Civic Education in the Elementary Grades

As former elementary school teachers, the authors focus on what is possible in schools rather than a romantic vision of what schools could be. Based on a 5-year study of an elementary school, this book shows how civic engagement can be purposive and critical—a way to encourage young people to examine their environment, to notice and question injustices, and to take action to make a difference in their communities and school. Focusing on the intersection of student voice and critical inquiry, the book describes how to embed civic engagement into curriculum, school decisionmaking processes, and whole-school activities. Chapters provide an overview of what research has demonstrated about civic engagement at the classroom, school, and community levels, including detailed descriptions of activities and lessons for practice. Classroom teachers, school principals, community members, and teacher educators can use this resource to foster a deeper, richer understanding of what is entailed in civic life.

Book Features:

• A vivid portrait of a “typical” public school that wants to do more than teach to the test.
• An examination of the conditions that enable young people to participate in democratic practices, including identifying and questioning injustices.
• Concrete examples of student voice and critical inquiry in classroom contexts.
• Practices and activities that encourage children to get along with others, exchange perspectives, and work across differences.

Dana Mitra is associate professor of education in the department of education policy studies at The Pennsylvania State University. Stephanie C. Serriere is associate professor of social studies education at Indiana University–Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC).

"Mitra and Serriere provide theory, research, and sensible advice for practitioners regarding the importance of civic education in elementary schools. Grounded in concrete examples from a school that has internalized this commitment, they illuminate the diverse manifestations civic learning may take in schools." Journal of Education, Boston School of Education, Volume 196, Nov. 2nd, 2016

"Offers a suggestive range of evidence that high-quality civic engagement initiatives can enhance students’ academic, social, and emotional engagement. . . . It reveals the nitty-gritty of how experienced teachers can enable children who are immersed in meaningful civic work also to engage more deeply with mathematical problem-solving, peer collaboration, literacy and social studies learning, and development of empathy and mutual trust."
—From the Foreword by Meira Levinson, professor of education, Harvard Graduate School of Education

"Mitra and Serriere show us not only that elementary-aged children are capable of civic engagement, but how such engagement can be nurtured in the classroom. Children can be active civic participants; this book demonstrates both the power of this idea and how we might accomplish this essential task."
—Beth C. Rubin, Ph.D, professor of social studies education at Rutgers University, author of Making Citizens: Transforming Civic Learning for Diverse Social Studies Classrooms