Skip to main content

## Search

My Visit

Donate

Smithsonian Institution

## Site Navigation

- Visit   - Hours and Locations
  - Entry and Guidelines
  - Maps and Floor Plans
  - Dining and Shopping
  - Accessibility
  - Visiting with Kids
  - Group Visits     - Group Sales
- What's On   - Exhibitions     - Current
    - Upcoming
    - Past
  - Today's Events
  - Online Events
  - All Events
  - IMAX & Planetarium
- Explore   - Art & Design
  - History & Culture
  - Science & Nature
  - Collections     - Open Access
  - Research Resources     - Libraries
    - Archives       - Smithsonian Institution Archives
      - Air and Space Museum
      - Anacostia Community Museum
      - American Art Museum
      - Archives of American Art
      - Archives of American Gardens
      - American History Museum
      - American Indian Museum
      - Asian Art Museum Archives
      - Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, African Art
      - Hirshhorn Archive
      - National Anthropological Archives
      - National Portrait Gallery
      - Ralph Rinzler Archives, Folklife
      - Libraries' Special Collections
  - Podcasts
  - Mobile Apps
- Learn   - For Caregivers
  - For Educators     - Art & Design Resources
    - Science & Nature Resources
    - Social Studies & Civics Resources
    - Professional Development
    - Events for Educators
    - Field Trips
  - For Students
  - For Academics
  - For Lifelong Learners
- Get Involved   - Volunteer     - Behind-the-Scenes
    - Digital Volunteers
    - Smithsonian Call Center
    - Visitor Information Specialist
    - Docent Programs
  - Citizen Science
  - Work with Us     - Office of Human Resources       - Working Here
      - Employee Benefits
      - How to Apply
      - Job Opportunities
      - Job Seekers with Disabilities
      - Frequently Asked Questions
      - SI Civil Program
      - Contact Us
    - Affiliations
    - Global Partners
- Support   - About Membership
  - Become a Member
  - Renew Your Membership
  - Make a Gift
- About   - Museums and Zoo
  - Research Centers
  - Cultural Centers
  - Education
  - Our Organization     - Leadership       - Secretary Bunch
      - Advancement
      - Communications
      - Administration
      - Education
      - Museums and Culture
      - Science and Research
    - Board of Regents       - Members
      - Committees
      - Reading Room
      - Bylaws, Policies and Procedures
      - Contact
      - Schedules and Agendas
      - Meeting Minutes
      - Actions
      - Webcasts
    - General Counsel       - Legal History
      - Internships
      - Records Requests         - Reading Room
      - Tort Claim
      - Subpoenas & Testimonies
      - Events
    - Equal Employment Office       - EEO Complaint Process
      - Individuals with Disabilities
      - Special Emphasis Program
      - Supplier Diversity Program         - Doing Business with Us
        - Policies and Procedures
        - Additional Resources
    - Sponsored Projects       - Policies         - Animal Care and Use
        - Human Research
      - Reports
      - Internships
  - Reports and Plans     - Annual Reports
    - Metrics Dashboard       - Dashboard Home
      - Virtual Smithsonian
      - Public Engagement
      - National Collections
      - Research
      - People & Operations
      - One Smithsonian
    - Strategic Plan
  - Newsdesk     - News Releases
    - Media Contacts
    - Photos and Video
    - Media Kits
    - Fact Sheets
    - Visitor Stats
    - Secretary and Admin Bios
    - Filming Requests

# Educator Resources: Social Studies and Civics

The Smithsonian's goal for grades PK-12 social studies and civics resources is to provide a comprehensive and inclusive educational experience that fosters critical thinking, civic engagement, and a global perspective among students. These resources aim to empower learners to reach their full potential while simultaneously contributing to the overall well-being of the United States, both socially and culturally. To achieve these objectives, the Smithsonian employs a range of resources and media tailored to different grade levels, including videos, online materials, primary source documents, hands-on activities, and multimedia content. These resources are carefully designed to be age-appropriate and align with the specific curriculum standards for each grade. These are only a small representative of the wealth of civics resources the Smithsonian has to offer. 

## Grades PK–2 (Early Learners/Elementary)

       National Museum of American History  OurStory: Winning the Vote for Women
Read a recommended historical fiction book and then try fun activities to learn more about the people who earned the right to vote for women.

