the National Archives, including photographs and political cartoons, will enhance student understanding of the ways in which contemporary events and public civic engagement influence their lives today.

The Bill of Rights Protects You
(Grades 6–12)
45-60 minutes
Students will explore the Bill of Rights and how it outlines both limits on government and the rights of the people. We will work together to analyze three case studies that underscore the remedies that citizens can use to address instances where their rights have been violated. This program will introduce students to the Bill of Rights and strengthen their civic understanding.

No Conscription Without Representation: Voting Rights and the Constitution
(Grades 9–12)
30-60 minutes
Using the Constitution, constitutional amendments, legislation, and a Supreme Court case, students will explore the progression of voting rights in the United States with particular focus on the effort to lower the voting age to 18. Additional primary source documents from the National Archives, including photographs, video recordings, and political cartoons, will enhance student understanding of the ways in which contemporary events and public civic engagement influence their lives today.

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Available Teacher Workshops

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