How to Use the National Civics Bee Study Guide
The National Civics Bee® is an annual competition that inspires young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. The Bill of Rights Institute created this study guide to assist students participating in the competition. This guide invites you to explore the principles, history, and institutions that form the foundation of our government and civil society. Use it as an introduction to civics and to prepare for the National Civics Bee!
0:00 If you’re preparing for the next round of the National Service, be or just want to learn more about civics, you’ve come to the right place. Competition is a great way to test your knowledge, develop new skills, and better understand the ideas and events that shape how our country works. This study guide was created by the Bill of Rights Institute.
0:22 We are an organization dedicated to educating students like you about civics. Any time you prepare for a big test, it can feel like a lot, but don’t worry. This study guide is here to help. In this video, we’ll walk you through how to use the study guide step by step.
0:43 We’ll show you where to find each resource, including additional tools available on the Bill of Rights Institute’s website. By using these resources, you’ll be set up for success. The study guide is divided into ten topics, each covering a key aspect of civics. These topics provide a comprehensive view of the principles, events,
1:08 and people that have shaped our country and communities. Here’s what you’ll find in each topic. Each topic begins with an introduction that offers an overview of the topic, giving you a sense of what to expect and why it’s important. Essential and guiding questions. These questions are designed to encourage deeper thinking
1:30 and invite you to really engage with the topic. They’ll help you think critically and connect to the material. ideas. This section highlights the most important concepts, terms, and events you’ll need to know. Primary sources Explore historical documents and writings that give you direct insight into the people and events that have shaped our country.
1:54 Resources and activities. Each topic concludes with activities and additional resources to help you apply what you’ve learned. These might include discussion prompts, writing tasks, or practice questions to test your understanding. Let’s take a closer look at topic three. The American Experiment as an example.
2:15 Each topic begins with an introduction written in an essay form to give you an overview for topic three. The introduction explains how ideas like protecting individual rights helped shape the design of our government, and how it functions today. When reading an introduction, pay attention to headings and subheadings.
2:38 These will help you organize your study sessions and focus on the most important points. Now let’s move on to the essential and guiding questions. These questions are tools to guide your learning and make connections to real world ideas, but they serve slightly different purposes.
2:58 Essential questions focus on the big picture. They encourage you to think about overarching ideas and principles. For example, one question in topic three asks what principles define the American experiment in self-government? Guiding questions are more specific. They help you explore the details and key ideas within the topic.
3:22 For example, topic three asks what ideals motivated the American Revolution? See how the guiding questions are more specific than the overarching essential question. As you study, take time to reflect on both types of questions. Writing down your thoughts or discussing them with someone else
3:43 can help you deepen your understanding and prepare for the competition. Next, let’s explore the key ideas. These foundational concepts help you focus on what you need to know to understand the topics. For example, in topic three, The American Experiment. The key ideas are the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
4:05 As you study these key ideas, consider how they connect to the essential and guiding questions. Taking notes or creating flashcards can help you remember important details and deepen your understanding. Moving on to primary sources. These original documents give you direct connection to the people and events that shaped history.
4:28 They help deepen your understanding of the ideas and debates that influenced our government, preparing you for civic life and the national civic spirit. To help you analyze these primary sources, we’ve created pages. These pages include the essential text of the primary source and space to take notes, identify key ideas,
4:50 and reflect on the historical context and significance of each document. Additionally, for some primary sources, we’ve included organizers to help you record your research. For example, the organizer for Supreme Court cases allows you to track the historical context, details, decisions, and impact
5:13 as you work through the primary sources. Use these tools to organize your thoughts and connect what you’re learning to the key ideas and guiding questions. For example, you might analyze historic events, watch videos that explain key concepts,
5:37 discuss real world applications of civic principles, or complete writing prompts based on primary sources. These lessons are designed to deepen your understanding of important ideas while helping you make connections across the content. As you explore these activities, take your time to reflect on how they relate to the topics, key ideas, and essential questions.
6:01 Using these resources is a great way to practice what you’ve learned and build confidence as you prepare for the competition to get ready for the competition. Here are some study techniques to help you feel confident and prepared. Create flashcards for key terms, concepts, and people from the study guide. On one side, write the term and on the other.
6:24 Write the definition or explanation. Quiz yourself or ask a friend or family member to test you. The study guide includes practice questions. Try answering them under time conditions to mimic the competition. Setting team up with classmates or friends who are also interested in civics. Discuss the essential and guiding questions.
6:46 Quiz each other and share insights to reinforce your knowledge. After reviewing a topic, summarize what you’ve learned in your own words. Better yet, teach the concepts to someone else. Teaching is one of the best ways to solidify understanding. Explore the Bill of Rights Institute’s website for videos, activities, and
7:07 quizzes. These can complement your study guide and help clarify challenging topics. Spread out your study sessions over time instead of cramming. Regular review helps you retain information better and builds confidence
7:50 Preparing for the National Civics B is an incredible opportunity to grow your knowledge and skills while exploring the foundations of our democracy. By using the study guide, engaging with the activities, and practicing regularly, you’re setting yourself up for success. Remember, this journey is about more than just winning.
8:13 It’s about understanding the principles that shape our country and discovering your role in making a difference. Good luck. Have fun and stay curious. You’ve got this.
This Study Guide is intended solely as a preparation resource. It provides an overview of competition structure and content but does not constitute the official Competition Rules. All competition procedures, formats and advancement criteria are governed by the applicable Competition Rules and may be modified as necessary. In the event of any inconsistency, the Competition Rules control.
