Our Back-to-School Basics series is the perfect way to welcome the new school year!
This series explores the important philosophical ideas and historical events that influenced the writing of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights that are foundational to a strong civic education.
Each episode below contains a video, quiz, and script. 60-Second Civics makes a great warmup activity for your classroom!
Here is an easy and fun way to get your students started each morning:
- Select an episode from the list below each day for one week.
- Play the video for your class by projecting it on the board.
- Ask students to answer the Daily Civics question as a class.
- Debrief the activity by asking students why the correct answer is true.
An Adventure in Ideas with We the People: Back-to-School Basics, Part 1
The history of the American people has been a great adventure in ideas and in trying to make these ideas a reality. Over the next few weeks, 60-Second Civics will explore the important philosophical ideas and historical events that influenced the writing of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights as part of our Back-to-School Basics series!
The American Founders: Back-to-School Basics, Part 2
The American Founders drew on a number of basic ideas and experiences to create the kind of government they believed would best protect the natural rights of Americans and promote the common good. Get introduced to some of the Founders in today’s episode!
Portraits of Some American Founders: Back-to-School Basics, Part 3
Who were the American Founders? Learn more about some of the people who laid the groundwork for the country we live in today!
Opportunities in the Early American Colonies: Back-to-School Basics, Part 4
Many new arrivals viewed colonial America in the 1770s as a land of opportunity. What made the "new world" such an enticing opportunity? Learn why in this episode!
Native Americans and Colonial America: Back-to-School Basics, Part 5
The American colonists were not the first people on the North American continent. In fact, Native Americans had lived on the continent for at least 24,000 years before them. Listen to today’s episode to learn a little more about Native Americans during colonial times!
The Diversity of the American Colonies: Back-to-School Basics, Part 6
The American colonists were not the first people on the North American continent. In fact, Native Americans had lived on the continent for at least 24,000 years before them. Listen to today’s episode to learn a little more about Native Americans during colonial times!
Agriculture in Colonial America: Back-to-School Basics, Part 7
Most Americans during the colonial period lived in small villages or on farms. About ninety percent of American colonists were farmers. The size of farms varied widely, from small plots of land in New England to immense plantations in the South with thousands of acres. Listen to this episode for more about agriculture in colonial times!
Trades and Land Speculation in the American Colonies: Back-to-School Basics, Part 8
While most Americans during the colonial period were farmers, others followed various trades, working as brickmakers, carpenters, printers, sailors, shoemakers, and even wigmakers, among other professions. Listen to this podcast to learn more about these colonial careers!
Who Influenced the American Founders? Back-to-School Basics, Part 9
While the American founders were influenced by many sources, ancient influences from Greek and Roman traditions were especially notable. Learn more about those that influenced the foundations of the U.S. in this episode!
William Blackstone’s Influence on the American Founders: Back-to-School Basics Part 10
William Blackstone’s explanations of English law, published between 1765 and 1769, were incredibly influential on the formation of basic rights in America. Listen to this episode to learn more!
Back-to-School Basics Playlist
We hope you've enjoyed the Back-to-School Basics series from 60-Second Civics. Feel free to check out our YouTube playlist for a playable list of all episodes in the series.
