To help support teachers’ use of the citizenship test in their classroom, ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Institute is conducting a special lesson plan contest for elementary and secondary teachers.
Image: John Trumbull, The Declaration of Independence, 1786–1820 (Yale University Art Gallery)
Up to ten $1,000 prize winners
Grades K–12
Teachers have the opportunity to share a single class period lesson plan, creatively using questions from the citizenship test as an activity or assessment. This lesson can focus on specific questions on the exam, or using the exam more broadly as a tool to understand citizenship and naturalization. The lesson can be one that teachers have used year over year in their classroom, or one that they are creating specifically for this contest.
A jury of master teachers recruited by GLI will review each entry and determine the winners. Entries will be evaluated based on the clarity of the objective, rationale, and methodology, alignment to standards, creativity and engagement, and differentiation for diverse learners. Teachers’ work will be reviewed and judged at their respective grade levels (Grades K–8 and Grades 9–12). Winners will be notified in early September and announced on September 15, ahead of Constitution Day (also known as Citizenship Day), September 17.
Use the full version of the citizenship test on our website to get a sense of what is on the exam.
Our resource suite includes a library of short videos explaining key topics connected to questions on the citizenship test, featuring eminent historians and content experts in the field.
Submit your lesson by August 7.