*Grades PK–2. Read-along book activity guides. *

       Smithsonian Learning Lab  My Beautiful Skin
Explore age-appropriate resources and activities for having conversations about race with young learners. 

*Grades PK–2. Learning Lab collection containing images, videos, and reflection questions.*

       National Portrait Gallery  Roger Shimomura: Young Portrait Explorers
Learn about artist Roger Shimomura and how he uses his paintings to express his identity (what makes someone unique).

*Grades PK–5. Learning Lab collection containing portraits, hands-on activities, and question prompts.  *

More Resources...

## Grades 3–5 (Primary)

       National Museum of the American Latino  ¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States
Engage with inspirational and informative stories that explore the American Latino experience. 

*Grades 3–8. PDF Activity Guide. *

       National Museum of American History  American Experiments: Ideals and Images
Play a game with a partner matching images that you think best represent American ideals. 

*Grades 3–5. Teaching facilitation guide. College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework-aligned. *

       The Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage  A Cultural Journey Across America
Journey across America with this story map and discover the rich diversity of cultures and artistic traditions that enliven our nation. 

*Grades 3–8. Interactive audio story map. *

More Resources...

## Grades 6–8 (Middle School)

       Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum  Design a Zine
Inspired by the way zines have amplified diverse voices, this collection explores how to craft a zine in celebration of our communities and identities.

*Grades 6–8. Learning Lab collection containing step-by-step instructions for constructing a Zine, student examples, as well as discussion and reflection prompts.*

       National Museum of American History  Teaching Japanese American Incarceration through Comics
Learn about the personal experiences of Japanese American incarcerees during World War II and will practice communicating information concisely by developing an original comic.

*Grades 5–8. Teaching facilitation guide. Common Core-aligned. *

       Smithsonian Learning Lab  Spotting Symbols in the Lansdowne Portrait of George Washington
Follow the clues to uncover the mysteries of the Lansdowne portrait at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. Each correct answer will help you learn something about George Washington and the portrait!

*Grades 4–6. Learning Lab collection containing portrait looking exercise, video, and critical thinking question annotations.*

More Resources...

## Grades 9–12 (High School)

       Smithsonian Folkways Recordings  Voices of Struggle
Listen and learn about the Civil Rights Movement through the music that shaped the era.

*Grades 9–12. Collection of historical recordings and contextual information.*

       National Museum of American History  The Star-Spangled Banner
Learn more about the Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired the U.S. national anthem. 

*Grades 9–12. Interactive website containing historical documents, audio recordings, and quiz questions. *

       National Portrait Gallery  Visualizing Democracy
Students will visualize democracy from the colonial era to the 21st century by analyzing portraits. 

*Grades 9–12. Learning Lab collection containing elements of portrait portrayal definitions, portraits, and critical thinking questions. *

More Resources...

## Extended Learning

Resources designed for use by K–12 teachers, afterschool program providers, families, and individuals interested in lifelong learning.

       National Museum of American History  Becoming US
Resources for teaching a more accurate and inclusive migration and immigration narrative.

*Teaching Resource including deliberation guides, essential understandings, primary documents.*

       National Museum of the American Indian  Native Knowledge 360° 
Share more about Native Peoples' vibrant, ongoing traditions and diverse cultures throughout the year with the museum's NK360° resources to bring new ways of thinking about Native Americans to your students with these classroom ready resources!

*Teaching Resource containing learning activities, artifacts, webinars, Professional Development opportunities, and resources.*

       National Museum of American History  Smithsonian's History Explorer
Explore history lessons, interactives, books, links and other educator resources from across the Smithsonian. 

*Teaching Resource containing a searchable database of American History learning activities, artifacts, and resources. *

More Resources...

                - For Caregivers
                - For Educators                   - Art & Design Resources
                  - Science & Nature Resources
                  - Social Studies & Civics Resources
                  - Professional Development
                  - Events for Educators
                  - Field Trips
                - For Students
                - For Academics
                - For Lifelong Learners

##       Footer logo      

Link to homepage

###       Footer navigation      

- Contact Us
- Accessibility
- Job Opportunities
- Inspector General
- Records Requests
- EEO & Supplier Diversity
- Shop Online
- Host Your Event
- Press Room
- Privacy
- Terms of Use

###       Social media links      

- Facebook
- Instagram
- Twitter
- YouTube

###       Email signup form      

(Privacy Policy, Terms of Use)

Back to Top