New Book Addresses Civic Illiteracy
Civics education is “on the books” in all 50 states, yet civic
illiteracy is widespread. Only one third of 12th graders are able to explain
the significance of the Declaration of Independence and fewer than half of 8th
graders know the purpose of the Bill of Rights. This instructional guide,
Teaching Civics in the Library: An Instructional and Historical
Guide for School and Public Librarians by Renee Critcher Lyons,
explores the foundations of civics education—and the reasons for its
demise—with commentary from civics education leaders and scholars across the
nation.
Questions for eliciting civics discussion are provided for all grade levels, along with detailed civic action and service projects and reading plans. Best practices and grant writing options are included. The author argues for a return to early 20th century civics education and details the traditional and present-day role of America’s libraries in developing a civic minded populace. School and public librarians are urged to utilize trade books and carefully evaluated websites to integrate civics within educational and youth services offerings.
Questions for eliciting civics discussion are provided for all grade levels, along with detailed civic action and service projects and reading plans. Best practices and grant writing options are included. The author argues for a return to early 20th century civics education and details the traditional and present-day role of America’s libraries in developing a civic minded populace. School and public librarians are urged to utilize trade books and carefully evaluated websites to integrate civics within educational and youth services offerings.
The chapter for Grades 5-6 is devoted solely to activities based on the NCBLA's award-winning anthology Our
White House: Looking In, Looking Out, providing discussion prompts,
civic action, and civic service ideas (based in the AASL standards).
Be sure to check out Teaching Civics in the Library AND Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out at a library or bookstore near you!
