Classroom Internet Library

General Civics Resources

Tolerence.org
Find out if you have any hidden biases with a series of tests created by psychologists at Yale University and the University of Washington that measure unconscious bias. You can test for bias in race, gender, age, sexual orientation, American identity, and body image. The site from the Southern Poverty Law Center also features sections on deconstructing biased language, hidden bias in images, tolerance in the news, tracking hate groups, and finding the truth in hate music, and hate web sites. Visit the Kids section, Planet Tolerance, for true stories of key players in the Civil Rights Movement, add you art work to the One World Mural, or create a personalized storybook about friendship.
Intended Audience: Children, Teens, Adults Reading Level: Elementary-High School Teacher Section: Yes Teen Section: Yes Kid Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids
Ben Franklin is your guide at this site that explores U.S. history, geography, civics, and citizenship from the U.S. Government Printing Office. With separate guides designed specifically for grades K-2; 3-5; 6-8; and 9-12, the site can be used by students of all ages. In additions to sections on our nation; how laws are made; the branches of government; the election process; and citizenship, you will also find interactive games and activities.
Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Varies Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: No

Kids in the House
Learn about role the Office of the Clerk plays in the U.S. House of Representatives and learn about the legislative process and its effect on citizens. You can find out how laws are made, go back in time and learn about important events that have taken place on the floor of the House, learn about some of the people who have served in the U.S. House of Representatives, or try your hand at a House trivia game. You will also find a collection of lesson plans.
Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary, Middle Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: No

A Century of Lawmaking For a New Nation
This site from the Library of Congress brings together online the records and acts of Congress from the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention through the 43rd Congress, including the first three volumes of the Congressional Record , 1873-75.
Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

American Law Sources Online
This site provides a comprehensive, uniform, and useful compilation of links to freely accessible on-line sources of law. You can browse laws by state, access recent court decisions, and read state constitutions. In addition you can access information about Canadian law and get an overview of the U.S., Mexican, and Canadian legal system.
Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Varies Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Life in the White House
Celebrating the West Wing's 100th anniversary, this online presentation from the White House provides a look at life and work in the White House from the people that live and work there. You can take a tour of the Press Room with Ari Fleisher; look at the Roosevelt Room with Andy Card; or take a tour of the Oval Office with President Bush. In addition you can take a panoramic tour of rooms in the White House with 360 degree movies; and learn about some of the art and furnishing in the White House with White House Curator William Allman.
Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary Teacher Section: No Searchable: No

White House for Kids
Take a tour of the White House with Flat Stanley, test your White House and American history knowledge with a quiz, find out about life in the White House, read about the Presidents and print out coloring sheets for them, or play some games.
Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary Teacher Section: No Searchable: No

National Archive and Records Administration
You'll find a wide variety of primary source documents and resources here. The Federal Register contains the full text of Federal regulations, public laws and Presidential documents. The Exhibit Hall features collections documents and artifacts of American history from the Declaration of Independence to an exhibit on Elvis Presley's 1970 meeting with Richard Nixon.
Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Varies Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Political Money Line
Find where the money is coming from and who the money is going to at this site that tracks campaign contributions and finances. You can search the site by individual politician, PAC, or donor at this site from three former Federal Election Commission staffers.
Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Inside Parliament
Learn how the British Parliament works at this site for students. For easy navigation, go to the site guide. You'll find activities, fact sheets, and games throughout the site. There is a special Junior Parliament section for students under 12.
Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Varies Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Parliament Live
Learn how the British government works at this site where you can view live web casts or listen to live audio feeds from the British House of Lords, Commons, or Westminster Hall.
Intended Audience: General Reading Level: N/A Teacher Section: No Searchable: No

Death of the Father
What impact not only the death but the symbolic treatment of a dictator have on a country? This site from Cornell's Institute for Digital Collections uses the deaths of Tito, Stalin, Hitler, Hirohito, Mussolini, and Ceausescu to explore the question.
Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: No

Capitol Spotlight
Keep tabs on what is happening on Capitol Hill at this up-to-date overview of what's going on in Congress at this site from C-Span.
Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: No

Enacting of a Law
This site from the Library of Congress provides detailed information on how a bill becomes a law.
Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: No