To help support teachers’ use of the citizenship test in their classroom, ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Institute conducted a special lesson plan contest for elementary and secondary school teachers.
Read the winning entries from 2025 below.
Image: John Trumbull, The Declaration of Independence, 1786–1820 (Yale University Art Gallery)
Ten prize winners
K–12 Teachers
Teachers had the opportunity to share a single class period lesson plan, creatively using questions from the citizenship test as an activity or assessment. The direction was to focus on specific questions on the exam, or on using the exam more broadly as a tool to understand citizenship and naturalization. The lesson plan could be one that teachers have used year over year in their classroom, or one created specifically for this contest.
A jury of master teachers recruited by GLI reviewed each entry and determined the winners. Entries were evaluated based on the clarity of the objective, rationale, and methodology, alignment to standards, creativity and engagement, and differentiation for diverse learners. Teachers’ work was reviewed and judged at their respective grade levels (Grades K–8 and Grades 9–12).
Congratulations to our inaugural Building Better Citizens contest winners! Review the winning lessons linked below.
| Place | Name | Lesson Title | Intended Grade Level | School | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Colin Richardson | Participating in Democracy | 9–12 | Green Hope High School | NC |
| 2nd | Megan Berry | Citizen Builders: Laying the Foundations for a More Perfect Union | 9–12 | Abilene High School | KS |
| 2nd | Bridget Riley | Creating a Better Citizenship Test | 7 | Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart | MD |
| 3rd | Kate Ehrlich | Is the Federal Tribal Recognition Process Fair? | 9–12 | Oakdale High School | MD |
| 3rd | Thomas Fulbright | Becoming American | 9–12 | Hope Street Academy | KS |
| 3rd | Jennifer Horne | Bringing the U.S. Constitution to Life: Video Vignettes | 8 | San Jacinto Leadership Academy | CA |
| 3rd | Shabana Saeed | How to Participate in a Democracy | 3 | PS 230 Doris L. Cohen | NY |
| 3rd | Karley Sessoms | Understanding the Pledge of Allegiance: History and Meaning | 4 | Murch Elementary School | DC |
| 3rd | Gene Rose Velasco | Understanding U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization | 6 | Dishchii'bikoh Community School | AZ |
| 3rd | Catherine Womble | Democracy Draft Day | 9–12 | Bolton Academy | LA |
Check back in the spring for submission guidelines for the next contest.
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.
Take a look at the Citizenship Challenge: Redesigning America’s Citizenship Test contest, made for students to creatively showcase their understanding of American history, civics, and the naturalization exam.