A complete digital textbook: free, standards-informed, and designed by teachers for teachers.

Share the inner workings of U.S. governance with your students. Start using Government and Politics: Civics for the American Experiment and demonstrate the power we all hold in shaping it.

What's Inside the Resource?

Each chapter centers on an Inquiry Organizer, your turnkey teaching backbone. It outlines objectives, background resources, and assessments, ensuring your lessons remain structured while encouraging open discussion. Educators can use Government and Politics: Civics for the American Experiment to: Lead inquiry-based discussions that meet AP standards Differentiate for multiple reading levels Encourage evidence-based writing Connect history lessons to civic virtue and character

Resource Overview

Government & Politics: Civics for the American Experiment is an online, digital civics curriculum resource for high school students. It offers a dynamic and comprehensive approach to teaching the nature, foundations, structure, and purpose of American Constitutional government. Through a blend of theoretical exploration and real-world application, students will engage with complex content while honing critical citizenship skills through game-based learning activities. With diverse components, including case studies, primary sources, point-counterpoints, and multimedia elements, this resource equips teachers with versatile tools to foster deep understanding and active participation in civic society.

This resource is:

• adaptable for AP U.S. History and college prep U.S. History.
• ready to add to any LMS.
• sequenced for use in full-year or half-year courses.
• a fully comprehensive textbook, featuring full alignment to the College Board's AP Government exam.

Design & Features

• This resource is designed to serve as the primary textbook for a government classroom or as a supportive resource. It also fully aligns with the College Board's Government & Politics framework.
• The Bill of Rights Institute staff, in conjunction with the scholar community, wrote, edited, and reviewed the resource. The Institute holds itself to this statement of Academic Integrity.
• This resource bridges the gap between political theory and reality, demystifying government and emphasizing the relationship between principles and practice. Focusing on the American Experiment in Self-Governance empowers students to understand their role as citizens and actively participate in civil society.
• This resource, which includes case studies, primary sources, and point-counterpoints, offers a comprehensive and dynamic learning experience. It is supplemented by videos and current events updates to ensure relevance and engagement.
• Integrated game-based learning strategies empower students to practice citizenship skills while delving deep into complex content. Through interaction, students gain a nuanced understanding of governmental structures and processes and develop critical thinking, decision-making, and collaboration skills essential for effective civic engagement.
• It incorporates the College Board's AP Government and Politics framework alongside BRI’s Principles and Virtues framework, providing a robust foundation for in-depth exploration and critical analysis.
• This textbook is the first free Government and Politics resource aligned with AP standards. It is openly licensed for use by students or educators and is available to anyone.

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